Need Help With Propane Tank

[JandC]

Finally took possession of our 3400 Montana last Saturday and pulled it from Wisconsin to central Illinois. Sunday, during a snow storm I checked both propane tanks and each was light. I removed the left one and had it filled. The left side one I filled had a regulator with a knob/arrow in the line. I turned it pointing away from the propane bottle. Turned the furnace on 68 and everything seemed great. I didn't fill the right tank because it felt like it still had a little in it. Went back to check on things tonight (Thursday) and furnace out plus both propane bottles feel empty. This unit was winterized prior to my purchase. Obviously the propane leaked out of bled out someway. What should I check?

[kab449]

Spray bottle filled with soapy water. Soak all connections you can see. If you don't see any bubbles then you may have to loosen underbelly and trace the lines. Propane does have a unique smell that you can use to track down a leek. Don't take any chances if you don't really positively identify the leak, take it to your dealer or a propane dealer with repair facilities.

[DQDick]

Start by checking the connections to the black pipe going thru the front storage compartment we had a leak there. Then the regulator connections and the tank connections and hoses. If your lucky you'll find something there before you have to try tracing things back.

[woodtic]

The arrow on the change over valve should point to the bottle that is on line. Were both tank valves open? Did you leave the furnace running when you left Sunday? Could have drained both tanks due to normal operation. Fridge running on gas also?

[bncinwv]

I think that you may have used the tank of propane. If the temperatures were on the cold side, it is not out of the question to use a thirty pound tank of propane in a night. Our very first trip out in our then new 3400 taught us this lesson. We went through two tanks in a little over two days. Now we have supplemental heat in the form of two ceramic heaters to lighten the load placed on the propane. You should still check for leaks, however.
Bingo

[RJI47]

You said it was cold and stormy. These Montys eat propane like candy, so maybe you just used it up without realizing it.

[Alwims]

My vote is, you won't find any leak. 3 days is about all we have ever went on a 30lb tank of propane using the furnace.

[JandC]

Good information. I am going to have both tanks filled tomorrow (Saturday). I have my brush and soapy solution prepared to start checking for leaks one side at a time. I will begin by slowly turning one tank on and then light a burner on the stove. If I can't find any leaks and don't smell any propane, who knows maybe I did go through a full bottle. It was pretty cold and windy.

[bigmurf]

Pour some hot water down the side of the tank. It will be cool where the liquid level is.

[dieselguy]

You may well have a leak, but I feel you have too high of an expectation of how long a 30# of propane will last with the furnace left on. If it was truely winterized, you'll not have to leave the furnace on unless you've added something that freezing will hurt.