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11-27-2022, 10:40 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Colfax
Posts: 19
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Propane Smell
The last two times setting up our Cougar at a camp site I have experinced the odor of propane. The odor is present for some ten minutes then it goes away. "Just the facts ma'am" (1) main tank is 1/2 full, 2nd is full (2) No sign of pressure escaping at the tank or regulator. (2) happened with weather both cool & warm. (3) Gas leak probe shows no leakage. (4) the smell is at the primary tank/reg. (4) all fittings are secure. Any guesses.
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11-27-2022, 11:10 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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Gas leak probe?
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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11-28-2022, 05:50 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 335
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Check your regulator to tank hoses for a small crack that could be leaking gas. There are also a number of regulators on a recall list. Might check yours to be safe.
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Steve & Patti
2018 Grand Design Reflection 315 RLTS
2019 Chevy 2500 HD Diesel Z71
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11-28-2022, 07:06 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
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You don't list year and model number of Cougar which might help. One thought, some folks can mistake the suffer smell of a boiling battery for propane. How old is the battery?
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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11-28-2022, 08:05 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Panama City Beach
Posts: 101
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Gas leak probe?
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https://www.amazon.com/Detector-Natu...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
__________________
2020 Cougar 27SGS;
2019 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 6.4L 4x4 Bighorn;
Demco 18k Autoslide; 2 Honda EU2000i's;
Our Website
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11-28-2022, 08:21 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Arundel
Posts: 288
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy
You don't list year and model number of Cougar which might help. One thought, some folks can mistake the suffer smell of a boiling battery for propane. How old is the battery?
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Happened to me with a prior 5er. Battery had gone dry and was outgassing. Would have sworn it was propane.
__________________
Jim
2018 Cougar 32RLI
Hercules H-901 tires
CRE3000 w/wet bolts
2021 F-350 4x4 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab
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11-28-2022, 08:25 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,671
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I would suspect the regulator. As new as your trailer is (shows 2019) I would doubt the pigtails have deteriorated although they could have been damaged.
I have had to replace 2 regulators due to leaking vents. The first I didn't know what it was other than I smelled LP similar to your situation. Took it to the dealer (warranty) and they replaced it....smell gone. This one started doing the same thing right after the warranty expired. Removed the OE regulator (Fairview) and installed a Marshall Excelsior - problem solved. The high pressure regulator was also making an irritating "noise" when LP was being used from that side so replaced it as well; 2 years since and all is well.
A thought on the situation of you smelling it for approx. 10 minutes after setting up; When you are setting up are you opening the LP tanks, smelling the LP for several minutes then it goes away as you describe? If so that sure sounds like the vent unless you have something causing the system to overpressure and force the vent to open.
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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11-28-2022, 09:36 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,141
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Any chance you have a dead critter somewhere close? I thought I had a gas leak but found a victim of my anti-rodent campaign under one of the propane tanks. Just a thought……
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Rob & Amy
2019 Passport 240BH SL (current)
2024 Cougar 29BHL (on order, due early May)
2022 Ford F250 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab FX4
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11-28-2022, 11:13 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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While you're troubleshooting you may need to check the CO/LP detector, if the LP smell, if it is in fact LP, is strong enough you can smell it the detector should be chirping non stop.
As mentioned it could be the batteries or travel is causing the P traps to drain & letting tank odors in, both have a similar odor to LP.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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11-28-2022, 11:40 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Colfax
Posts: 19
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Yes, you can pick up a Gas Leak probe or sensor from Home depot etc. It can sense natrual gas as well as propane.
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11-28-2022, 11:44 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Colfax
Posts: 19
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Cougar 1/2 ton fifth wheel, 2019. Dual Interstate Batteries new before our last trip in early October. I have roasted a battery & it's not that. This is definitely propane.
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11-28-2022, 11:59 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Colfax
Posts: 19
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When you mentioned the high pitch noise, yes I have that as well. Its got to be the regulator. I'm wondering if the regulator diaphram is the culprit. After we purchased the rig we got a call asking us to check the regulator(s) numbers as there was a recall. Our regulators #s didn't come close, but that only counts with horse shoes & hand grenades. Marshall Excelsior sounds like the direction.
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11-28-2022, 12:17 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cousin Gary
Yes, you can pick up a Gas Leak probe or sensor from Home depot etc. It can sense natrual gas as well as propane.
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I was just wondering. I have one I bought on Amazon, and it’s my secondary tester after leak test solution, or soapy water.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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11-29-2022, 04:07 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Suwanee
Posts: 414
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
I was just wondering. I have one I bought on Amazon, and it’s my secondary tester after leak test solution, or soapy water.
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I like the spray bottle with soapy water method...no batteries required
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12-04-2022, 10:11 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Isanti
Posts: 3
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I thought I had a gas leak also, but couldn't find it.
We bleached our gray tanks, and the smell went away
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12-04-2022, 11:08 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: AKRON OH
Posts: 144
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Sometimes when a regulator leaks, you won't be able to see any signs. Specifically using a leak test. Especially if it's a strong leak. I had this happen with both the main regulator, and the line regulator on the driver side of the camper. But I certainly could smell it. Our RV is an 07, and I replaced the main regulator 3 years ago, and the line regulator 3 months ago. I spent maybe a total of $80 for both. Easy fix.
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