Hi Ralph

I had the same problem with the autostop fill valve.
Finally I gave up on the @#$%@#!% thing and installed a
standard American fill valve and bleed valve (Choice 4 of David Beierl)
and haven't had a problem with it since.  It cost me about $20 total and it
is no big deal to install it yourself.  A propane shop will do it too.

Alfred

----- Original Message -----
From: David Beierl <dbeierl@IBM.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 1999 7:52 PM
Subject: Re: Propane Dealer

> At 21:24 10/11/99 , Ralph Geho wrote:
> >Does anyone know of a reliable propane dealer in the Columbus, Ohio
> >area?  The ones I have tried hire High school kids that only know how to
> >fill up motor homes or gas grills.  The last propane guy told me to
>
>
> Ralph, for propane purposes the Westy is a motor home.  It uses the same 1
> 3/4" Acme connection as any other RV.  Tank capacity is ten pounds or
about
> three gallons, which is a lot less than the fill jockeys may expect, so
> make sure the bleed valve is open *before* they start the pump.
>
> If the problem is operating the Autostop valve on those Westies that have
> them, someone here can quote the directions exactly -- but basically, you
> close the outlet valve on your tank, remove the yellow plastic cover from
> the fill valve, connect the fill hose, open the bleed screw on the fill
> valve *all the way,* open the valve on the fill hose, and press in the
> button on the left side of the fill valve.  If the valve is good, it
should
> start filling and continue until liquid starts from the bleed vent, then
> stop filling.  At that point you close the bleed screw on the fill valve,
> shut off the valve on the fill hose, open the bleed screw on the fill hose
> to depressurize the valve so you can remove the fill hose, remove the fill
> hose, replace yellow plastic cap on fill valve, reopen outlet valve and
> restart refrigerator, (pay the man) and leave.  Normal procedure except
for
> the button on the fill valve.
>
> If you have an autostop valve that doesn't work, you have some choices:
>
> 1) If it has a brass body you can get a rebuild kit from Marshall Brass.
> 2) If  has a zinc body you can't.
> 3) If you want to remain stock you can replace the valve with another
> Autostop.  They are no longer made and quite expensive.  I have one for
> sale (unused, brass) if you're interested.
> 4) If you simply want it to work, replace (or have replaced) the valve
with
> a standard 1 3/4" Acme fill valve and standard manual bleed valve.  These
> are available from Propane and some RV places.
>
> regds
> david
>
> David Beierl - Providence, RI
> '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
> '85 GL "Poor Relation"