Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:30:32 EDT
Reply-To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Filler Valve, standard
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 26/08/2008 10:08:09 P.M. Central Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
Wes, see my _VW Vanagon Westfalia Dometic Fridge Maintenace_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/fridge.htm) to get your fridge working again. It
should stay lit while driving, if not there is a leak in the intake / exhaust /
firebox system. The service valve can only leak at the stem or the over
pressure relief valve. If it's leaking any where at full open or full closed it
is defective and needs replaced. The regulator has an over pressure relief
valve and they sometime stick open and leak so the regulator needs to be
replaced. These parts are readily available from most any good RV parts
department that services propane on an RV. I always have them in stock. See my
_Vanagon Items Forsale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/sales.htm) "Westfalia
Camper Parts" Propane service parts" webpage >
Filler Valve, standard - $37.95
Service outlet valve, AS11C - $59.95
Bleeder valve - $9.95
Regulator - $26.95
>>>>>>>>We just got back from a cross country trip (see separate email) and
had to
run the fridge on DC while driving since it wouldn't stay lit on propane
while moving, even though it used to. I had recently carried out some
fridge maintenance (air pump upgrade, clean combustion chamber, and install
bigger and quieter fan), and so I assumed I must have messed something up,
and would have to remove the fridge again to try some trial-and-error
troubleshooting.
But then, we ran out of propane, and when we went to fill up, the propane
attendant said it only took 1.1 gallons or so. Our tank has a manual
fill+bleeder valve system. I knew this was low but he said he was sure it
was full, so I drove off puzzled. Then, I got concerned, as I started
getting the distinct whiff some propane while driving. When I pulled over
to check it out, I found that the emergency vent on the propane shutoff
valve (not the regulator) was leaking in spurts, especially while driving.
It continued to do this for a while, but after while it quieted down and
seemed not to leak to much more. Here is my wild theory about how all of
this fits together:
Obviously, the vent is bad. I'm thinking that maybe it is defective in a
way that makes it unable to hold back liquid propane. So, whenever the
propane guy had put in enough propane that liquid was at the level of the
shutoff valve, lots of stuff started coming out. Maybe this happened around
1.1 gallons, and he mistook it for liquid coming out of the bleeder valve,
and decided the tank was full.
If this is the case, then the idea is that when driving around, the liquid
sloshes, and whenever it gets up against the vent, the vent opens for a
second and lots of propane escapes. I'm thinking that maybe this venting
creates enough of a pressure drop that the fridge flame goes out.
So what do people think... sounds plausible?
In any case, I think the vent is bad, so I need to replace this shutoff
valve. Anybody know where I can get one without buying a whole new
tank?<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 12 ~ 15, 2008
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