Shawn,

I don't know if there is a specific grease to use with LPG applications...I
only went for a grease which would not react with the rubber o rings.

Ric

At 09:36 AM 9/3/00 -1000, Imua Camper Co. wrote:
>Nice job!  This is a great exploration- I will try the same on one of mine,
>however, do you think that there are any issues with the type of grease,
>i.e- how it may react with a gas like propane.  Just wondering if there is
>a specific type to use in this type of application.
>         This procedure is something that should be put on the vanagon.com
>'tech' page....
>thanks Ric-
>         Shawn
>
> >After getting advice from the list (replace the AutoStop w/generic fill
> >valve - approx $40) to one RV supply house's piece of advice (have to
> >replace the tank too - none of the generic valves will fit your tank -
> >$400) I figured I'd have nothing to loose if I took the AutoStop valve
> >apart to see what made it work (or not work in my case).
> >
> >The valve is a rather simple device.....Open the bleed valve, let the
> >propane flow in. The "red button" is actually the top end of a sliding
> >piston which allows LPG to flow into the tank. Once sufficient LPG has
> >reached the 80% level of the tank, LPG flows through a tube into the other
> >side of the AutoStop and forces the piston to close the valve. Then you
> >close off the bleed valve. Simple...
> >
> >The problem with my valve was that the piston was not closing all the way.
> >When the valve is open, there a pinhole vent built into the body of the
> >valve which bleeds air from the valve as the LPG pours in. The piston is
> >lubricated with some sort of "jelly" which has apparently hardened after
> >time and the piston was unable to close completely.
> >
> >To fix the problem is simple....pop off the shield from the bottom of the
> >tank. Unscrew the overflow tube from the tank. Place some clean paper
> >towels or news paper under the tank. Remove the four screws holding the top
> >of valve in place. Carefully remove the right hand side (as you face the
> >valve) of the valve.
> >
> >Remove the "red button" which is actually a plastic cap. Gently push the
> >piston out. Be careful not to drop it or to bung up the rubber O-rings.
> >Clean the surface of the valve and the bore with alcohol. To lubricate the
> >valve I used a synthetic light grease. I'm not sure that Vaseline will
> >work...as it degrades rubber and I'm not sure what the O-rings are made of.
> >
> >Gently put the piston back in place, then put the right half of the valve
> >in place. Once the right half is in place put the screws in and gently
> >tighten them. Put a little teflon tape on the fittings for the tube and put
> >the tube back in place.
> >
> >I took the Westy to the propane place....and voila...no leak!
> >
> >
> >Ric
>
>
>Shawn Zenor
>'81 std; '82 AdventureWagen; '82, '84, '85, '86, '91 Westfalias
>'95(?) Barracuda mt. bike (pre Ross sell-out)
>
>VW Camper rentals in Hawaii http://www.imua-tour.com
>         Guided surfing and mountain bike tours