Discussion:
Water in the LP tank ???

Anyone ever see this happen? It is a new one for me. Customer said he changed tanks and his truck would not start. He said he thought there was water in the LP tank. I thought "yeah, right". I pulled the hose off the carb and sure enough it looked like water. Pulled the spark plugs and all were wet. I was thinking that maybe the Impco regulator had corroded enough to let the coolant get in to the fuel chamber. Then I checked the hose connector up by the tank and it sure looked like droplets of water. Took the tank and hose off, set it on the floor and opened the valve. Water came roaring out. Very wierd.
  • Posted 5 Sep 2012 21:57
  • By mrfixit
  • joined 11 Dec'08 - 1,434 messages
  • New York, United States
Showing items 1 - 12 of 12 results.
good deal

I'm sure mattlock would be proud of you for such a quick investigation!
  • Posted 11 Sep 2012 02:46
  • By swoop223
  • joined 23 Mar'12 - 3,691 messages
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com
I hope Hank gets the death penalty, or life w/ no parole at the very least.
  • Posted 10 Sep 2012 03:04
  • By 7777
  • joined 8 Mar'11 - 649 messages
  • New York, United States
thanks for the assistance. JCFORKLIFT@gmail.COM
I have seen water in LPG tanks in the past, more from a build up of moisture and condensation in a tank, and one of the reasons that what I refer to as "correct" LPG tank filling is done with a scale, (by weight), and not just by watching the stream of fuel from the vent (by a volume guess).
An empty tank has a certain weight, and a tank full of gas will weigh differently than a tank with water in it.
  • Posted 9 Sep 2012 22:21
  • By edward_t
  • joined 5 Mar'08 - 2,334 messages
  • South Carolina, United States
"it's not rocket surgery"
Good info. A first for hearing of it for me!
  • Posted 9 Sep 2012 14:07
  • By Forkliftt
  • joined 13 Jul'09 - 321 messages
  • Louisiana, United States
UPDATE:
An investigation was started and the propane representative was brought in for questioning. This is how it went down, with me embellishing some. I believe he went by the name Hank Hill. Hank was led into the interrogation room and put under a hot spot light. The tape recorder was turned on. Question 1, "how do you test propane tanks" Hank says, "every 10 years they are hydrostatically tested using water". Question 2, "do you have your's done"? Hank says, "why yes, we just got a batch back from being tested". At this point said tank was wheeled into the room and inspected. A fresh stamped date of 8/12 was observed. The DA gave a nod and then Hank was led away in handcuffs. The book has been closed on this investigation.

P. S. The forklift has made a full recovery from this traumatic assault on it's fuel system and spark plugs.
  • Posted 8 Sep 2012 04:50
  • By mrfixit
  • joined 11 Dec'08 - 1,434 messages
  • New York, United States
You know I never thought that maybe the water in the tank is a new dictate for a, "green solution" out from Washinton.
  • Posted 7 Sep 2012 09:07
  • Modified 11 Sep 2012 22:39 by administrator
  • By 7777
  • joined 8 Mar'11 - 649 messages
  • New York, United States
thanks for the assistance. JCFORKLIFT@gmail.COM
if theres that much water in the tank on the truck you may want to check the fill station. If there is water in THAT tank it can transfrer to the lift's tank when filling.
If you use a LP service then i would definitely check the rest of the tanks in the rack for water and notify the company that provides the service of the problem.

just a thought
  • Posted 7 Sep 2012 06:54
  • Modified 7 Sep 2012 06:55 by poster
  • By Jplayer
  • joined 12 Apr'07 - 407 messages
  • North Carolina, United States
John Player Jr
_________________
LiftOne, LLC
Charlotte, NC
Email: jplayer@liftone.net
Could be Marc, good point. When a SCUBA tank is tested (hydrostaticly), its pumped up w/ 2 or 3x the amount that the tank can hold pressure wise, using water. This is to check for an amount of expansion, and drilled if it fails. I'm sure DOT requirements use basically the same proceedure. And the a$$hole$ capped it and forgot to drain it.

Thats incredibly funny laugh my a$$ off
  • Posted 7 Sep 2012 04:42
  • By 7777
  • joined 8 Mar'11 - 649 messages
  • New York, United States
thanks for the assistance. JCFORKLIFT@gmail.COM
This was way beyond condensation. I'm talking 1/2 gallon. How about when they test the tanks? Don't they use water? Maybe it was never drained after testing?
  • Posted 7 Sep 2012 04:04
  • By mrfixit
  • joined 11 Dec'08 - 1,434 messages
  • New York, United States
Experienced it once in a low pressure fuel line to the carb. on a zenith system. The water some how condensed in the line blocking fuel to the carb.
  • Posted 7 Sep 2012 02:31
  • By 7777
  • joined 8 Mar'11 - 649 messages
  • New York, United States
thanks for the assistance. JCFORKLIFT@gmail.COM
I have primarily seen this in steel tanks, they will build condensation in some environments. Havent seen it much if at all in aluminum tanks.
  • Posted 6 Sep 2012 15:18
  • By bigGlittlestar
  • joined 12 Aug'08 - 139 messages
  • United States
Yes mrfixit- I've seen what you describe. I've also seen what appears to be almost 100% oderant (brown liquid tar). I've gotten burnt by the tar often enough that I won't guarentee any propane service without a written certificate by the propane supplier that their product is HD-5.
  • Posted 6 Sep 2012 00:08
  • By bbforks
  • joined 1 Mar'12 - 1,437 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
bbforks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
Customers love technology- until they have to pay to fix it!

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