R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Newbie question - propane tank odor
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedNewbie question - propane tank odor
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
dogsintow View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 30 Sep 2015
Location: Pacific NW
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 31 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Newbie question - propane tank odor
    Posted: 03 Nov 2015 at 10:04pm
Thank you all for my swarm of newbie questions lately! 9 days until my maiden voyage with my 2011 (used) 177.

I just got my propane tank filled. It didn't have a gauge on it so I didn't know exactly how much LP was in there, so I just took it to get filled. It ended up only needing about 1.5 gallons.

On my drive home, I was smelling a little odor. The valve was closed really tightly.  When I put my nose to the nozzle, that's where I smelled it the most. I attached the tank and turned it on briefly and didn't smell the odor, but when I shut it off and then smelled the nozzle again, I could smell the LP. Is this normal? Perhaps some LP from the hose got on the tank? 

Tomorrow I'll do a leak test with the soap/water, but for now it's shut off.

My tank came with the 177, and it was recertified, and has 1 year left before I have to renew. 

Thanks for your help!
2011 R-Pod 177 aka The Pawd Pad
2002 Chevy Tahoe
2 happy dogs
Back to Top
Podster View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 5:01am
I don't think it is unusual to get a whiff from time to time, especially during times of handling. A leak check is a good idea and keep an eye on it to make sure it's nothing persistent.  
Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 9:09am
BTW.. if you are unsure, just weigh it. The TARE weight of the tank is stamped on the tank itself.. everything above that is propane.
Back to Top
Craneman View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 12 May 2013
Location: Tokeland,wa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 387 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 12:56pm
When in doubt get rid of it and buy a new one. Less than 30.00. Nothing to mess around with.

           Moe
Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150



Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 4:32pm
Originally posted by Craneman

When in doubt get rid of it and buy a new one. Less than 30.00. Nothing to mess around with.

           Moe


Or go exchange it. Less then $20 here.
Back to Top
dogsintow View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 30 Sep 2015
Location: Pacific NW
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 31 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 4:37pm
thank you all for your tips and replies!
I'm going to do a leak test after work tonight, but I'm still leaning towards getting rid of this tank and starting fresh with a new one for peace of mind. I'll see how the test goes first. I did go to smell the tank this morning on my way to work, and it smelled pretty strongly around the main valve. It was pretty strong, but it wasn't in the air surrounding the tank-- and of course the gas was off when I did take a wiff of it. The odor didn't smell like rotten eggs like people say-- not distinct like sulfer. It smelled more like peanut butter to me! In any case, I smelled something!
2011 R-Pod 177 aka The Pawd Pad
2002 Chevy Tahoe
2 happy dogs
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 6:33pm
I would rely on the leak test.  If it is leaking from the base of the valve where it meets the tank I would hook it up to something that will burn it up quickly (like a high-output stove) and empty the tank.  If it is leaking from inside the valve I would just leave it hooked up to your pod and use it normally until it is empty, then exchange it for a new tank.  If there is no leak it is likely you are still just smelling the odorant residue on the outside of the tank - a lot of propane is leaked out during the filling process and it takes very little odorant for you to smell it, by design.  

I learned the hard way this summer that while 90% of US suppliers use the same additive, 10% uses various other chemicals which can have a different smell than the rotten eggs you expect.  My wife bumped one of the knobs on our stove just a bit on the last day of a long trip, and it took a week at home to figure out where the smell was coming from because to us it smelled like a dead mouse.  I had filled up that tank earlier on our trip in NC and not at our usual local store.

A note on exchanges vs. refills.  You get less LP for your money at exchanges, but if you have an old or damaged tank it is the cheapest way to get a good tank.  Then go back to refilling it.  Some exchanges have some tanks that need a special tool to refill them, forcing you to exchange and not refill.  But I think that practice has been phasing out.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
sailor323 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 11 Jun 2015
Location: S Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 281 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 8:20pm
I have used propane for well over 40 years.  Do a soap leak check.  If it doesn't show a leak, don't worry about it.  It is normal for fittings to smell of the additive they put in the gas.  Some people are more sensitive to odors than others.  Also, when you get to the bottom of the tank, the odor will become more noticeable.  A good warning that it is time to refill.
Back to Top
dogsintow View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 30 Sep 2015
Location: Pacific NW
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 31 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 8:23pm
Thank you all so much for your replies.
Soap test completely negative. I sprayed every possible point it could leak and there's nothing. :)
The odor was strong on the open/close valve and I cleaned it and the top of the tank really good to see if that helped. Sure enough, I could smell the odor on the paper towel. I will check it again tomorrow but I'm pretty sure now it was just some spillage or dirty gloves on the tank or something.
Part of me feels embarrassed for freaking out over nothing, and the rest of me knows that propane isn't to be messed with and better safe than sorry!  I'm very glad I didn't find anything leaking.
2011 R-Pod 177 aka The Pawd Pad
2002 Chevy Tahoe
2 happy dogs
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 2015 at 7:06pm
Just saw your response.  No reason to be embarrassed, a propane leak is nothing to take lightly.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz