How to find a propane leak when no residual propane left in tank??

[mything2]

Discovered my propane was completely gone… no residual propane left in tank to find where it’s leaking?? Any ideas appreciated. I don’t want to get a small propane refill because of possible danger. Thanks

 

[GeorgeRad]

I assume you contribute no propane in the tank to leak, how did you derive to this conclusion? Without pressurized gas inside it would be difficult or rather impossible to find a leak. You could consider pressurized air but I would worry about moisture content left in the tank. You could take all fittings apart and reseal them.

This easiest would be to fill the tank with small amount of LPG and look for leaks with soapy water.

 

[mything2]

Thanks…yes, considering getting a small refill to see if I can find it using soap bubbles. Agree ref using air- will definitely leave moisture in the tank. Dan

 

[Doneworking]

A few years ago I got tired of checking connections for possible leaks on our Roadtrek and bought a gas sniffer on Amazon for about $30. They no longer show the model I bought but have lots of others for under $50. I prefer the ones with the sensor on the end of a snake so I can get it back into crannies and not try to use soapy water back in hard to reach places. It is really easy to check connections with one of these gadgets. Mine has no "meter" but just uses a tone to indicate the presence of gas. We have nat gas heating, cooking and water heating in our home and it works well for propane or NG so I use it lots of places including the Roadtrek.

 

[GallenH]

I second Doneworking's suggestion. I bought a very similar model and it enabled me to pinpoint a leak in the regulator. Also use it for testing valves/connections on home BBQ tanks. Very useful at little cost.

 

[DaveBad]

I agree with what others have said about using a gas sniffer. I bought one of these years ago and have used it many times. Well worth the investment. (iPad not included )

 

[Johnnyfry]

Discovered my propane was completely gone… no residual propane left in tank to find where it’s leaking?? Any ideas appreciated. I don’t want to get a small propane refill because of possible danger. Thanks

I would take it to a propane distributor (Arrow Gas, Suburban Propane, Ferrell Gas, Amerigas...the places with the giant Propane tanks on premise) and explain the situation. They should have a propane technician available to do the testing. Take it ONLY to a place with trained technicians, not an RV place!

 

[Asphalt Addict]

Discovered my propane was completely gone… no residual propane left in tank to find where it’s leaking?? Any ideas appreciated. I don’t want to get a small propane refill because of possible danger. Thanks

Had the same problem recently. It was the regulator. Most likely the only thing that would go out if everything was operating properly before the empty tank. I, too, put a small amount of propane to test. If it is the regulator, which was hard to find on my PW, you probably won't need soap. You'll see the leak immediately. Good luck.

 

[GallenH]

I bought the same sniffer as DaveBad. I agree with JO and AS. Sniffer revealed leak in regulator. Replaced. Solved issue. But I've also had a main tank valve fail when partially open. Amerigas tech replaced valve for me when doing a fill. If you don't have equipment just take it to a major LP supplier.

 

[CareyM-ClassB]

A few years ago I got tired of checking connections for possible leaks on our Roadtrek and bought a gas sniffer on Amazon for about $30. They no longer show the model I bought but have lots of others for under $50. I prefer the ones with the sensor on the end of a snake so I can get it back into crannies and not try to use soapy water back in hard to reach places. It is really easy to check connections with one of these gadgets. Mine has no "meter" but just uses a tone to indicate the presence of gas. We have nat gas heating, cooking and water heating in our home and it works well for propane or NG so I use it lots of places including the Roadtrek.

great idea! plumbers charge $ to find a leak. and $$$$ to fix it.