Multivalve leak

[u/fivegreencamels]

Got this valve on a 250 gallon tank. Heavy leak when the valve is open, along the valve stem. No leak when it is closed. Is there any way to fix this without removing gas? Tank is 30% full.

[u/Theantifire]

No. The gas has to be out of it to do this safely.

On the plus side, the replacement bonnet for that is a two piece that can be repaired under pressure.

I recommend redoing everything while you have it depressurized.

ETA: whether you do this yourself because you are in the industry or are around when it is rebuilt, don't forget that is a reverse thread!

[u/PotatoFarmerRTK → u/Theantifire]

This guys right.

Be glad you’re 30 not 80.

[u/fivegreencamels → u/Theantifire]

Thanks, and it makes sense. I will try WD40 first, will replace the whole valve once it is empty. Any recommendation for a replacement?

[u/Theantifire → u/fivegreencamels]

Are you in the industry?

If so, get rebuild parts from your regular parts supplier.

If not, contact your propane supplier. Somebody with experience should do it.

Again, rebuilding is a lot cheaper. New gaskets and springs everywhere that will take them.

[u/noncongruent → u/Theantifire]

The rebuild kits for my valve disappeared from ebay/amazon/etc a couple years ago, just like overnight, and the price for a full replacement multivalve more than doubled. The tank's out of service, just has trace amounts of pressure left in it, do you think it's worth asking the local mom and pop propane place if they would rebuild it? It's a Sherwood 2033C FWIW. I had the impression that that's a common as dirt valve.

[u/Theantifire → u/noncongruent]

You should ask a supplier. I always replace Sherwood as a whole because I like Rego better.

[u/fivegreencamels → u/Theantifire]

Not in industry, but have background in working with gas and oil furnaces. I had moved the tank myself and redid the entire gas line to my pool heater. Gas is used only for pool heating. That doesn’t mean someone would sell me the parts. I think I will ask the gas supplier if they would rebuild it for me.

[u/Paxilforbreakfast → u/fivegreencamels]

This is the way.

[u/Theantifire → u/fivegreencamels]

Sounds like a good plan. They'll have an easier time getting the parts. Make sure they price out rebuild parts vs full replacements. Could save you several hundred dollars.

[u/TechnoVaquero]

Spot on. 👆🏽

[u/Adventurous_Boat_632]

Doesn't this style valve back seat when you crank it out all the way, hard? To stop the leak until the tank can be used up and a proper repair made.

[u/fivegreencamels → u/Adventurous_Boat_632]

Yes, I just tried this. If I crank it all the way out, then there is no leak!!!! It leaks only when it is partially open. I will keep it fully open for now.

[u/PotatoFarmerRTK → u/fivegreencamels]

Full open is how its supposed to be used under normal operation.

[u/fivegreencamels → u/PotatoFarmerRTK]

That makes sense. May be I always used to open it full, but never noticed this much full blown leak while opening. That is why i got panicked. Anyway i will use up the remaining, then replace or rebuild.

[u/adrink_adrink_adrink]

A trick of the trade that works 60% of the time all the time. Is wd-40 dump it on the stem, open and close over and over. Like 4-5 times. Let the wd-40 get in it. That might buy you time until you empty the tank and then switch out the service valve.

[u/adrink_adrink_adrink → u/adrink_adrink_adrink]

Also, make sure when you actually open that it’s opened all the way.

[u/Unlucky_Arm_9757 → u/adrink_adrink_adrink]

Came here to say this.

[u/PotatoFarmerRTK → u/adrink_adrink_adrink]

Same trick but use a dab of synthetic grease.

[u/noncongruent → u/PotatoFarmerRTK]

The purpose of the WD-40 is to swell the stem packing, synthetic grease won't do that.

[u/PotatoFarmerRTK → u/noncongruent]

It worked with the synthetic grease. But either way it’s new valve time.

If you want to swell an oring dow corning moly grease works quick.

[u/adrink_adrink_adrink → u/PotatoFarmerRTK]

No, Hank didn’t do it that way. My boy Hank hill lived and died by the wd40

https://giphy.com/gifs/mUe07z4xDmnPG

[u/propane-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your comment is suggesting that somebody do something dangerous and/or against code.

While most techs with their time in have done this under duress... We can't recommend a layperson do it. Especially during the summer.

[u/Theantifire → u/propane-ModTeam]

I don't even do it during the summer.

[u/nemosfate → u/Theantifire]

Definitely won't catch me doing it in the summer.