Leak from new lpg filler install…by specialist..

[ianto999]

Asked a ‘specialist’ lpg dealer to transfer my gaslow bottle and hose to new van this week. They had fitted to old van without any issues. This time I asked them to Use an autogas bumper bolt bracket (which they liked) and new fill adaptor. Tried first fill today and heard an unusual hissing noise. Stopped pump (pdq…!!) and noticed vapour leaking where hose meets filler..
I presume hose not tightened enough?
Anything else obvious in photo?
Obviously needs to go back and get sorted…

 

[Manic]

I wonder why the bracket holding the fill point is so long and unsupported near the fill point.
I wouldn’t be happy with that.

 

[DavidG58]

I have never seen a filler pipe like that , where were you filling

Edit - looking again it looks more normal , but odd to see the fill fitting unprotected

 

[lorger]

The last time I tried to fill up the pump kept stopping after a second, on investigation the filler pipe had came loose I assume with vibration. I also assumed the pump had a safety device that cut out if low pressure so I’m surprised this didn’t happen, plus I wouldn’t be happy and would contacting the dealer.

 

[Barti Ddu]

That looks like a pretty poor installation to me. The support bracket looks far too long and the fill point looks barely supported. Also, the whole thing looks too low down and therefore vulnerable to being knocked on low kerbs when reversing.

Ps. I'd also strongly advise not to be poking unprotected / non-certified-safe-for-explosive-atmospheres electronic devices (smartphone) around the dispenser and fill point when it's clearly spewing LPG all over the place.

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[ianto999]

That looks like a pretty poor installation to me. The support bracket looks far too long and the fill point looks barely supported. Also, the whole thing looks too low down and therefore vulnerable to being knocked on low kerbs when reversing.

Ps. I'd also strongly advise not to be poking unprotected / non-certified-safe-for-explosive-atmospheres electronic devices (smartphone) around the dispenser and fill point when it's clearly spewing LPG all over the place.

Yes - agreed, but decided long range shot was going to help. Only lasted a few seconds but enough to make me park it in a quiet place for a while.

That looks like a pretty poor installation to me. The support bracket looks far too long and the fill point looks barely supported. Also, the whole thing looks too low down and therefore vulnerable to being knocked on low kerbs when reversing.

Ps. I'd also strongly advise not to be poking unprotected / non-certified-safe-for-explosive-atmospheres electronic devices (smartphone) around the dispenser and fill point when it's clearly spewing LPG all over the place.

The bracket feels really solid, better than some of the one I’ve seen drilled into other vans.

 

[ianto999]

The last time I tried to fill up the pump kept stopping after a second, on investigation the filler pipe had came loose I assume with vibration. I also assumed the pump had a safety device that cut out if low pressure so I’m surprised this didn’t happen, plus I wouldn’t be happy and would contacting the dealer.

I can’t tell if the pump would have cut out, as I stopped the pump pretty quickly too. When nozzle released, felt like usual pressure release.

 

[ianto999]

Went back to installer, re tightened fittings and all good now. When they test they use bottle, which has less pressure than pump.
Best to find an installer with a pump if you can. Apparently JIC? Fittings not all manufactured to same tolerance, and I had an old hose and new filler, so perhaps that played into it too.?

 

[ChrisL]

Yes - agreed, but decided long range shot was going to help. Only lasted a few seconds but enough to make me park it in a quiet place for a while.

The bracket feels really solid, better than some of the one I’ve seen drilled into other vans.
View attachment 946040View attachment 946040

I really don't like the design of that, I assume it is stainless steel? I could see that developing a crack across the fold where it bolts to the body through vibration.

 

[Twoleftfeet]

Looks a bit vulnerable to me, speed bumps, ferry boarding etc?

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[bigtwin]

I wonder why the bracket holding the fill point is so long and unsupported near the fill point.
I wouldn’t be happy with that.

Me neither, that’s a terrible design. The loading on that during filling will be significant.

That looks like a pretty poor installation to me. The support bracket looks far too long and the fill point looks barely supported.

Agreed. I wouldn’t be happy with it.

I really don't like the design of that,

It’s not great is it.

Ian

 

[Thornebt]

Surely they should have pressure tested the system? I had a new underslung tank fitted recently. When I paid I asked if it had been pressure tested and the lady in the office said that it wouldn't have been able to leave the workshop if it hadn't. I don't know if they test it with compressed air. There's no LPG in it as far as I know.

I'm filling it up today for the first time - hopefully without any hissing noises!

 

[Thornebt]

Edit - just read comments above that the installer did pressure test the install.

 

[PaulW2]

I fitted one of those fillers to my PVC. Feels very solid - really thick gauge galvanised steel. (And no holes in bodywork or skirts, no potential leaking into voids.)

I reported it on here when I did it and there was lots of commentary about the risk of damaging it reversing over kerbs etc. And some who said they have it and that has never happened.

Well, it hasn't happened to me yet.

And it's worth remembering that the hose to the filler point is not under pressure and connected to the gas system in normal use. So if you clobber it - it's not that low - it would be inconvenient but not a particular safety risk.

The undertightened fitting can happen to anyone and any installation I would think.

 

[Richard n Ann]

They have an "auxiliary hose" for filling and testing the installation, it connects to the normal filling point and the LPG comes from a bottle.
You can buy them for connecting Spanish bottles if you don't want to move the van to fill up.

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[eddie]

We had a bulk LPG tank installed when we started fitting Gaslow so everything could be tested properly.

 

[Bessy765]

There is a non return valve at the tank and bottle plus the non return valve at the filler point. If you ripped off the filler and hose the gas in the hose would escape and should not effect the tank/bottle. I belive there are rules (others on here will know better) about the minimum clearance of an underslung tank to ground, I would have thought that would also apply to any fill point. I personally would not have a fill point that low down and or at the rear of my motorhome, ferry ramp’s, careless drivers etc. it may only be a small amount of gas in the filler hose but still presents a risk if damaged and leaking. A little liquid gas goes a long way.

 

[GrahamnSue]

I wonder if you had the same problem as me.
Collected new motorhome and the dealer had changed over our existing bottles but fitted all new pipes. Went to fill up but it wouldn't accept any gas and the pressure forced the O ring out from my bayonet adaptor and I had liquid lpg running down the side of the motorhome.
After hurriedly pouring water over the side of my motorhome I reconnected the filler hose and the same thing happened again, so I cleaned up, paid for the two pounds worth of lpg that ended up on the floor and left.
About 3 weeks later I called in at the same filling station and it filled without problem.
Could the non return valve have been jammed, or was it operator error, although I have filled up lots of times during the past 25 years.

 

[Lenny HB]

I filled up last night first time since I replumbed the filler hoses and fitted a new filler as didn't like the way the dealer did it when they swapped my bottles over.

No problems, if you want a job doing properly do it yourself.

 

[TrudeandDall]

I filled up last night first time since I replumbed the filler hoses and fitted a new filler as didn't like the way the dealer did it when they swapped my bottles over.

No problems, if you want a job doing properly do it yourself.

And carry the appropriate spanners with you for your first fill, just incase you need to tighten things up. The joints have to be really tight as there is quite a bit of pressure in the fill line.

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[Basildog]

They have an "auxiliary hose" for filling and testing the installation, it connects to the normal filling point and the LPG comes from a bottle.
You can buy them for connecting Spanish bottles if you don't want to move the van to fill up.

We have a trolley mounted liquid phase tank with a filler gun as a workshop test rig , once satisfied with the installation then we will fill the system on our LPG pump .
As we install a lot of gas pipe work we will initially test with air on a brand new installation of low pressure pipe work . An air test alone is not a satisfactory test , also an air test can only be performed on a brand new installation , never after it’s had gas in .

 

[Lenny HB]

And carry the appropriate spanners with you for your first fill, just incase you need to tighten things up. The joints have to be really tight as there is quite a bit of pressure in the fill line.

Those type of joints shouldn't be that tight, I've seen fitting cracked where they have been over tightened.

 

[Nanniemate]

I filled up last night first time since I replumbed the filler hoses and fitted a new filler as didn't like the way the dealer did it when they swapped my bottles over.

No problems, if you want a job doing properly do it yourself.

Or get Lenny HB to do it for you

 

[Bessy765]

We have a trolley mounted liquid phase tank with a filler gun as a workshop test rig , once satisfied with the installation then we will fill the system on our LPG pump .
As we install a lot of gas pipe work we will initially test with air on a brand new installation of low pressure pipe work . An air test alone is not a satisfactory test , also an air test can only be performed on a brand new installation , never after it’s had gas in .

That’s what you get when you deal with the (Real) professional’s (like (B****dog)

 

[carolyn]

It’s really worrying when people like the OP go to so called experts to get a job done professionally and they still don’t really do a proper test. It’s all very well people like Lenny HB saying do it yourself but people like Nick and I are absolutely clueless! A few months ago Basildog went to great lengths trying to explain why the standalone gas cylinders with the feedback connectors to lpg tanks really aren’t a god idea even though lots of Funsters do it. I tried really hard to understand and I’m not dumb. In the end I just accepted he knew best.

It has proved rather costly, we bought a new van with diesel heating plus lithium for our trip to Iceland next year! We now have a short list of true experts we will listen to and when the need arises we’ll pay good money to. Hoses 5 yrs, new LPG tank 10yrs unless we buy a new van!!!

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[PeterCarole29]

I wonder why the bracket holding the fill point is so long and unsupported near the fill point.
I wouldn’t be happy with that.

If your talking about the long stainless steel tube it’s part of the pump

 

[PeterCarole29]

It’s really worrying when people like the OP go to so called experts to get a job done professionally and they still don’t really do a proper test. It’s all very well people like Lenny HB saying do it yourself but people like Nick and I are absolutely clueless! A few months ago Basildog went to great lengths trying to explain why the standalone gas cylinders with the feedback connectors to lpg tanks really aren’t a god idea even though lots of Funsters do it. I tried really hard to understand and I’m not dumb. In the end I just accepted he knew best.

It has proved rather costly, we bought a new van with diesel heating plus lithium for our trip to Iceland next year! We now have a short list of true experts we will listen to and when the need arises we’ll pay good money to. Hoses 5 yrs, new LPG tank 10yrs unless we buy a new van!!!

I think it’s unfair to name someone who gives good advice in that negative way
It is easy to do if your well informed and competent
It’s up to the person to do there own risk assessment. you can see by the comments so far there are a lot of clueless people who should leave gas well alone commenting nothing personal to anyone but true

 

[ChrisL]

If your talking about the long stainless steel tube it’s part of the pump

They're referring to the bracket, see post #6 for a picture of the bracket by itself, I would have added triangular supports to each side as there is no support at the filler end, so the bracket can flex at the fold where it is bolted to the body which will cause work hardening (metal fatigue) ultimately leading to a fracture. The filler nozzle, the stainless tube to which you refer is quite heavy so every time it is attached it will be pulling the bracket downwards and every time it is removed it will spring back up.

 

[carolyn]

I think it’s unfair to name someone who gives good advice in that negative way
It is easy to do if your well informed and competent
It’s up to the person to do there own risk assessment. you can see by the comments so far there are a lot of clueless people who should leave gas well alone commenting nothing personal to anyone but trueunbelievably helpful regarding so very many things. It was not meant as a personal insult to him. He has certainly helped us with lots of advice and there has been much teasing banter between us over the years. If he has taken offence then I do hope he lets me know so that I can apologise to him personally. I thought he would realise that I was using him as an example of someone who is very clever and knowlegeable. He has virtually redone the electrics etc on his new van.

My post was more about how very difficult it is for clueless people like me who pay professionals in good faith but are let down.

 

[carolyn]

I think it’s unfair to name someone who gives good advice in that negative way
It is easy to do if your well informed and competent
It’s up to the person to do there own risk assessment. you can see by the comments so far there are a lot of clueless people who should leave gas well alone commenting nothing personal to anyone but true

Lenny HB has given us lots of advice over the years and it was not meant as a personal insult, it was purely an example of someone who is very knowledgeable compared to us who are absolutely clueless. If Lenny feels insulted then I do hope he lets me know so that I can apologise personally. I am extremely envious of his skills. He has recently rewired his entire van plus so much more.

My post was more about clueless people who pay professionals in good faith and are let down.

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