One of the interesting things about being a tightwad is that you get to have
more adventures than folks who just pay for what they need.

Currently I am trying to refurbish a used propane tank for my '87 Westy.
The outside cleaned up fairly well, but I need to replace the valves, so I
pulled the old ones before painting.

When I pulled the brass elbow from the bleeder valve position, I found that
there was a fair bit of rust inside the hole.  Removing the service and fill
valves, I also found a bit of rust.  When I stuck a finger inside and felt
the inside of the tank, it was wet, and my finger came out coated with damp,
rusty material.

Hmmm!  A flashlight showed the interior of the tank looked damp, rusty, and
a bit bumpy.

There was quite a bit of information in the archives about rust on the
outside of the propane tank, (and the new server makes searching a
pleasure!) but I couldn't find anything about the inside.

Doing a couple of internet searches didn't bring up any information either,
except for the interesting fact that rust inside the tank can absorb the
odor-producing chemical that is added to propane, so there won't be any
smell if it leaks.  :-(  Fortunately few of our vans have basements to fill
with propane and explode, but it does make one think.

I have gotten opposite opinions from the propane and RV dealers.  The
propane shop says if there is any rust inside the tank, discard it.  The RV
dealer says there is moisture in propane, so rust is common.  He recommends
putting some marbles inside the tank, agitating vigorously to knock any
loose rust off the walls, washing it out, and letting it dry thoroughly
before putting new valves in place.

I hate it when the 'Experts' disagree.  Has anyone else had this problem, or
know of authoritative places to look for more information?

Mike Finkbiner
'87 Westy
Moscow, ID

mike_l_f@hotmail.com

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