the auto-stop valve is actually a fill valve. mark is right about them being hard to come by. when mine went out, i was quoted 250.00 to replace, and it was doubtful that my local propane folks were going to find one any cheaper. what i eventually did was replace the oem auto-start valve with a standard fill valve (available at your local propane dealer) like the one mark mentioned. (15 bucks in my case) with the auto-stop valve, there is a line which runs from the valve into the tank about 3/4 of the way up. if you replace the auto-start with a standard valve, simply remove the line, and install a stop-cock in the hole. the stop-cock is opened when you are filling the tank, and when propane begins shooting out of the stop-cock, your tank is full. simple. i've had no complaints since i replaced mine. incidentally, the "carburetor" (?) on my tank was also bad, so i replaced that at the same time, also with standard propane supplies. total cost, installed* and filled, $30 bucks. btw, since then, i found an auto-stop valve in a yard for a steal, i took it apart and all grommets and seals seemed intact. never been tested, but i would be happy to sell it for 50 bucks or so. * if you have the propane people install and test the valves and etc for you, i would suggest that you go ahead and remove the tank from the van, and bring it in that way. your propane dealer will like you better for it, and its a good time to check the tank for rust, and give it a new coat of paint. matt greenwell 87glwesty |
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