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Slacker68
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2022
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 9:25 am Post subject: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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Hey everybody! My wife and I just acquired a 1980 Aircooled Westy a few weeks ago. The shutoff valve on the propane tank leaks when it's open and I need to replace it.
I've taken the valve apart as far as I can at this point. I had assumed that the knob would separate from the shaft, allowing that inner piece with the crumbled washer to slide out and be replaced. As you can see on the front, theres no screw to remove to get the knob off. I think it's safe to assume that there was a screw and the head rusted off and I should be able to pry the knob off the shaft, right?
Once I get the inner part of the valve out, does anyone know where the hell can I find a replacement piece?
I know I can swap out the whole valve for a new one, but I'd rather just replace the broken parts for now and replace all the propane hardware in the future. |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18575
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 9:37 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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| I recall my knob has a screw in the center. I removed it to paint it. My valve leaks until it is fully open. Been like that forever. Recently had the fridge out and had to really crank down to get it to fully close. So time for a valve. I’m watching this thread to see what comes up. |
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brickster
Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004
Posts: 585
Location: CO, USA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 10:33 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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I have the same issue, and I decided to get a more complete rebuild kit for the tank from Jim Davis at https://www.vanavation.com/products.html
The original 'auto' fill system is obsolete and can fail when the interior moving parts seize up. I am not one to unnecessarily feed into the spending habit that comes along with these vehicles, but it relates to safety. Still much cheaper than the new tank options. |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 10:54 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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Buy a new valve.....
Peeps, when in doubt, look at the FAQ:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6236058#6236058
Scroll down for several propane tank threads
A dozen years ago I refurbed my tank and deleted the autofill:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=400983
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18575
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 8:08 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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| brickster wrote: |
I have the same issue, and I decided to get a more complete rebuild kit for the tank from Jim Davis at https://www.vanavation.com/products.html
The original 'auto' fill system is obsolete and can fail when the interior moving parts seize up. I am not one to unnecessarily feed into the spending habit that comes along with these vehicles, but it relates to safety. Still much cheaper than the new tank options. |
Thanks for the current link to the tank parts. Service valve seems like a deal vs trying to rebuild the original and dealing with the broken stripped bolt. Install the new valve fill it and be done. |
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Slacker68
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2022
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 7:35 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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So I took the valve to a local hardware store and had their propane guy check it out. They didn’t have the parts to replace the valve, but he found an o-ring to replace the crumbling green seal. Cleaned up the stem and got all of the crumbling bits off and slid the o-ring on and reassembled. They filled the propane tank and then tested the valve. Opened and closed the valve several times and it works perfectly. No hiss and no smell. I’m sure this won’t last forever, but it’ll hopefully get me through this season and I’ll do a tank rebuild this winter.
The o-ring I used was a #48, 5/8 od x 3/8 id x 1/8 h. |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18575
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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| Thanks for the O ring specs. Since my tank is never completely empty, I’ll like get the service valve from the link above and be done. Fill and regulator have already been done. Thanks again. |
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revolution337
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2009
Posts: 396
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 11:06 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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Just finished replacing the service valve, fill valve, and bleeder on my propane tank. I didn't replace the two stage regulator, as I had already replaced that about two years prior. I didn't bother with cleaning or painting the tank, just scraped off some of the larger scale rust. As far as I can tell, it was all original. Purchased the parts from Nash Fuel.
https://store.nashfuel.com/products/service-valve-...psi-relief
https://store.nashfuel.com/products/propane-cylind...pt-bleeder
I sprayed all of the parts down with some penetrating oil a few days prior to removal. Luckily all of the parts came out without much of a fight. Installation of the new parts was quick and simple. I opted to reuse the original fill valve protective cap, for the sake of trying to keep the original look (or maybe because I forgot to install the new cap tether around the fill valve before I screwed it into the tank) Took the tank to my local RV store and got it filled and then reinstalled to the van. Now I can open and close my service valve without propane spewing everywhere 
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Tobias Duncan
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013
Posts: 1410
Location: Taos NM
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 9:34 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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| Does anyone have a part number for these shutoff valves? |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18575
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 9:56 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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| About 3 posts up are links to the valve etc. |
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Xevin 
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 8475
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 11:07 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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And this should anyone need.
https://www.vanavation.com/westy-propane-items.html
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Tobias Duncan
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013
Posts: 1410
Location: Taos NM
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 11:53 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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| MarkWard wrote: |
| About 3 posts up are links to the valve etc. |
I saw some links of where to buy, but did not find any actual part numbers |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18575
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2025 7:15 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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| Sorry misunderstood. A few have done the legwork to source the parts and make them available. Haven’t seen actual part numbers. Maybe your local propane supplier can match them up. This is one of those items where my time is worth more and would purchase from one of the suppliers that figured it out. |
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Tobias Duncan
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013
Posts: 1410
Location: Taos NM
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2025 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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| MarkWard wrote: |
| Sorry misunderstood. A few have done the legwork to source the parts and make them available. Haven’t seen actual part numbers. Maybe your local propane supplier can match them up. This is one of those items where my time is worth more and would purchase from one of the suppliers that figured it out. |
I get that, I just like to have part numbers for stuff like this because its a more permanent solution. That way in five years if these vendors are no longer around, we can still track down the part.
This is one of those part numbers I have not been able to find |
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 8475
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2025 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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| Tobias Duncan wrote: |
| MarkWard wrote: |
| Sorry misunderstood. A few have done the legwork to source the parts and make them available. Haven’t seen actual part numbers. Maybe your local propane supplier can match them up. This is one of those items where my time is worth more and would purchase from one of the suppliers that figured it out. |
I get that, I just like to have part numbers for stuff like this because its a more permanent solution. That way in five years if these vendors are no longer around, we can still track down the part.
This is one of those part numbers I have not been able to find |
Something like this? I don’t believe you will find a VW part number. Propane stuff is fairly universal. So different manufacturers parts can be used. Hope this helps.
| Reck wrote: |
Hi, this thread helped me a lot but it's fairly old and some of the parts info didn't work for me. Here's what I found, now in early 2017.
First, though he answered his own question, the OP asked:
"2. What are the thread sizes so I can put plugs in before media blasting?
Edit: Question 2 answered by inspection - just standard npt pipe threads..see pictures below."
I took the bleeder valve and the fill valve in with me to the plumbing aisle and found they threaded into standard FIP hardware. It's then easy to find the plugs that work. Since my tank had maybe 30% of its paint still intact, I decided to give it a heavy wire-brushing and putty-knife scraping, and a double coating of Rustoleum enamel, primer first, brushed on. Since I wasn't powder coating, all I needed was the PVC versions of the plugs, which saved a buck.
Through a recent post on TheSamba, https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8238961, I found these parts here: http://www.rvplus.com
Manchester Tank Fill Valve Current Style Vapor Pol V20373
PRODUCT CODE: AR-171600 $23.99
Manchester Tank Outage Valve V20058
PRODUCT CODE: AR-171603 $4.99
Marshall Excelsior Fill Valve 1.75acme X.75 Mnpt ME601-6
PRODUCT CODE: CS-57563 $27.99
While I was able to find REGO 7647SC and REGO 3165C, I was not able to find REGO 9106CO withdrawal/relief valve (which sends propane from our tanks to the regulator and on to the appliances). Closest I could find was "REGO STYLE 9106CO" from Nash Fuel, which is a reseller putting parts together for propane auto conversions it appears. Since I couldn't be sure of the manufacturer, I kept looking and found the above post. RVPlus' parts are coming from known American man'fgs with online catalogs, so I went with that.
One last thing: I disconnected the two copper lines from the regulator first, then unscrewed the regulator from its fitting going into the "withdrawal" valve. None of this took much effort. Then the 3/4" MIP fittings got difficult so I took the tank off at this point. Had to get out the pipe wrench and stand on it to get the fill valve off. Then, before doing the same with the withdrawal valve, I tried to get the fitting feeding the regulator off of it, but it was extremely stubborn. I finally realized it's a compression fitting, with a reverse thread! Just to save someone else the embarrassment. |
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...bb27738c69
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Tobias Duncan
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013
Posts: 1410
Location: Taos NM
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2025 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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Yes this totally helps!
REGO 9106CO is the one I was looking for! |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18575
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 3:27 am Post subject: Re: Propane Tank Shutoff Valve Rebuild |
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Nash above shows no stock on the valve. I contacted them via their website, but no reply yet. My valve was no longer completely shutting off. Reached out to Vanavation and have a replacement valve on the way. Good communication and fair price. It’s on its way.
I’ll take ours apart, but it lasted 40 years. I’ll be long gone in another 40. I’ll update my findings. |
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