|
03-20-2010, 02:31 PM
|
#1
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Spokane
Posts: 144
M.O.C. #5227
|
Propane system leak test
Thinking of having the dealer do a propane leak test after 4 years and lots of bouncing down the road. Cost $50, is it worth it? Have not noticed any leaks or the alarm going off. Thoughts?
|
|
|
03-20-2010, 02:57 PM
|
#2
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: corning
Posts: 694
M.O.C. #6635
|
I always seem to have a leak or two in each camper as time passes. Some are easy to fix and others are not so easy, especially on the road away from all my tools. I've never had a leak test done because my wife can smell a gas leak a mile away. Finding it and fixing it becomes my problem.
|
|
|
03-20-2010, 04:39 PM
|
#3
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
|
Buffpilot,
Why not just use the soap and water spray test? Make up a bottle of soapy water and simply spray it anywhere there is a joint.
Or rely on the nose. I can smell just about any amount of propane so I locate the general area and then we do a soapy water test.
Good luck.
HamRad
|
|
|
03-22-2010, 12:42 PM
|
#4
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Spokane
Posts: 144
M.O.C. #5227
|
Thanks for the advice, think I will save the $50 bucks and use the nose and soapy water test.
|
|
|
03-22-2010, 01:49 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Apache Junction
Posts: 1,732
M.O.C. #7487
|
If you had access to a Manometer a really good test would be to do a leak test through the stove. A Manometer measures inches of water column and is used in the gas industry. Just turn your tanks off first, then pull one of the burners on the stove and put the hose over that orifice and turn the burner on. Then just watch the gauge which is filled with water to see if it drops. If it drops you have a leak, if it holds the system is tight. If it drops then you will have to go find the leak with either soap and water or a gas detector.
|
|
|
04-24-2010, 05:38 AM
|
#6
|
New Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Spokane
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #10240
|
Sorry, but the nose and water spray with soap doesn't always tell the entire story. Rather than hiring the dealer, consider buying a gauge which can be less than $50. If the pressure goes down (installed and used correctly) you have a leak somewhere in the line. More extensive checks can be made at that time. Purchasing guage means you can check your system whenever. Of course, adding propane to a cylinder requires a bit of soap and water around those connections which saves a lot of time.
Mike
|
|
|
04-24-2010, 03:14 PM
|
#7
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Pine Island
Posts: 102
M.O.C. #9822
|
A quick tip I got from my Uncle, who is a master Mr-fixit. I used to use soapy water to test for leaks. Then he turned me on to bubble stuff - that is, the stuff you give the kids to blow bubbles with. It doesn't get all foamy when putting it on and blows bubbles like crazy when there's a leak. I've got a couple small bottles stashed around and just use a Q tip to swab some on a fitting.
|
|
|
04-27-2010, 01:20 PM
|
#8
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: hopewell
Posts: 98
M.O.C. #9444
|
i like the all purpose leak detector better than soap and water. the bubble stuff sounds good.
|
|
|
04-28-2010, 02:23 AM
|
#9
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Hanover
Posts: 335
M.O.C. #9710
|
Gregdan24, I took your uncles advise, got the kids bubble stuff and found both inlet lines that come in from the tanks to the directional valve leaking. Thanks for the tip.
John
|
|
|
04-28-2010, 02:30 PM
|
#10
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
|
About once a year, I grab a set of tools and walk all around and in the Montana and tighten every bolt, nut and screw I can get to. It's amazing how many work loose.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
Propane System
|
Bigboomer |
Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help |
3 |
09-19-2012 03:42 AM |
Propane leak?
|
sandslugs |
Maintenance |
9 |
01-27-2010 07:35 AM |
Propane Leak
|
BirdingRVer |
Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help |
5 |
06-19-2008 04:59 PM |
check your propane system
|
illapah |
Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help |
4 |
03-22-2008 06:18 AM |
**Another** Propane Leak!
|
skyguy |
Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help |
0 |
06-09-2004 12:58 PM |
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|