When I had my tank tested at the local propane shop, they also used a spray bottle (and
found the leak). A sniffer would be nice for those hard to reach fittings like inside the cabinet
for the fridge and stove though.

On 5 May 2006 at 21:31, Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM> wrote:

> When I bought my first house the gas company guy came to turn on the gas and
> check all the fittings (they kinda sorta insist on this optional service here).
> He kept hooking things up, opening the valve and checking with his sniffer for a
> while. Then he'd put the sniffer away and pull out his spray bottle and spray
> all the connections. He actually found two leaks that way that didn't register
> on the sniffer. Said that was pretty common. He said they're 'supposed' to use
> the sniffer, so he did. Then he used the spray bottle like he always had.
> Reminded me of watching old-timers do calculations with a calculator and then
> checking them all over by hand to make sure they were right.
>
> Cya,
> Robert
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kim Brennan" <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 9:03 PM
> Subject: Re: New Propane tank and Regulator Fitting
>
>
> >I replaced my propane tank recently, so a couple of things to
> > mention. First, get some brake cleaner and Super Penetrant. Use the
> > brake cleaner to get any grime off the connections. Use some of the
> > Super Penetrant on the nuts that hold the old propane tank in place.
> > You should not need to use it on the propane connectors.
> >
> > To get the old lines off. You should use one wrench to hold the T in
> > place, and another to loosen the nut holding the flange on the pipe
> > to the T. It's not held on exceedingly tight. Just gas tight. With
> > the copper lines disconnected you'll have a couple of choices...but
> > before you go any further....
> >
> > Do you want to work on the pipes and cut them down to the proper
> > size? The new regulator is longer, so you'll need to cut about 1 1/2
> > inches off the exist pipes, and you'll then need to reflange them. If
> > you do this, you should also have a way to check the new fittings for
> > leaks.
> >
> > I bought (a number of years ago) a hydrocarbon sniffer. Not a cheap
> > tool, but it is better than your nose at smelling leaks in propane
> > lines. After I trimmed my lines and reflanged, I tightened things
> > up....and then turned on the gas and use the sniffer. Yep. Leaks.
> > Closed things down, and I redid things, and then rechecked. Found
> > another leak. Tightened that up and no leaks.
> >
> > But, I've got the tools. The proper tools make this about a 1 hour
> > job. If you don't have the tools....reuse the old regulator unless
> > you know it is bad. You won't have to trim or bend the old copper
> > lines and it will be a lot easier on you. But you'll still need to
> > check for leaks. Most back yard mechanics will use the soap bubble
> > test. I never have.
> >
> >
> > On May 5, 2006, at 6:43 PM, Jarrett Kupcinski wrote:
> >
> >> The story:
> >>
> >> I bought a new propane tank from Bus Depot and regulator to replace
> >> my old
> >> rusty one.  It arrived, and I began the process of removing the old
> >> today.
> >> I found that the old regulator was visibly in good shape (it had been
> >> covered).
> >>
> >> The problem:
> >>
> >> Of course, installing the new regulator requires adjusting the
> >> length of the
> >> propane lines as it is longer than the old stock one.
> >> Additionally, the
> >> propane lines are quite frozen to the old regulator.  I don't want
> >> to force
> >> it and damage the lines, requiring me to replace those, too.
> >>
> >> The question:
> >>
> >> Would the regulator go "bad?"  Could I use the old one safely?  Or
> >> should I
> >> just go ahead and use the new one, adjusting the lines as necessary?
> >>
> >> I welcome any advice or thoughts on the matter.  I really don't
> >> want to turn
> >> the van into a ball of fire.  Thanks!
>

Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'82 Diesel Westy 1.6NA
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA