Propane line block

[Tyhee]

Hi,
I have never seen this before. It looks like a chunk of fine sand or clay in the propane line at the tank connection. This would be on my 1984 Bigfoot with dual tanks. It looks like both tanks feed the regulator ( no switch between tanks that I can find).

I am working my way slowly through this new to us f/g and this is part of the process...closely examining all gas connections, appliances etc. I will pipe goop all joints, check w soapy water etc if I start replacing things but for now just wondering if this blockage in my line looks like this...the other tank connection looks normal.





For now

[Tyhee]

Dual lines and regulator.
Ps I know folks are leery to provide gas advice and I respect that. I'm going to the appliance shop when they are open, just have a few minutes and pretty curious.

[redbarron55]

It looks like the line was disconnected a dirt daubers have been at work here.

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[steve dunham]

Gas fittings are a flare fitting . You are not supposed to use pipe dope or goop on a flared fitting .The seal is designed to be metal to metal.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by redbarron55

It looks like the line was disconnected a dirt daubers have been at work here.

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The color looks correct for mud daubers. If you stick a small pointed metal object in it (e.g., Phillips screwdriver) and twist, and the material is crumbly and gritty, that is likely what it is. Keep the fitting facing down when you do so to keep any loosened material from moving further into the tube. Better yet, remove it all together to try cleaning it.


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[Darwin Maring]

The Barron is right on. Never leave a connection off and unprotected.

[redbarron55]

The best thing is to remove the line, clean it and blow it out with compressed air.
Washing it with soapy water might help too.
Try to keep the dirt out of the propane system will save time later.


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[SteveSmith]

Agree with all the good advice above. To include that it was probably dirt daubers.

[steve dunham]

When we disconnect our propane tank lines , I take a plastic bag and place it over the exposed end of the hose and tyrap the bag to the hose . I sometimes use one of our trailer's propane tanks on our gas grill both at home and on the road leaving the hose end exposed . The bag keeps bugs ,dirt and rain from getting in the hose. Maybe overkill but it works for me. Bugs and dirt can plug up burner orifices and cause problems . The bag is a simple and cheap solution IMHO

[Darwin Maring]

Burner offices are measured in microns so even a hair on your head would plug one up and that would be most difficult to troubleshoot.

Personally, if it were mine and it was a short hose, I would just replace it or put a propane filter at the distant end after I cleaned the hose. You can get a propane filter at Tractor Supply or Northern Tools, it is made and sold under the Buddy Heater brand.

[Daniel A.]

For the little those cost I'd just change the regulator & lines and be done with it.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Propane is not something for a non-certified person to be messing with unless you like loud noises and watching your trailer go boom.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Propane is not something for a non-certified person to be messing with unless you like loud noises and watching your trailer go boom.

And every time you change out your tank you should ONLY have it done by a certified technician who will also do a full inspection, checking for obstructions and making sure it does not leak.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by gordon2

And every time you change out your tank you should ONLY have it done by a certified technician who will also do a full inspection, checking for obstructions and making sure it does not leak.

That's called "taking things to extreme". But you can do that if you like.

[Joe Romas]

First I need to ask do your gas appliances work?

If so what your seeing looks to me like a filter intentionally installed in there.

I was going to look at an old style fitting like that I had but must have pitched it.
Doing a search this is the closest I could find.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...act=mrc&uact=8

[Jon in AZ]

The question was posted back in March. According to the second post, he was going to take it to a tech, so you can sleep well, Byron.

[Joe Romas]

But BK's post was on 11/11/16

It would be nice when a person asks a question if they would report back with the final solution

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Propane is not something for a non-certified person to be messing with unless you like loud noises and watching your trailer go boom.

Or you could take the time to educate yourself with the knowledge required from a certified professional on how to hook up propane lines and how to flare the ends of the metal lines and how to clean and adjust an orifice. This is entirely possible to do and it is good to put your brain in gear and use it to gain new technical knowledge and skills.

There are many certified professionals in the RV industry who have posted youtube videos showing exactly, step by step, how to do these task and how to test the joins as well.