Propane Question

[retiredfire]

I recently inherited my dad in laws 4020 propane, and put propane in it a few months ago and went out last week and the tank is empty. Someone told me that instead of wasting propane to check for a leak that I could just put air into the tank and then use soapy water to find it. I hadn't thought of this but seems like it should work.
Any ideas?

 

[Tom in Mo.]

Yep. That works. I just did that with one of my house tanks that leaked at the gauge seal.

 

[joeysmith]

Not a great idea but works
Be sure an purge the tank before filling with propane

 

[da.bees]

A leak bad enough to waste more than 1 gallon while testing can be heard from 20 feet away. How much did you put inj it "a few months ago"?
Did you make sure both vapor and liquid valves were closed. It's a hard and fast rule to turn off at tank after every use. Ideally non will leak while not in use but fact is that unless off at tank 75% do to some extent. Considering the fact moisture is injected along with air then must be dealt with before filling with propane I'd just put a gallon or two of propane in tank and do the test with soap and water.

If you are new to operating on propane fuel here's a couple tips. Always start on vapor and "bump" the choke while cranking over. In above freezing weather you can run on vapor an hour or two. In cold weather start and run on vapor for 30 mi9nutes to an hour then go to liquid remainder of day.

 

[2520-4010]

Just a suggestion.....get a spray bottle of soap and water and spray around the valves of the tank.
btdt.
hths.

 

[Tom in Mo.]

I use the grandkids bubble soap and don't forget around the gauge.

 

[504]

Not a great idea but works
Be sure an purge the tank before filling with propane

Air will bleed off when you open squeerter valve when you fill it

 

[joeysmith]

Air will bleed off when you open squeerter valve when you fill it

But moisture won't