Small dealer I do work for called. Just picked up 2015 fiver at repo and can't get propane through the lines. Has two full tanks and regulator only shows red. Get to lot, verify problem. He is right, nothing but red. Not likely to be a bad regulator, too new and that is not the way they normally fail.So, take my little test tank off the truck, hook it up, the regulator immediately goes to green. Now I know its not the regulator.

So I have two recently filled tanks, neither of which will vent gas. Humm. The tanks have internal shut-off valves that work on a float and sometimes the float will stick. Here is the fix. Take the tank and slam it down really hard on the ground, bottom side down and the float will usually break free, which it did in this case.

In the event you take a tank in to fill and the tech can not get it to take propane, or you get it back and can't get propane out of it, setting it down really hard is usually the fix. Happens more often than you might think.

Steve

 

I had this happen to me when having a tank filled by a local propane place. They jammed the internal valve closed by trying to push propane into it too quickly. I ended having to take it to the gas company where they also fill propane and the guy there knew what it was right away.

 

I was tossing it out there as it does happen sometimes and if you are not familiar with it, it can be puzzling and waste some time getting it taken care of. I think some of the fill centers also try to overfill the tank and that can cause it.

Steve

 

The guy that jammed up mine wanted to sell me another tank for $80 or something silly, I haven't been back to them for propane...

 

When my 07 Jazz was new they had to replace both tanks. They would flow enough for the stove and fridge but not enough for the 5.5 Onan that I installed.

 

It is not unusual a standard tank could not keep up with a genset. On motor homes you actually tap the liquid with a separate valve to keep up with the demand. It was kind of a common problem, though relatively small numbers of folks run propane gensets. There are now different varieties of regulators capable of flowing much larger amounts of gas, which is a consideration that was not necessary in the past.

Steve

 

Once they changed the tanks all was and is still well. Installed the propane genset so that I didn't have to carry two different fuels.

 

Thanks for the tip.

 

Thanks for the tip, never heard of the issue.

 

It is not common and I have seen it only a few times. The fix was taught to me by the person filling my tanks at a gas supplier. If you are not familiar with it and it happens to you, it can lead to a lot of head scratching and possibly replacing unnecessary parts.

Steve

 

Steve, is this the OPD valve that has stuck?

 

If I ever need to do this, I will have to do it when the wife is away and out of ear shot or she might call the police thinking I have gone crazy. I can see it now...

The valve is stuck dear, I need to slam it on the ground...

I'm serious, Steve from the Ford forum said it was OK...

Then as I raise the tank full of explosive gas and slam it to the ground she freaks out thinking I am about to blow up the Earth...

Good times

 

Yes, it is the OPD valve and by slam, I mean hit it down solidly on the ring guard on the bottom of the tank. Maybe I need to take a picture for the more violently inclined.

Steve

 

 

Priceless!!