So my wife (Annette) called me this morning at 3:30am. I am away for training on the East Coast and she and my son are holding down the fort. Yesterday she claims there was a terrible sewer smell coming from the coach. She dumped the tanks and checked for any leaks and everything looked good.The smell would not go away and she decided to check under the coach were the propane lives. She said she opened the door and was almost knocked out by the smell. She instantly shut the gas off and figures that there is propane leak. What can we do? Being so far away from home I need your help in helping her check for leaks. What are your suggestions and does anyone know of any on-site repair people in the Tacoma, WA area. Thanks everyone.
Chaplain Troy
GENECOP said
07:05 AM May 17, 2010
Definately keep the LP off, Have her inquire about Rv repair services in her area, she can search RV repair on line, or often the RV park has contact names and numbers of Techs that will come out to the site, There is plenty of help available, good luck ,Gene
tallan said
07:08 AM May 17, 2010
Thanks Gene, appreciate the help. Very frustrating to be so far away.
TXRVr said
08:08 AM May 17, 2010
If the smell was detectable inside the rig, I'm surprised that the propane detector didn't sound off. Might want to check that in the process of fixing the problem.
A method for checking to see if the leak is at the hose fitting is to pour some soapy water on the brass connection where it screws into the regulator. If it bubbles then there is a leak. Disconnect, reconnect, and then check for bubbles again.
If that doesn't fix the problem then it would be best to call a qualified repair person. Check the phone book for propane dealers who also do new home installation services.
The Bear II said
08:26 AM May 17, 2010
If it was extremely hot and the tanks full, the pressure valve may have released. This usually doesn't happen unless the tanks were overfilled (or full and in direct sunlight) on a very hot day.
More likely a leak at the tank connections as suggested above.
tallan said
09:14 AM May 17, 2010
Annette just tested the connections with the soap-water and found that it is leaking on both sides of the regulator.
heyduke said
06:41 PM May 17, 2010
agree with the fact that the detector didn't go off.. you need to check it out as well after you fix the leaks...
ahoweth said
07:29 AM May 19, 2010
I have found one item that I have included in my tool "Kit."
It is a bottle of the bubble soap used for kids bubble toys. It is non toxic and does not corrode brass or copper fittings and is cheap. This item was referred to me by a heating and air-conditioning company as the tool they prefer for leak detection. It is easily available at most any Walmart, Kmart, etc. and did I mention that is is CHEAP!
It bubbles profusely where there is a lead and doesn't run off of the connections as fast as some other more toxic soap mixtures. I use it to check for leaks around the valve stems of the tires on my coach, (aluminum wheels) and my car. It does not corrode aluminum either.
So my wife (Annette) called me this morning at 3:30am. I am away for training on the East Coast and she and my son are holding down the fort. Yesterday she claims there was a terrible sewer smell coming from the coach. She dumped the tanks and checked for any leaks and everything looked good. The smell would not go away and she decided to check under the coach were the propane lives. She said she opened the door and was almost knocked out by the smell. She instantly shut the gas off and figures that there is propane leak. What can we do? Being so far away from home I need your help in helping her check for leaks. What are your suggestions and does anyone know of any on-site repair people in the Tacoma, WA area. Thanks everyone.
Chaplain Troy
If the smell was detectable inside the rig, I'm surprised that the propane detector didn't sound off. Might want to check that in the process of fixing the problem.
A method for checking to see if the leak is at the hose fitting is to pour some soapy water on the brass connection where it screws into the regulator. If it bubbles then there is a leak. Disconnect, reconnect, and then check for bubbles again.
If that doesn't fix the problem then it would be best to call a qualified repair person. Check the phone book for propane dealers who also do new home installation services.