Is it normal to hear gas escaping when just filled via gaslow

[Ads86]

I did my first Spanish LPG fill earlier today. When the pump stopped I took off my adapter and I noticed the sound of a small amount of gas escaping. When I put the gaslow cap back on this seemed to stop.

Is this normal? I'm thinking it's just an excess pressure situation? I've not noticed it before when filling in the UK but I've never had my head close enough to hear anything.

Cheers

 

[Lenny HB]

No, sounds like the non return valve in the filler is not closing properly. Maybe some grit in it. Best to fit a new filler.

 

[Ads86]

I've just been and checked on the bottles again and I can't hear anything leaking now, however from full earlier this afternoon they are just showing as just over 3/4 full now on the none accurate green/red gauge. The gas hasn't been lasting as long as I had expected either but I have nothing to compare it to as it's a new van/system to me.

Do you think it's still safe to use?

 

[Geistguy]

I thought it was quite normal for a small amount of gas to "escape" when detaching the nozzle from the valve, that's why gloves are recommended because gas is a very low temperature.

 

[L' Hobo]

Could it be that the gun wasn't on 100% and there was a small leak while you were filling which has frozen on the filler and now you can hear is this small frozen amount, turning back into gas?

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[Terry]

If it’s leaking then NO ! Can you get leak detection spray ? If not then use Fairy liquid watered down about 30 to 1 shake and spray that on all joints to see if it bubbles, that will show where it’s leaking.
It’s normal for you to get a gas escape when you remove the filling hose but this makes a shush sound for a second.

 

[monzer]

I'd also check the 90° elbow on the other side of the filler point. They have been known to hairline crack producing a small leak.

 

[Terry]

Another way to check if you have a leak -turn gas bottle on to pressure the system then turn bottle off leave for a couple of mins then turn gas cooker on and listen for a gas escape. No escape means you have a leak

 

[WESTY66]

I thought it was quite normal for a small amount of gas to "escape" when detaching the nozzle from the valve, that's why gloves are recommended because gas is a very low temperature.

It always happens when I detach the nozzle from the van Has done on every van I’ve had, just a quick whoosh for a split second, could this be what the op means?

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I've just been and checked on the bottles again and I can't hear anything leaking now, however from full earlier this afternoon they are just showing as just over 3/4 full now on the none accurate green/red gauge. The gas hasn't been lasting as long as I had expected either but I have nothing to compare it to as it's a new van/system to me.

Do you think it's still safe to use?

I would check all your connections with a leak detector spray. If you haven't got any then as a backstop use a soap solution applied with a small brush.but make sure you wipe all the soap off afterwards as it can corrode brass after a time.
If you see any leaks just nip up the joints but don't overtightened as you can crack the cuts. Check the fill point outlet as well.

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[B+W vanman]

I would check all your connections with a leak detector spray. If you haven't got any then as a backstop use a soap solution applied with a small brush.but make sure you wipe all the soap off afterwards as it can corrode brass after a time.
If you see any leaks just nip up the joints but don't overtightened as you can crack the cuts. Check the fill point outlet as well.

I did my first Spanish LPG fill earlier today. When the pump stopped I took off my adapter and I noticed the sound of a small amount of gas escaping. When I put the gaslow cap back on this seemed to stop.

Is this normal? I'm thinking it's just an excess pressure situation? I've not noticed it before when filling in the UK but I've never had my head close enough to hear anything.

Cheers

From you, or the van?
Just askin’

 

[StillGoing]

If it’s leaking then NO ! Can you get leak detection spray ? If not then use Fairy liquid watered down about 30 to 1 shake and spray that on all joints to see if it bubbles, that will show where it’s leaking.
It’s normal for you to get a gas escape when you remove the filling hose but this makes a shush sound for a second.

Gasit say don’t use washing up liquid or soap.

https://www.gasit.co.uk/support/knowledgebase.php?article=71

 

[Terry]

Gasit say don’t use washing up liquid or soap.

https://www.gasit.co.uk/support/knowledgebase.php?article=71

Not saying it’s right to use it but if OP has not got any gas detection spray it gets them out of a hole Just m like my solution to check his gas line for a leak - Funny how plumbers used it for donkey years without problems until detecting spray was made.
Anyway it’s people like you that stop helpful people like me from bothering to post so I’ll leave this thread to you and all the keyboard warriors that have never converted a van, but because they read something they know best.

 

[Jwats]

the filler has a non return and so do the bottles. If you heard a slight hiss and that has since gone it may of been that the fill
Line non return had got grit in it so it would only vent the pressure in the fill lines and then nothing else which could explain why the hissing has stopped. Soap and water would be fine as a one off just try and dry it off so doesn’t dry onto the pipe but most will be stainless steel so wouldn’t worry and just crack on to put your own mind at ease

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Gasit say don’t use washing up liquid or soap.

https://www.gasit.co.uk/support/knowledgebase.php?article=71

If you use soapy water constantly .yes it will corrode "eventually" but it's not going to do any harm for a one off check. It's better than having an undetected gas leak. I also presume gasit don't advocate looking for a leak with a naked flame also.
Common sense or not?

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[MichaelT]

Gasit say don’t use washing up liquid or soap.

https://www.gasit.co.uk/support/knowledgebase.php?article=71

Just make sure you wash it off with clean water after

 

[Just smiffy]

Do you have one of those Spanish non return adapters…? And when you unscrew it leaks out gas trapped in it..?

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

You could always try using a match ....... only joking

 

[Basildog]

Funny how plumbers used it for donkey years without problems until detecting spray was made.

Or consider that they actually learnt from their mistakes?
Our fitter has been in the LPG automotive and leisure industry for about 40 years , as he said they used to lather everything in washing up liquid many years back before LDF was available, after a few years they couldn’t get fittings apart and the corrosion Literally welded some components together making it impossible to service them .
LDF is basically non corrosive unlike washing up liquid, we can tell immediately when idiots have been using washing up liquid

Just make sure you wash it off with clean water after

It’s almost impossible to wash it off properly and it seems to accelerate the electrolytic corrosion process especially in the vans with aluminium gas lockers .

 

[Terry]

Or consider that they actually learnt from their mistakes?
Our fitter has been in the LPG automotive and leisure industry for about 40 years , as he said they used to lather everything in washing up liquid many years back before LDF was available, after a few years they couldn’t get fittings apart and the corrosion Literally welded some components together making it impossible to service them .
LDF is basically non corrosive unlike washing up liquid, we can tell immediately when idiots have been using washing up liquid

It’s almost impossible to wash it off properly and it seems to accelerate the electrolytic corrosion process especially in the vans with aluminium gas lockers .

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[Terry]

Or consider that they actually learnt from their mistakes?
Our fitter has been in the LPG automotive and leisure industry for about 40 years , as he said they used to lather everything in washing up liquid many years back before LDF was available, after a few years they couldn’t get fittings apart and the corrosion Literally welded some components together making it impossible to service them .
LDF is basically non corrosive unlike washing up liquid, we can tell immediately when idiots have been using washing up liquid

It’s almost impossible to wash it off properly and it seems to accelerate the electrolytic corrosion process especially in the vans with aluminium gas lockers .

If you’re going to quote my post don’t edit it or at least read it properly. I told the OP not to use his gas if he thought it had a leak and to check it with leak detection spray -I suggested he could use the washing up liquid to get him out of a hole so he could still use his van I also told him how he could test his gas with a second method in the next but 1 post after.
I have also known about the Washing liquid seizing up for about 40 years just the same as I know I would use it if I was stuck rather than let the van catch fire or blowing it up. I am far from being an idiot

 

[L' Hobo]

I can recommend the Honeywell EzSENSE Flammable Gas Detector!
VERY sensitive to ALL types of gasses Butane, Propane, LPG, LNG and even Natural Gas!

 

[Ads86]

As I'm in a spot I used the fairy liquid method. No leaks detected. I'm going to keep an eye on it till I get back to the UK in April and add it to the list of jobs to be sorted. I've ordered some leak detection spray from Amazon also, just to be safe.

Thanks for all the help

 

[Lenny HB]

As I'm in a spot I used the fairy liquid method. No leaks detected. I'm going to keep an eye on it till I get back to the UK in April and add it to the list of jobs to be sorted. I've ordered some leak detection spray from Amazon also, just to be safe.

Thanks for all the help

In your first post you said it was leaking out of the inlet, it that is the case the only gas to leak would be in the inlet pipe as there are non return valves in the bottles as well as the inlet. So once that has leaked out there won't be any gas leak to detect.

As I said it's probably grunt in the inlet non return valve.

 

[Ads86]

In your first post you said it was leaking out of the inlet, it that is the case the only gas to leak would be in the inlet pipe as there are non return valves in the bottles as well as the inlet. So once that smell a out has leaked out there won't be any leak to detect.

As I said it's probably grunt in the inlet non return valve.

I'm going to get a new inlet pipe like you suggested. I'm not sure how many years this kit has been in use. The previous owner had the gaslow inlet valve installed within the lpg locker rather than on the outside of the van so I'd hope that would keep any debris out but possibly not.

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[Lenny HB]

I'm going to get a new inlet pipe like you suggested. I'm not sure how many years this kit has been in use. The previous owner had the gaslow inlet valve installed within the lpg locker rather than on the outside of the van so I'd hope that would keep any debris out but possibly not.

It's probably just the inlet that needs replacing.
All the hoses should be replaced at 10 years.

 

[Ads86]

It's only just had a hab check last a few weeks ago. I take it this would be something they would check? Possibly not in enough detail to discover pipe leaks as it's only happening with is filled, as far as I am aware.

I get the feeling the old owner didn't use it much LPG but we seem to be going through two 13kilo bottles in roughly 2 weeks (however this was while we were in the UK with the alde wet heating on a lot)

It's lasting a while longer now are in Spain and only using it for hot water and the fridge.