Following posts transferred to consolidate like topics.
Pressure expansion safety valve
Chris Custer, Junior Member, 10-18-2000 09:43 AM
Parents Westie is a 90. Mom had the propane tank filled. It has a manual pressure relief valve. Dad thinks the filler guy did not open the manual valve to vent when filled. The problem is: The tank now leaks out a small brass fitting with a hole in it the size of a toothpick. Dad thinks this is some kind of safety valve that has blown. Can it be replaced or does the whole assymbly need changed out? The tank will fill just fine. When done it will seep out this 45 degree brass fitting. Thanks
-Chris
Hydro test propane tank?
radair, Junior Member, 11-02-2000 08:00 PM
I just bought an '84 Westy and am wondering if I should have the propane tank hydro tested before filling. I live in the northeast (road salt capital of the US) and there is some surface rust on the tank. Any recommendations on this?
Capt. Mike, Moderator, 11-03-2000 04:20 AM
Do you have any reason to suspect a leak? Severe corrosion at the inlet & valves? Deep pitting? The usual surface rust isn't likely to weaken what is a very thick tank body.
All of the Westy tanks surface rust rather quickly. Manchester, the OE supplier, was downright stingy in the quality department. Their tanks were just sprayed right over rust & dirt with a single coat of white. No primer, no preps. Most rusted on the surface within months. VW's undercoating is probably all that's saving them. On my own, the protective plate underneath is now due for it's second major refurbishing.
Removing the tank is not as complex as everyone makes it, assuming reasonable fire prevention measures, or have your local LP shop do it for you. 4 bolts & the gas line.
You should be able to do a leak-down or vacuum test with a vacuum tester like Snap-On's, or with air pressure. Just be carefull with your refurbishing that rust removal doesn't create a leak.
I smell propane
maxime@moai.com, Junior Member, 01-12-2001 07:23 PM
I bought an 83 Westy 3 weeks ago, and got the tank filed last week, since there is a faint smell of propane, even when the tank's valve is closed.
I put soapy water every where on and around the tanks valves, I could see no bubbles. Note that the bleeder valve is hard to test with soap bubbles because it has a loose flat disk between the knob and the tank, so it seems hard for a bubble to form.
There's no need to leak test the Westy's body plumbing yet since the tank valve is shut off, right?
The following test tells me that the tank valve doesn't shut off completely:
1) shut the tank's valve
2) open the stove burner to bleed out the gas in the plumbing
3) shut the stove burner
4) wait 24 hours
5) I open the stove's valve and hear a pshhh of gas that lasts 3 or 4 seconds..
- The tank valve doesn't shut completely
- The bleeder valve releases gas OR the inside plumbing leaks the gas build up that occurs from the leaking valve.
Any suggestions?