Date:         Fri, 3 Apr 1998 19:51:55 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark McCulley <raven@HALCYON.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Mark McCulley <raven@HALCYON.COM>
Subject:      report on renewing propane system
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

This past week I renewed (I love this British term) the propane system on my
87 Westfalia. I had been occasionally smelling propane outside of the van
and suspected a propane leak. Here's what I did:

Replaced main POL valve ($38)
Replaced regulator ($22)
Rebuilt auto-stop valve ($12)

In addition, I cleaned the tank, touched up a couple of minor rust spots
with paint and applied a rubberized undercoating to the bottom and ends of
the tank (without covering the certification/data plate). This will prevent
rocks from chipping the paint off the tank so easily.

I purchased the POL valve and a rebuild kit for the auto-stop valve from
Euro-American RV (formerly Delta 6), the original distributer of much of the
camping hardware for Westfalias. The rebuild kit consists of several rubber
O-rings, some special lubricant for the piston, a fine-mesh screen for the
fill opening, and detailed instructions. I think you can get the POL valve
(made by Sherwood) and regulator (made by Marshall) from any RV supply or
propane equipment dealer. If you replace your regulator, be sure to get a
double-stage regulator. I replaced a single-stage regulator that the
previous owner had installed.

After getting everything back together and back on the van (and checking for
leaks of course), I have noticed a couple differences from how the system
behaved previously:

1. The auto-stop valve didn't spew propane into the air when filling as it
did previously. Could have been the way the attendant filled it, but the
auto-stop valve seemed to work better. When tank was full (approx 2.6
gallons), it simply quit accepting propane. No spew.

2. When I turned on the main valve, no propane escaped. Used to always make
a big hiss and release a puff of propane. Now it just goes psssst. No
propane smell. I think maybe the old regulator was hosed.

So now hopefully, I won't be consumed in a fireball as I sleep.

Mark McCulley
87 syncro Westfalia