Yeah, on some valves turning the stem all the way out will compress
the packing washer, creating a tighter seal.  The Westy tank valve
isn't like this.

I could see how that o-ring would commonly leak in the middle of the
valve range; there would be more wear and corrosion in the middle.
But any kind of leakage means the valve is failing, even if the
leakage stops when turned all the way out.  A propane leak is not
acceptable.

New valves aren't that expensive either (maybe $50) so that's another
good option for a leaking service valve.

Ryan

On Sat, Nov 23, 2013 at 10:08 PM, chris and/or ruth
<populuxe59@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I know on some valves, there is a solid seal formed when the center plug is all the way up or all the way down. When it's in between, it relies on only an O-ring to seal and that is not designed to hold back the gas full time, it is intended only for valve operation.
>
> Other valves need to be turned all the way in or out---then turned back a quarter turn after the stop.
>
> Which style would a propane tank be?
>
> Chris 3
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> Re: Repairing the propane turn on valve
>
> Um, I set my valve to either on or off. What's the point of a partway
> setting?
>
> --
> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
> Bend, Ore.