While there is a thread on gas leak testing it reminds me of a situation
I ran into a couple of years ago. I suspect my experience is not all
that common but as we are running vehicles that are now long in age it
pays to be aware of many things. Thats why it is really helpful to hear
from each other of the many and varied things that occur in our travels.
Anyway what happened is this: every so often I like to do a soapy water
leak test and also check for proper water column pressure.
After checking all joins in the copper piping from propane tank to
appliances everything was OK. I then did the pressure test with a
simple manometer I made myself with a bit of plastic tubing fastened on
a short board. Pressure was fine, but on closing off the main tank valve
and with all other appliances turned off, I noted that after 10-15
minutes the water column had dropped a bit signifying a drop in pressure
and thus a leak somewhere in my system. After checking all joins again
and not finding anything I began to wonder if the gas was dissapating
into the water and thus causing the pressure drop.After alot of checking
I finally found that the automatic safety shut off valve in the Suburban
furnace had a leak in it. A new one was quite a long way toward the
price of a new furnace, so I very carefully took it apart to see what
might be the problem, discovering that the inside is set into a liquid
pour at the time of manufacture which sets uphard. Over the years, with
expansion and contraction, a minute pathway had opened up and allowed a
very slight leakage of gas-maybe it had always been there - who knows.
It may have been a faulty valve. Likely the leak would never cause an
explosion as it was very small,but nevertheless was measureable. To fix
it I mixed up, I believe, some JB Weld and poured it on top of the
previous pour and thus sealed the unit properly.I'm not suggesting
anyone necessarily try this as this area is a safety area and one should
be careful what one is messing with. I did this very, very carefully.
I mention this as one might do the bubble test and think they have no
leaks.I think one should either put on a gauge to test pressure drop or
make up a simple manometer with a bit of plastic tubing, a ruler and
water.
On a separate subject-BRAKES- I agree with Duane's recommendations for
fixing and making your brakes work properly.
Thats it for tonight
Claude
I ran into a couple of years ago. I suspect my experience is not all
that common but as we are running vehicles that are now long in age it
pays to be aware of many things. Thats why it is really helpful to hear
from each other of the many and varied things that occur in our travels.
Anyway what happened is this: every so often I like to do a soapy water
leak test and also check for proper water column pressure.
After checking all joins in the copper piping from propane tank to
appliances everything was OK. I then did the pressure test with a
simple manometer I made myself with a bit of plastic tubing fastened on
a short board. Pressure was fine, but on closing off the main tank valve
and with all other appliances turned off, I noted that after 10-15
minutes the water column had dropped a bit signifying a drop in pressure
and thus a leak somewhere in my system. After checking all joins again
and not finding anything I began to wonder if the gas was dissapating
into the water and thus causing the pressure drop.After alot of checking
I finally found that the automatic safety shut off valve in the Suburban
furnace had a leak in it. A new one was quite a long way toward the
price of a new furnace, so I very carefully took it apart to see what
might be the problem, discovering that the inside is set into a liquid
pour at the time of manufacture which sets uphard. Over the years, with
expansion and contraction, a minute pathway had opened up and allowed a
very slight leakage of gas-maybe it had always been there - who knows.
It may have been a faulty valve. Likely the leak would never cause an
explosion as it was very small,but nevertheless was measureable. To fix
it I mixed up, I believe, some JB Weld and poured it on top of the
previous pour and thus sealed the unit properly.I'm not suggesting
anyone necessarily try this as this area is a safety area and one should
be careful what one is messing with. I did this very, very carefully.
I mention this as one might do the bubble test and think they have no
leaks.I think one should either put on a gauge to test pressure drop or
make up a simple manometer with a bit of plastic tubing, a ruler and
water.
On a separate subject-BRAKES- I agree with Duane's recommendations for
fixing and making your brakes work properly.
Thats it for tonight
Claude
