Gas leak

[Mike_374322144]

On our weekend break when setting up I smelt gas, and thought onlt just turned bottle on maybe from that......No still smelt in 10mins later. Had a look at the gas bottle and the hose had corroded!! I'm thinking this should have been noticed at my service when I purchased it last winter?? The hose has an expiry date of 2006!!

Should they have checked this at service?

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

Looking back over peoples servicing expereinces on this forum, many report that the gas systems part of the service is actually a brief inspection and doesn't include a range of services that many people though would be included.

In the case of our Eriba service - then this does include a gas safety check - but others may be different.

But to answer your question - then yes - I'd expect a more thorough review of systems prior to a sale, and replacement of expired components, but that might just be wishful thinking...

Robert

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Mike

You say in your posting that you purchased your caravan 'Last winter'. Now it is not clear whether it was second hand or you purchased it from a dealer, but let us assume that it was and you did.

If my assumption is correct, then the sale of the caravan to you is subject to the full force of Trading Standards and the Sale of Goods Acts regulations. The only exemption is if the product was specifically 'sold as seen', or if faults were specifically noted and exempted from the sellers liability

As a trader, your dealer is assumed to be competent, and knowledgeable about the products they sell. So they should be aware of the need to have checked the safety related perishables and consumables of the product, such as brakes, tyres, and flexible gas pipes at the time of sale.

Given that the expiry date is printed on the gas pipe, it does not take a gas expert to understand that the product should have been removed from service.

This is a fundamental breach of the sale of goods act, as the product was not fit for purpose by way of service date, and I assume that closer inspection would have also demonstrated signs of impending failure indicated by crazing or cracking.

For the record. I believe that when ever a caravan is submitted for service (part or full) the condition of the Safety aspects of a caravan such as brakes and gas supply pipes and flues should be inspected and reported to the owner.

 

[Damian]

Mike, the simple answer is Yes they should have checked the hose, and done a leak test.

The hose does not carry an expiry date, just a "left the factory" date, which means nothing really , as if the hose is stored correctly it does not deteriorate until gas is passed through it.

 

[Mike_374322144]

Thanks for your comments guys.

I purchased it from a dealer on behalf of a customer "sold as seen" although they assured me a service would be done, I did witness the gas pressure test when I was at the dealers.

On the hose are two dates.... 2001 and 2006 which had a expiry egg timer next to it, I assumed it has a 5yr life, and the 2006 was an expiry date.

For the sake of

 

[big john wayne]

mike , your post has really put the wind up me , we got a second hand caravan ( ADRIA 0 a few years back and enjoy the odd weekend away with the kids , But I had never given thought to checking out the gas pipe , Im very handy at most things and have fixed up loads of worn & broken bits n bobs on the caravan over the three years weve had it , but will now thoroughly check / fall test / connection condition / etc of the gas system , and just wondered what parts of the van I should also check . ( please note I,ve30 yrs experince as a motor mechanic and chems process tech )

So far this year Ive done ,

Stabilizer bar replace pads check and rebuild /

Tow hitch service lube and check over /

general ease and grease of legs & winders /

replacement battery /

wheels brakes & tyres /

Cant believe Ive neglected the gas system ???

So come on you lot what else should I check or service

Sorry for hi-jacking the post , moderators feel free to move to other area of website.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Robert,

Neglecting the gas system isn't a great idea - but it shouldn't be too hard for you to check.

I'd start at the gas bottle and follow the flow path:

Regulator - does it look in good condition?, no corrosion?, seals and screw threads look OK? It's nice to check the output pressure - but unless you have a manometer (0 to 50 millibar) on hand (or can make one) then that's a job for the professionals

Flexible pipe - thick wall or thin wall (drinking straw like)? - just replace with thick wall

And that's about the limit of what you rectify - but you can still inspect the rest of the system:

Fixed piping - I'd visually examine it for corrosion, loose fixing clips (which you can rectify), impact damage, etc

Connections to the appliances and the distribution manifold - check with Snoop (or water / detergent) to identify leaks

At the end of this you should have a good idea of the overall state of your gas system - and whether or not you need a visit from a professional to rectify faults...

I see you've been a process technician in the chemical industry, so you should easily identify any problem areas - but I'd be very wary about "fixing" them yourself - if only for possible insurance issues in the future.

I too work in the Chemical industry - I'm a chemist / chemical engineer designing process control systems for petrochemical refineries, and have all the necessary professional and academic qualifications - but I've never bothered to attend (say) the CORGI LPG training - so on first sight I'm not a competent person under the meaning of those regulations - and I shouldn't even adjust a gas union on a fixed part of the installation.

Robert