I smell gas (propane)

Chris Jones · Mar 29, 2015

I'm giving up a rented propane tank and just today about 2:00pm I managed to use the last of the gas in the tank via my gas fireplace--it died down and went out. I turned the fireplace off with it's controls under the burner. I then turned off the 1/4 turn shutoff valve beside the fireplace. The problem is I've been smelling gas on and off ever since then. It comes in spells from almost nothing to downright sickening. Why? Any ideas?

David G · Mar 29, 2015

Get it called in pronto.

JD Seller · Mar 29, 2015

The smell in propane is added to it. It is a liquid and it settle out into the bottom of the propane tank. Over time you get more of it than is needed in the tank. So when you ran it dry you more than likely had a bunch of it come into the house.

Now to be sure I would soap/water test the shut off valves. See if they maybe leaking around the stems. If they have not been used much then they could be leaking. Even if the pilot light will not light there is still low pressure in the line. If the valve is leaking you could still be getting enough to smell and explode even though your pilot light/stove will not lite. So do a leak check and shut the value off at the tank. Even better is to remove and cap the line at the tank. This way you know 100% that it is not leaking.

37chief · Mar 29, 2015

I would turn off the main valve at the tank. Stan

David G · Mar 29, 2015

Agreed

D beatty · Mar 29, 2015

Do the soap thing like JD said . If one of them is leaking turn it off and on several times and check it again. Opening and closing some times makes them seat. If that doesn't work shut off at tank and get somebody to service it if you haven't ever worked on LP.

Chris Jones · Mar 29, 2015

Thanks for the replies. I decided to remove the line and regulator from the tank. Line going in the house is open now. The regulator is in my shop on the bench and the tank valve is shut off and plugged. The fitting on the tank shutoff was reverse threaded--I wasn't expecting that. After wondering what gorilla had tightened it I decided to try turning it clockwise and it came right off.

After everything was disconnected I cracked the valve on the tank and got about 1 second of hiss and that was it. Didn't even smell it outside.

Curious, if I'm renting the tank am I renting the regulator too? Or, did I buy the regulator when they installed everything? I figure I'll make them ask for it if they want it when they come for the tank vs them taking it off because it's there. I'm hoping it can be used on my next thank. I'm returning a 100 gallon tank and will be buying a 100 lb. tank.

D beatty · Mar 29, 2015

That line on house should tape the opening so nothing gets in it. The regulator will depend on what kind of agreement you signed with the provider.

Chris Jones · Mar 29, 2015

I want the line to vent tonight--I'll tape over it sometime tomorrow. I have no idea what agreement I signed--just curious what's common. I'll find out when they come get the tank.

JD Seller · Mar 29, 2015

Tanks with flammables are usually left handed threads: Propane, acetylene, etc.

Chris Jones · Mar 29, 2015

And I still smell gas! That last bit that came through the fireplace must have had a lot of stink juice in it and gotten saturated in the burner or something. Well maybe in the other end of the house it will not smell as bad--time to go to bed.

Chris Jones · Mar 29, 2015

New one on me. Thanks.

JD Seller · Mar 29, 2015

Chris I had a propane tank at a grain bin filled and soon the burner would not light or run. I checked and it had black oily, stinky stuff coming out of the supply line. I called the propane supplier and they came out an drained the liquid off the bottom of the tank. It would not have been a few quarts if even that much. That area had the smell for several months out side in the weather and wind. So it does not take much to really smell in a confined area.

Bob · Mar 29, 2015

Yes, the "stink juice" from an emptying propane tank will linger.

You will be OK!

504 · Mar 29, 2015

Look at the flats on the left handed fitting, it will have two cuts on all of the six high spots = left hand threads.

Bob · Mar 29, 2015

Yep, if you've ever cleaned out a "drip leg" in the supply line to a propane appliance/furnace/boiler and got any of the oily stuff on your hands you will not forget it, for several days, at least!

37chief · Mar 30, 2015

So you removed the regulator, and still smell gas. Question: Did you have beans for supper tonight?

farmer near Lynnville · Mar 30, 2015

Ditto to your "smell" explanation. We have a gas stove and would sometimes get a very strong smell. Then go out to check tank and find it almost empty. When refilled, no smell.
The way it was explained to me - the "smell additive" is mixed with all propane. Over time it settles and a stronger concentration is at the bottom of the tank. Refill tank and now proper dilution is achieved. With normal everyday use of propane there should be no smell as the smell burns with the propane. But when using the concentrated propane from the near empty tank, the burning process cannot eliminate the extra smell.

1130Leo · Mar 30, 2015

Since you removed the line and regulator, the stink you are smelling now is from the open ended line. The Stink they put in the gas "pickles" the line over time, that stink will linger for a very long time. To eliminate it, you will need to put a plug or a new shut off valve on the end. Tape over the end may limit the smell, but will not eliminate it.

Billy Shafer · Mar 30, 2015

I have pulled propane powered generators out of service. Put them in storage. Six months later they still smell. The stinky stuff can take a long time to go away.

HenryO · Mar 30, 2015

generally the propane smell is added at the refinery sand it settle to the lower part of the tank.That is a good way to tell you the tank is getting low. When you empty a tank it can stink for a long time. You are getting the result of running the tank to the bottom. Disconnect the tank and blow out the line.

Greg1959 · Mar 30, 2015

That smelly stuff is called mercaptan. FWIW

I smell gas (propane)

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