Gas Smell

 by Tugg Today at 7:37 pm


Hi  I think I might have a gas leak from my Thetford Caprice Mk 3 Cooker.  As you enter motorhome I am getting quite strong smell of gas which seems to be near   the cooker area  I have isolated the  cooker and the fridge  with the isolator switches but still smell gas , although it might be just lingering before isolating . Has anybody had a problem with gas leaks on their Cotswold ?

Please don't start identical threads in two forums. It always leads to confusion, and in this case might even lead to you missing important advice.

Mine would be (advice that is) to get a qualified gas fitter to check your van - as a matter of urgency. Gas doesn't take prisoners, and it's just not worth taking any chances.

Best to turn the gas off at the bottle.then get an expert to check.


Micky

Indeed - get a professional in.

I had a similar experience and it was the fibre washers in the isolator taps that were all past their best.  I recall that it was about £50 to get a registered gas fitter to take a look, check everything and renew the washers (also put on a new hose from the regulator for good measure).

A lot cheaper than a new motorhome!

Hi
   I agree a gas fitter is the best option and he can do a pressure test, but you can use soapy water around the joints if you feel competent  
regards
Alan

Can you also smell gas outside? A connection on our LPG tank needed tightening, carried out under warranty by AS Service Centre. The smell also drifted into the van, initially making it difficult to trace.

Pete

hi i also thought gas would go down,BUT when i smelt gas in the van,i got it checked  and it was the gas bottle connection not tightened enough.I have a strong spanner for that job now.

Micky

Hi

In my 35 years of caravanning and motorhomes I have always smelt gas in the gas lockers. It like the bottles have to vent off some how.?

Stewart John wrote:Hi

In my 35 years of caravanning and motorhomes I have always smelt gas in the gas lockers. It like the bottles have to vent off some how.?

There should be a gas drop out hole under every joint in the gas pipe and the hole under the bottle should be quite large. Not so large to allow animal life to enter though.

Stewart John wrote:I have always smelt gas in the gas lockers. It like the bottles have to vent off some how.?

No - it means there is a leak!

Obviously it depends on your setup, but the metal POL type connectors used for propane are very susceptible to leaking if the "nose" of the connector has even the slightest deformation. I've always changed mine for the type with a rubber nose section which are much better - though if you do that you have to take care not to over-tighten the joint.

Do not use washing up liquid for leaks ,it contains salt  if you do clean with water

:shrugg:I seem to be attracted to other people troubles. Before we went away on our latest trip I replaced a gas bottle and in conversation with my supplier he asked how old our bottle to regulator pipe was. As it was on the van when we bought it I agreed to change it. On his advise I bought one that required a spanner not the type with a plastic knob . He said they seal better not having a rubber seal that can perish. 
The first weekend at an air show and proms concert my wife thought she smelt gas. I couldnt find the leak so we left it until we moved to Cheltenham.
After a couple of days the smell was getting really bad. After a lot of checking with soapy water around the new bottle and pipe I found a leak at the crimped metal fitting on the new pipe at the bottle end. Asking the site owners for directions I bought a new pipe from a local caravan dealer. 
I have gone back to the none spanner type pipe. No leaks now but it cost me a full bottle of gas over four days. This proves how much can leak out from a small leak and any smells shouldnt be ignored. 
My local gas supplier has refunded me for the faulty pipe and sold me a new bottle at half price. Maybe a free bottle would have been nice but his bottles are cheaper than most so it is a start.

The OP is obviously not very concerned as he hasn't been back to check on the advice offered.

Hope he hasn't gone on holiday with a gas leak!!!!

Thanks everybody for comments  I have had the Gas system checked and everything was ok