RV propane problems: smells, weak flames, regulator issues and leak testing

Propane basics for RV owners

Propane is stored as a liquid under pressure in your tanks (cylinders on trailers, a mounted tank on many motorhomes). A two-stage regulator reduces that high tank pressure to the low, steady pressure your appliances need. A smell is added to propane (it's naturally odourless) so you can detect leaks. It's often described as rotten eggs or skunk.

Propane is heavier than air. A leak tends to pool low, which is why the RV propane detector is mounted near the floor.

Danger: if you smell propane: Don't operate switches, start the engine, use your phone inside, or create any spark. Put out any flames. Turn off the propane at the tank if you can do it safely. Get everyone out, open the door on the way, move away and upwind, and call your local emergency number from a safe distance. Don't go back in until the smell has cleared and the source has been found.

Your propane detector

• Test it before each trip using its test button.
• Know its alarms. A full alarm means propane detected. Chirps or a different tone can mean low battery voltage or end of life. Many detectors have a manufacture date and rated life on the label. Replace them on schedule.
• Low voltage causes false alarms on many models. If it alarms when the battery is low, charge the battery and check again. But never assume an alarm is false without investigating.
• A CO alarm protects against exhaust gases. Have a working one, especially in winter. A battery-powered backup CO alarm is inexpensive.

Safe leak testing (what owners can do)

You can check accessible fittings for leaks with a leak detection solution or a mix of water and dish soap:

1. With appliances off, open the tank valve slowly.
2. Spray or brush leak detection solution onto connections at the tank valve, pigtail hoses, regulator and any accessible fittings.
3. Watch for growing bubbles. Even small foam means a leak.
4. If you find a leak, turn off the tank. Tighten only flare/POL fittings you're qualified to handle, then re-test. If in doubt, leave the system off and book a technician.

Never use a flame to look for leaks. A professional drop test with a manometer checks the whole system for leaks, including ones you can't see. It's worth doing annually or after any repair.

Symptom: weak, yellow or lazy flames

A healthy stove flame is mostly blue with crisp tips. Yellow, floppy flames, soot or appliances that light then die can indicate:

• Low pressure from a failing regulator.
• A nearly empty tank, especially in cold weather.
• Blocked burner ports or air shutters (spider webs are a classic).
• Excess-flow safety in the tank valve has tripped (see below).

Symptom: everything worked, then the gas "ran out" right after a tank change

When a tank valve is opened quickly with appliance valves open, the excess-flow safety can engage, limiting gas to a trickle. Close the tank valve, make sure all appliances are off, wait a minute, then open the valve slowly. Light the stove to purge air.

Regulator problems

The regulator is a wear item. Signs it may be failing:

• Weak or uneven flames on several appliances.
• Furnace or water heater ignition problems that come and go.
• Gas smell at the regulator.
• Visible corrosion, a cracked vent, or water inside it.

Vent direction matters. The regulator's vent normally needs to face down (or be under a protective cover) so rain, melting snow and ice can't get in. Water that freezes inside a regulator can stop gas flow. That's common in Alberta when wet snow is followed by a cold snap. Keep the regulator cover in place and clear snow away.

Auto-changeover regulators switch to the second tank when the first runs empty, and an indicator (often green/red) shows status. Know which tank is "in service" so you refill the empty one.

Replacing a regulator involves disconnecting and re-making gas connections. Many jurisdictions expect gas work to be done by qualified people, and you must leak-test afterward. If you're not trained, have a certified RV technician do it.

Cylinder rules and safety

• Portable propane cylinders have a manufacture date stamped on the collar. In Canada, cylinders must be requalified or replaced once they reach a set age from that date, typically 10 years. Filling stations are required to check and may refuse an out-of-date cylinder. See Transport Canada's dangerous goods information for the official rules.
• Transport and store cylinders upright and secured, with valves closed.
• Use the OPD (overfill protection device) valves that modern cylinders are required to have.
• Store spare cylinders outside, never inside the RV or a closed garage.
• Many ferries and tunnels have rules on propane. Check before you travel.

Winter propane tips

• Propane pressure drops as the temperature falls. In deep cold, keep tanks over half full where possible, and keep them out of snowbanks.
• A larger tank vaporizes better in cold than a small one.
• Don't use heat guns, torches or open flames to warm a tank or regulator.

Annual checks

• Inspect hoses (pigtails) for cracks, especially where they bend. Hoses age and should be replaced as needed.
• Check that tank mounts and straps are secure.
• Test the propane alarm.
• Have a technician do a leak/pressure test once a year or after any gas repair.

When to call a pro

Any persistent smell, any leak you can't stop by closing the tank, regulator replacement if you're not trained, adding or modifying gas lines (including tees for an outdoor grill), and any appliance that soots or produces yellow flames after you've cleaned the burner. Alberta has strict requirements for gas fitting. Use certified technicians for gas work.