"disposable" propane tanks

[heehaw]

\"disposable\" propane tanks

for the first time, the "disposable" propane tanks, i have had for years, started leaking. i blame it on reading the thread here last month or so, about refilling the tanks and the valves starting to leak! the valve looks just like a tire valve, but deeper, so i am going to try to get a valve tool that will reach and see if the valves can be tightened, or replaced?
heehaw

 

[beenthere]

Re: \"disposable\" propane tanks

No one has replied, but then you didn't ask a question either. I don't understand just what you mean by 'disposable' propane tank, nor what you expect to do with a 'leak' in a valve. Did you try refilling the tank, and then it started leaking?
My experience with propane tanks is there remains some pressure and gas in the tank, so fiddling with the 'valve' stem may be a bit risky. As long as you know what youre doing, far be it from me to give you any pointers. I'd sure suggest being real careful. Don't want to lose 'heehaw' /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[tawilson]

Re: \"disposable\" propane tanks

I don't understand how reading the thread made the tanks start leaking. And, when you get the tool, why don't you practice on an empty tank?

 

[heehaw]

Re: \"disposable\" propane tanks

that was meant as a joke...i've had these same tanks for about 15+ years, and they have never leaked: a month or so ago, i read the thread about refilling with an adapter: which i have done for these 15+ years, and someone commented that they "could" start leaking: well, the very next time i refilled the tanks "after" reading that thread, (this week), they did exactly that, started leaking.
disposable tanks are what the propane co calls them, no one will refill these tanks, as far as i have been able to find anyway. the refill port looks exactly like a tire valve, and i have had tires start leaking at the valve before, unscrewed the valve, put in a new one and solved the problem, so i figure it should be able to be done with these tanks too??
heehaw

 

[HomeBrew2]

Re: \"disposable\" propane tanks

I enjoyed your humor! I've been refilling for about as long and have had some leak and still have some antique ones. I've never tried to replace the schrader valve but have had limited success pulling on the stem a few times to try to get the seal to seat better.
Cheers!

 

[heehaw]

Re: \"disposable\" propane tanks

had no luck trying to make the valve reseat, plus one tank started leaking at both the little valve you pull on to refill and the main valve: i could solve the main valve leak by putting the nozzle on and turning it off, but couldn't do anything about the small valve.
heehaw

 

[stevenf]

Re: \"disposable\" propane tanks

Heehaw, I absolutely agree that you can probably replace those little valves but if you fail Walmart has the canisters on clearance around here about now for around $1.00 to $1.50 ea so if the valves cost very much you might just heave your 15yr old ones and start with a new batch. I'm thinking the manufacturers of those cylinders probably figured 99% of them would end in the trash after one use so I'd expect the valves weren't the heaviest duty to start with.
Steve

 

[tawilson]

Re: \"disposable\" propane tanks

My response to your joke was meant as a joke too. My humor sometimes is so subtle, it ceases to exist. This is why I started a thread a while back wondering where to get the refillable one pound cylinders. If they exist, I believe they would have a relief valve like the bigger tanks do, that you open to fill and close when the liquid comes out. If would be interesting to pull the valve out to see why the valve didn't seat. I think crud from the bottom of the larger cylinder gets into the smaller tank. From now on I will lay the 20 lb. cylinder on its side instead of upside down. As long as it is full enough it should do the same thing.

 

[heehaw]

Re: \"disposable\" propane tanks

good point, i had my 20lb bottle upside down, that could be causing the problem. when these leak out, i plan on shootin a hole in-em: from a little distance, then seeing what those valves are like..
i will check and see what new tanks cost around here.
heehaw

 

[heehaw]

Re: \"disposable\" propane tanks

the short coleman propane tanks where about $2.20; and the tall tanks in hardware where about $2.70: i think the tall tanks are 16oz; and the coleman are 20oz. i picked up a coleman tank, looks like my other ones are going to leak completely down..
heehaw