Replace or refurbish my propane tank?

[RichBenn]

Yes, I know there are other threads on this, but not my tank.

Since I need to replace the shutoff valve, and probably other components, it's time to make a call on replace vs refurbish.

Rust is not bad, except for where the tag was:

If I did refurbish, would I just remove the nameplate and grind the rust out and repaint? My concern, of course, is tank thickness. Or maybe it's time to pony up for a shiny, new, modern tank.....
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Rich

[[email protected]]

If it were mine I would refurbish. Looks fine.

[Ahwahnee]

Yours looks fabulous compared to my old one:

I chose to replace it with new but even in that state someone else wanted it to refurbish.

[RichBenn]

[RichBenn]

[davevickery]

[Sodo]

Sandbblast will tell you how deep the corrosion is. But refurbishing is not for everyone. I suppose you could have it proof-tested.

Slightly off-topic but maybe you're interested. I have this notion of welding two westy tanks together to make a long skinny 5 gallon tank. Pretty easy to "proof-test" it. Does anyone know what pressure a propane tank is proofed to?
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[E1]

We had the shutoff valve replaced at a propane shop for like $25.

Tank has well over 300K on it, but a factor is it hasn't lived in a rust belt, either.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[rubbachicken]

do you have a propane fridge or heater.
if you do not, don't waste your time, the burners will last a long time on 1lb green bottles.
our lucy's big adventure, i bought a new propane tank, we only ever use the burners, that new tank has only run empty 3 times in 2 years of full time living in the van, cooking and coffee making.
with shipping it cost me near $400, that's a LOT of 1lb bottles, i would not do that again.
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lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'


markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182

[[email protected]]

Wire wheel and post pictures. Not sure where that 1/8" came from. If it's from the tabk itself I would not reuse

[vwjetboat]

don't know about other states.. but here in Florida.. the tank has a date.. and if its out of date.. they will not fill it.. this was on a RV we had.. I would think the same applies to vw camper tanks.. so I would check into that if you have not yet

[Vanagon Nut]

The ID tag on the Manchester propane tank on my '81 was falling off. There was noticeable pitting at tank where tag was. I replaced the tank. I've read that the ASME tank wall thickness is about 1/4". Regardless, who knows if its rusting on the inside too? Later Manchester tanks had that tag welded all the way around.

I think this is regarding residential type propane tanks but may apply, depending on state or province?

I don't know.

http://www.propane101.com/photo_albums/PropaneTankNameplates/index.html
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[RichBenn]

[RichBenn]

[RichBenn]

[RichBenn]

[fxr]

We use the stove and use the fridge on LP continuously while on a trip. Our tank wasn't that bad around the label, but looked so awful that no propane folk locally would fill it.

We replaced it, and are glad we did so. No more refusals or not understanding "open the bleed valve all the way".
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[Mellow Yellow 74]

Is there not a mandatory inspection interval in the US for gas cylinders? In Australia you need to have gas cylinders inspected, tested and recertified every ten years. Even if it looks fine on the outside it could be corroded internally so unless you get it inspected properly you have no idea if it is good or not.
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1962 Karmann Ghia
1974 Deluxe Microbus
1985 Caravelle (Vanagon)

[Ahwahnee]

[vwjetboat]