In a message dated 07/03/2005 1:41:49 PM Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

So I have an 85 westy with a non-fillable propane  tank.  Apparently it
has the aluminum autofill valve, which is not  rebuildable.  The RV place I
took it to claims the only choice is to  replace the whole tank.  I am loathe
to do this though, both for money  reasons (~$360) and because I don't want to
throw away a perfectly good  tank just because some stupid spring has weakened
(as i assume has  happened).  So...

Anyone have any  suggestions?  Can I order a value from somewhere and
replace it  myself?  Apparently these autofill thigns are no longer made...If
 I
put on a manual valve, how does a propane filling person avoid  overfilling
the
tank?  The RV place I took it to says mechanically a  new valve can be fitted,
but they won't do it for liability  reasons.

So,  suggestions?

This is another one of those items that has  been covered numerous times.
Check the archives.  The Auto Stop  valves are no longer available as they were
prone to problems and never did work  well.  Change the valve to a standard
fill valve and in place of the elbow  fitting that goes to the auto fill valve
with the small tube install a bleed  valve this is how the fill person knows
it's at the 80% mark.  It a very  simple procedure and the parts are not
expensive.  You can do this  yourself.  Use Teflon tape for propane service fittings
on the threads of  the fitting before installing.  Check for leaks after
filling with a spray  of soapy water.  You may have a problem buying the valves as
some suppliers  will not sell them to the general pubic.  Check other places
or  on-line.  If you cannot find them I can supply them from my Propane
supplier.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com