Propane tank overfilled

[Microbusdeluxe]

I have a European spec 1989 "Joker" Westfalia camper. It uses a different propane tank than the standard American Westy. Recently I had the propane tank filled. After driving a bit we noticed a propane smell. I checked the tank and the small red pressed in plastic cup had popped out of its holder. I could hear and feel propane escaping through the hole in the overfill valve behind where this cup sits. After a while enough leaked to atmosphere so that I could replace the cup and we were fine.

So my question to others who have the European set up what parts do I need in order from Germany to prevent this from happening again? Thanks for your input.
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'69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig!

[VicVan]

Hi
It´s indeed probable that one part failed. However, just so you consider every possibility,. there is also the possibility that the system worked as designed. For example if you had the tank filled on a cold day in the morning, and then have the tank parked in baking sun for some hours. The pressure increase could in this case cause the opening of the safety valve.

The way I see it, it´s one of those three:
- safety valve (the one you mention apparently)
- tank filling procedure (the hardware is just fine, but the tank was overfilled, so safety devices did their thing)
- pressure relief valve for fill-up is faulty (not sure about that one, I am reaching the limit of my knowledge on this subject).

Good luck!
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[Vanagon Nut]

Does the Eurospec tank have an "80%" fill limit float?

Neil.

not the same as Manchester tank as used on the Vanagon but shows float I refer to

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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[xoo00oox]

I have had these vent on me while I’m working on them on a lift. Customers get them filled when it’s cold outside and in my warm garage the propane expands and vents out the pressure release valve. Not a good time to be torching on the exhaust!

[Microbusdeluxe]

Thanks for the tips and thoughts. The European Westy propane is supposed to have an auto cut-off at 80%. It does NOT have the bleeder valve that the technician unscrews before filling the tank like the American version. I've added propane to this tank probably 8-10 times without any sort of problem.

It well could be that the day got warmer after my latest fill-up. We dropped in elevation, maybe a 3,000 foot difference, the day it leaked so maybe that had something to do with it. The safety system did indeed work by popping the cap and letting excess gas slowly bleed out to the atmosphere. I'm going to order up a new safety cutoff valve from Gunzl as well as a new gauge, which has never worked. Assuming I don't blow up the neighborhood I'll report back in a couple of weeks on the situation.
_________________
'69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig!