Smell of Gas in front locker

[ANDY_374418504]

Since changing my bottle to the new lightweight calor propane version I get a smell of gas in my front locker.

I have checked all of the connections and did find a nut was loose on the housing fixed to the caravan.

However even after I have tightene this up I can still smell gas (interestingly the smell goes away when I turn off the valve on top of the bottle, when the van is in storage for instance).

The smell is only present when I am on site and the bottle is in use.

Can anyone help with this, could it be a fault with the 'full / empty' valve on the bottle perhaps?

Regards

Andy

 

[ProfJohnL]

Andy,

Just as at home, a smell of gas is a bad sign. Do not mess with it, Turn it off and You must get you system checked by a competent LPG fitter.

No messing just get it done.

 

[waffler]

Agree with John as you say it goes away in storage. I find that there is always a faint wiff with the locker but not serious. I did once have a problem with a gas tail that was cut generously in a bottle that was similar and could not really tighten it up. Swapped the gas tail and it was fine.

 

[ANDY_374418504]

Who can check this for me, I would rather not have to waste time taking the van back to Barrons again if I can help it.

Andy

 

[Chris_374413356]

Hi Andy

If you can smell gas then you should be able to detect the leak.

Either buy proper 'Leak Detector Fluid' or do as I do and use a cup of soapy water and paint brush.

Once you find the leak you can then sort out what you are going to do to fix it.

Don't smoke when looking for it !!!

 

[HelenM1]

Hi Andy

If you can smell gas then you should be able to detect the leak.

Either buy proper 'Leak Detector Fluid' or do as I do and use a cup of soapy water and paint brush.

Once you find the leak you can then sort out what you are going to do to fix it.

Don't smoke when looking for it !!!

when it comes to gas do not mess, get some one out. Use a mobile caravan engineer that has acops.

 

[gary]

I know from experience soapy foam will find any leak however small, it's how you use it that makes the difference.

First a good dash of Fairy in about half inch of water, whip this into a head of foam with a small clean paint brush, I use a 1/2" brush.

Now scrape the brush on the side of the cup to remove excess water and then take the foam only off the top to spread over the joints.

Tiny leaks can take time but all you need to do now is watch and wait for a bubble to grow!

 

[Happy-Lappy]

Andy,

This leak sounds as if it could be from the Bullnose end of the Pigtail, this end of the pigtail is sealed on a metal to metal contact basis. Disconnect this end and wipe clean both of the metal contact surfaces to ensure there is no grit/dirt. Reconnect the pigtail ensuring the contacts are tight and then do the fairy liquid test as stated previously,

Best regards, Martin

 

[Chrisbee]

Don't use washing up liquid to detect a leak. The high salt content can corrode the pipes. I believe it's actually illegal for a Corgi (as was)registered fitter to use. Buy a proper gas leak detecting fluid. Most good caravan accessory shops sell it.

 

[DeliDave]

Hi Chrisbee,

You are quite right about the salt content but for emergency use it would be better to find the leak.Itcould always be rinsed off afterwards.I am gas safe registered for LPG and if Andy is local to Daventry would be happy to check it with electronic leak detector and drop test FOC.It is probably just a bad joint or I had a split washer on the hose connection to regulater,eevn though van is only 18 months old.

 

[Chrisbee]

Hi Chrisbee,

You are quite right about the salt content but for emergency use it would be better to find the leak.Itcould always be rinsed off afterwards.I am gas safe registered for LPG and if Andy is local to Daventry would be happy to check it with electronic leak detector and drop test FOC.It is probably just a bad joint or I had a split washer on the hose connection to regulater,eevn though van is only 18 months old.

Agreed Dave but in Andy's case if the 'van is in storage he has time to do it properly.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I intend absolutely no disrespect to Andy or anyone else, But if you need to ask what do about a gas leak on a forum like this, then clearly the questioner does not have the necessary understanding to undertake repairers on a gas system.

Andy your proper and safest route is to have a gas competent fitter investigate and repair. You will never forgive your self if you later have a serious incident with the gas and any of your family or anyone is injured as a result.

DON'T MESS GET IT FIXED.

 

[gary]

We had a system where one 'bottle pressure' joint, (the regulator), needed to be made gas tight by the 'idiot' caravanner.

This risk in the name of progress was increased by 100% to two joints? and the only concern is how salt in washing up liquid is going to somehow damage those joints finding a leak!!

Wood and trees springs to mind?