Checking for propane leak

[90SyncroAdventureWagen]

I inherited my husband's 1990 Adventure Wagen, and the past couple days I've noticed a faint smell of propane near it. It didn't occur to me till today that the smell was probably propane and possibly coming from the van.

I don't know how much propane would be left in it, but he hasn't used the stove or other systems in decades (possibly since Jerry died, tbh). I don't know if he went through a shutdown/storage procedure, and now he's on the other side with Jerry, so I can't ask him. I haven't noticed a propane smell near the van in the 10 years I've known it, but something could be rusting or failing.

Does anyone have photos or a diagram or manual so I can check for leaks? I leak test my backyard grill regularly, but I'm not sure where the propane is inside the van. Is the tank removable or built in? Last time I looked, it wasn't clear to me - is there also a water filter or might the propane tank look like one?

I'd rather pay someone to safely fix this, but one home propane delivery company said no and I'm waiting on a call back from another. I'm traveling for work next week and would rather pay extra to get it fixed this weekend vs. having to get my dogsitter involved with someone coming to the house.

What is the safest way to approach this if I have to investigate it myself? Seems possible it's leaking inside the van and building up - is there a chance of a spark if I open the door?

Edit: this van doesn't run very well and I usually have to charge the battery to start it, so driving it to an RV place is not really an option.

[Dampcamper]

First, are there any small propane disposable cylinders in the van? Search and get rid of those. Lanterns, Mr. Buddy heaters, small burner camping stoves?
The van's propane tank is on the outside. If the valve (big knob on side of tank facing out) is turned all the way off, there shouldn't be any propane leaking up into the interior, it stops right there. If the valve is working properly, that is.
If the stove is off, you can open the valve a couple of turns then close it tightly (you want to spin it some to make sure it turns freely). The fridge should have a working pilot safety valve so no leakage out of there.
As far as sparks, the dome light switch in the doorpost is the only thing that would spark upon opening a door.
If you want to ventilate the van, open the side door. Propane vapors are heavier-than-air and sink down in still air. The van is outdoors? If you suspect propane leakage don't mess with the system parked in the garage, next to your water heater with the pilot light!
If you are troubleshooting propane lines for leakage, soapy water and a small brush will show bubbles from a pressurized line.

[pinetreeporsche]

Similar question: My Westy hasn't had gas in its system for 15-plus years, So I'm hoping to see some more info in this thread: like how do I do a pressure test-- and what should I do before a test? Is there a owners manual or similar for the whole van propane system? Or is it standard to take it to a camper/rv center and get a "pro" to do the steps? That sounds like some $. Help me, Obi-wan Kenobi.

[Dampcamper]

Bentley section 76, page 20 shows the system.
Search online for "propane leak check", you will get many hits including this one: http://www.countrypropaneinc.com/safety/detecting-a-propane-leak/
Needless to say you shouldn't use a match to snoop for a gas leak, because you might find one...that's a welder's joke, son...
BTW, if not used for a long time the regulator (silver flying saucer next to the valve on tank) may need replacing. There is a flexible diaphragm inside that can crack and leak gas out. GoWesty and others sell these, and also whole replacement tank kits.

[gchristensen]

The best way to check for leaking gasses is to mix a bit of dish soap into a squirt bottle with water and spray all joints with the solution and see if it bubbles. I prefer using a squirt bottle that way it does not atomize and bubbles form more rapid. There are propane leak detectors available but most of us have a bit of dish soap around the kitchen area.
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Joining now is our new 1982 diesel. This is an ongoing project under construction.

[90SyncroAdventureWagen]

The part I'm trying to figure out is where I would check for a leak. The Bentley book I have is for a Westy so the propane tank section is different. I can't see the tank from underneath the car but I can from inside.

I did check inside the van and there's no propane smell in there. None outside today either, but I have caught a whiff at least twice, maybe three times so I want to do something about it.

Here's the outside. Not sure which of these is the propane hookup. Guessing the second because the first looks like a garden hose fitting.

Here's up underneath. There's a metal plate blocking the view, just the gray water outlet showing.

Here's how the kitchen is arranged in an Adventure Wagen. Photo is taken from the back seat passenger side, looking toward front seat driver's side.

Here's the view inside the first cabinet. I think the propane tank is the big square metal thing on the bottom.

The cabinet closer to the side wall of the van shows the back of this tank and some kind of vent...must be the return for circulating air through the furnace?

Back to the front cabinet shown open in the kitchen pic above, the top shelf shows the p-trap for the sink and you can see through to what appears to be a different metal tank, and I believe that could be the water tank. It does have a water filter connected to it on the other side, right behind the driver's seat (pic with extension cord). (The sticker says IAPMO which certifies plumbing and mechanical parts, so could be certifying water or gas.)

So where would the tank cutoff be? What fittings and seams would I check for leaks?

I called a few RV places and a patio/grill place today, but they all suggested the big propane delivery companies. I will see if my dogsitter is willing to meet the guy this week, but I'm guessing he might need more info from someone who knows AdventureWagens!

[davevickery]

Where are you? I would suggest you get a local Vanagon person to come look at your van and show you some of the basics. It is all pretty simple for someone that has worked on a Westy. Getting a propane guy to come out is dumb, he will only know about one part of your van and will cost a bunch. Maybe you convince someone nearby to help you out.

[90SyncroAdventureWagen]

OK thanks! I do have a local person and there's a meetup coming up soon where I can ask a group. And I don't smell gas today. I advised my dogsitter to keep a nose out and let me know if she smells it. If nothing changes I will work on it when I get back; if it gets worse I'll call the propane company to make sure it's safe.

This is an AdventureWagen and I'm having trouble finding info about where the cutoff is. There's a metal plate covering the underside of the van so I can't see anything except the gray water drain. I did request to join an AW Yahoo group that apparently has a manual for the propane system.

Thanks for the help, all.

[danfromsyr]

the very most likely places that the propane will be leaking is at the Presure regulator on the tank.
the propane tank is underneath and you should see it peekign out like this.

the rubber diaphragm on the pressure regulator does age and when it fails it leaks out of the little weep hole under the plastic cap. it's a very standard propane component and shouldn't be too much $$ to replace. it's also fairly safe as it's AFTER the tank shut off valve.. which should be off, turns like a garden hose spigot.

now the shut off valves can and do also fail, they'll seep propane at the stem at times, and even if shut off.. to fix this you must drain off the propane tank and then a big RV service center can remove and replace the valve. they often require ALOT of torque to remove.. but again it's a fairly common issue on RVs.

parts should be under $100. and I'd say the labor should be under a $100 too.
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[90SyncroAdventureWagen]

Thanks @danfromsyr but is that a Westy? Mine’s an AdventureWagen and it doesn’t have valves on the side. I posted a photo of up underneath the van, where I see only a steel plate and a gray water drain.

[danfromsyr]

that's some dodge sportsmobile van..

you haven't yet posted any pics of a propane tank.
so keep looking for something that looks like a big round long cylinder with valves and a hose either in rubber or copper.
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[?Waldo?]

The AdventureWagens have the propane tank and regulator on the passenger side under the sliding door.

Stolen pic - look below the slider.

[90SyncroAdventureWagen]

[danfromsyr]

bring doughnuts, make friends.
see if someone would be willing to swing by your house/van and give you a tour around..

if you came to one of our VW club events (and weren't weird/crazy) someone from our group would be happy to assist in an informational tour of your van and it's operating parts.
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[90SyncroAdventureWagen]

Following up on this...I did find someone to cut the propane tank off and haul it away. He had no trouble doing it. I don't plan to use the heating or stove. I'll bring a camping stove when I travel.

[outcaststudios]

its awesome that youre keeping the adventurewagen alive, keep us posted and good luck!
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'88Doka JX td
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