Discussion:
propane leak

Hello All,
New to this forum and in dire need of help.
After changing the propane tank the pressure relief valve on the bulkhead filter started hissing and leaking fuel when I tried to start the engine. When I knocked on the AFC 121 12v fuel shutoff valve the engine tried to start but died after a second or so.
I took the shutoff valve off and tested it on a 12v battery and the solenoid clicked, indicating it's working. Where could the problem be???
Any input greatly appreciated
  • Posted 9 Aug 2020 00:43
  • By AustroTom
  • joined 9 Aug'20 - 3 messages
  • California, United States
Thomas
Showing items 1 - 4 of 4 results.
Yes, the bulkhead filter is the one right after the tank before going into the fuel shutoff valve. I wanted to post pictures but I haven't figured out yet on how to do that here.
I will definitely replace that relief valve.
  • Posted 16 Aug 2020 23:54
  • By AustroTom
  • joined 9 Aug'20 - 3 messages
  • California, United States
Thomas
ok i need to know what you mean by 'bulkhead filter'.
if you mean the inline filter mounted back where the tank is then it might be heat related but it should still hold the pressure just like the pressure relief does on the tank itself.
in either case to be safe i would replace it.
  • Posted 16 Aug 2020 04:20
  • By swoop223
  • joined 23 Mar'12 - 3,691 messages
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com
Hello Swoop,
Thank you for your reply!
It actually turns out to be the pressure relief valve at the bulkhead filter.
Since this never happened before but now after I switched to a new full tank, I'm thinking either the tank's pressure is too high or since the forklift was sitting outside in the 95 + deg. weather the tank might have just been overpressured?
I will look for a replacement valve online and see if the current one is just faulty.
Thomas
  • Posted 16 Aug 2020 01:20
  • By AustroTom
  • joined 9 Aug'20 - 3 messages
  • California, United States
Thomas
if you hear gas leaking past anything look at that part as being the problem.
the shutoff valve should not be causing any leaks at any other part other than to supply fuel to the converter/regulator and then on to the fuel mixer on the engine.
If you are hearing fuel coming from the mixer on the engine even with the key off then the fuel shutoff valve is stuck open (not completely closing) and should be replaced.
There is a neoprene seal on the valve inside that shutoff valve that deteriorates over time and can cause this issue. There is no way to effectively repair it, you just have to replace the shutoff valve. The mixer also has a diaphragm in it that should hold back the fuel when pressurized, if it is leaking past that then your converter/regulator may be bad causing over pressure to the mixer. You'll need to do a pressure test on the delivery side of that to verify the operating pressure which should be very low pressure, usually 2 to 7 psi. The converter should have the spec stamped on it, and there is a pressure test port plug usually so put your test guage at that test port.
If you want to be sure where all the leaks are coming from you can get a spray bottle and some soapy water mixture and spray down all the hoses, fittings, pretty much any part of that fuel system and if there is a leak somewhere it will show up with bubbles.
  • Posted 16 Aug 2020 00:16
  • Modified 16 Aug 2020 00:19 by poster
  • By swoop223
  • joined 23 Mar'12 - 3,691 messages
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com

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