This may be normal behavior. When you turn on the valve at the propane tank,
the regulator and downstream plumbing become pressurized. That's what causes
the sound that you hear. It's also possible for some propane to escape via
the vent on the regulator. If this only happens when you turn the propane
feed on, and there are no leaks with the valve turned on, I wouldn't be too
concerned about it. If your regulator is old (10 or more years), you might
consider replacing it as it doesn't really cost too much ($20 for the part).
Be sure to use a 2-stage regulator, not one of the single-stage BBQ grill
regulators. I'm in the process of replacing my regulator and valve and will
give a full report to the list when I'm done.

-Mark McCulley

Make sure the valve stem isn't leaking

At 12:17 PM 3/31/98 -0500, Stephen Davis wrote:
>Hey Volks,
>        I'm starting to get my van out of storage and I've discoverd a
problem.  I openned the propane valve
>and I started to hear hissing and smell propane.  I put soapy water all
over the system looking for a leak and
>found none (it was 28 F out side at the time so that may have influenced
something).  Any ideas?
>        TIA
>
>Later,
>Stehen Davis
>85 Westie
>