LP tanks slow leak - puzzler

**norty1** · 10-24-2018, 05:23 PM

We just returned home from a 3 week trip and we ran the furnace a moderate amount. I had to refill my tanks as the propane usage was more than I was used to.

Today I did a soap test on all connections and found that both my tank connector pigtails were leaking just a drop on both sides and it was coming from the Acme nut on the pigtail. Close inspection shows I can't see any way to tighten the connection.

I put the regulator from my grill on one of the tanks and darn if it didn't have a slow bubble of gas seeping out but I removed the fitting from the nut and re-installed it with some yellow tape and all is fine.

The acme nuts on the pigtails do not have any way to tighten them. Am I going to have to replace both pigtails to stop the leak?

wabirch · 10-24-2018, 05:55 PM

A lot of miles on them from your travels, seems like it is time.

Sean1980 · 10-28-2018, 04:37 PM

I’ve had 2 different campers and after the 4th or 5th trip on both the pigtails had to be replaced. The cheapest place I found them was on Amazon but make sure you order the adapter nipple.

**norty1** · 10-28-2018, 06:05 PM

It seems to be the gasket in several of my tanks that is bad.

Seann45 · 11-01-2018, 03:27 PM

I had to replace both my pigtails 2 years ago.

oldmanAZ · 11-01-2018, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

I had to replace both my pigtails 2 years ago.

Both my pigtails were replaced under warranty about a year ago. The gaskets on the hoses at the rear of the ACME nut (the big plastic nut that connects to the propane tank) were leaking; one gasket had a small leak and the other failed COMPLETELY when I was changing tanks.

**norty1** · 11-01-2018, 05:06 PM

I am still beating my head on this annoying leak.

We are headed out for a week, next week and I am going to get 2 new pigtails installed before then. I am striking out on replacing the O ring seal on a couple of my tanks so far but I have a half dozen or so in the mix.

Duke4857 · 11-01-2018, 06:59 PM

Those pigtails should be outlawed in my opinion. They fail quite often.

RogerR · 11-01-2018, 07:06 PM

Did you crawl under and check if there were any joints that leak? Could also be that one of the lines has frame rubbed a tiny hole or has a crack in a poorly done bend.

Basically there may be more than one leak causing the excessive usage.

Good luck and stay safe.

**norty1** · 11-01-2018, 07:26 PM

I bought a cap for the pigtail and connected it to the tank. A soap test shows a slow bubble leak behind the acme nut and it's a crimp connection and you can't access it because the crimp is in the connection.

That is to not clear but I can't see inside the nut.

No way fix if the connection to the tank is leaking.

When I say excessive, it is just noticeable from what I am used to. I have soaped all the joints but the test I explained above eliminates all but the acme nut connection.

jloco · 11-02-2018, 08:45 AM

I had a leak last year that you could smell.. I tried the soapy water test, but still couldn't locate the leak. Dealer sent me a new regulator and 2 pigtails under warranty. I replaced all of it which fixed the leak. Shorty after, I bought another regulator and set of pigtails that I keep in the rig in my spare parts box.

**norty1** · 11-05-2018, 08:08 AM

I am back to cooking on gas. Yesterday I found time to get 2 replacement pigtails from CW and installed them today. Soap test indicates no leaks.

Also found that when installing the Acme nut to the tank, you have make sure it’s lined up properly to get a hand tight seal.

Packing for a 5 day trip on Thursday.

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