Maurizio-

From the information I have from Manchester (my propane tank maker) the air
must be purged before propane can be put into the tank.  Take a look at
their website <  www.mantank.com  >  and see if their info is helpful to
you.  I'd suggest you go to a LP gas dealer not a propane fill station like
at a gas station.  The dealer might have the right equipment to purge the
air.  In my yellow pages there are a few dealers under "Gas-Propane."  If
you can't find one with the right equipment an RV service center might be
able to help you.  If any Westy veterans know an easier fix no doubt
they'll post the answer soon.

Bruce Wilbur
87 Westy syncro

>On 4/22/99 Maurizio Penna wrote -

>I searched the archives on this subject but the results were inconclusive.
>
>Today I went to 4 different propane stations and none of them could fill
>my 86 Westy propane tank.
>
>The pump automatically shuts off after delivering approximately 10 cents
>of propane and propane shoots out the side as if it were full.  We tried
>filling with the brass valve (towards back of vehicle)  both open and
>closed.
>
>After that, propane leaks out from the small hole located under the fill
>valve.  Opening the brass valve only allows more propane out from the
>tank.
>
>The tank was recently removed from the van, completely drained, painted
>and pressure tested.  Therefore it is completely empty of propane (As is
>sat for some time with all fittings removed).
>
>Any ideas / proper filling procedures ? What does the red button do
>(towards front of vehicle) I don't have the owner's manuals.  Any help
>would be appreciated.
>
>M