propane tank problem

swafford · May 16, 2012

i have a tank that will run about 30mins then acts like its empty.but when i take it off it still fills like its full.put another tank on and it will fire right up..will that be a bad valve.need help thanks

kennyWayne · May 16, 2012

i had one that would do the same thing the valve was leaking causing it to freeze up,dont know for sure thats ur problem ,those valves arent very expencive wouldnt hurt to try a new one.

Rockwells607 · May 16, 2012

Do you have the tank laying down with the valve aimed toward the ground? I ask because I aimed one up one time and the pickup tube was out of the pane and it did the same thing ...the tube looks like an L inside the tank I believe

swafford · May 16, 2012

yea its laying down.and iv aimed it up.down .and straight out....lol iv heard a few guys talking about tanks doing this but i didnt see how they fixed them.iv spent about 18hrs polishing this tank to.lol

Rockwells607 · May 16, 2012

I think you can get new valves and pic ups so its not a total loss, I got a lot of polished almn. On my buggy to and thought about doing a tank....but decided against it after luggin em around on the trailer and getting them filled...I see why they have so many scratches and dents in them

Pumpkin · May 16, 2012

I had one that was doing that. Drained it and took the valve out. There is a plastic orifice that had something stopping it up. Cleaned it and put the valve back in it. No problems since. But my propane places gets about 28$ for a new valve.

TBItoy · May 16, 2012

Do you have the tank laying with the hook up facing down? There is a "locating hole" that is supposed to be facing down, so the dip tube is in the fuel more.

Eddyj · May 16, 2012

I'm new to the BBQ gas powered buggies. Just for clarification what is the best angle to run your tanks?

Rockwells607 · May 17, 2012

Either straight up or laying down with the hole on the tank down so the dip tube is on the bottom, that little whole is there for a locating pin on most fork lifts and tow motors

tommyswheelin · May 17, 2012

I got some that do that... We had opened the valve and let it all bleed out before and fixed the problem.... I think it how people fill them. The way we do it at work is fill till it blows out the valve,but where I get mine filled at they weigh them and fill till the 33lbs is in them. I think they get air locks but could but totally wrong... Worth a shot.. Worked 2 times I've tried it

big ford · May 17, 2012

I bleed all of mine in order to fill them so I get a full tank, I think the sun will make them build pressure so when the person filling the tank hears something he stops filling and you get half a bottle

Pumpkin · May 17, 2012

The place that fills mine, pumps in 8 gallons. If it don't want to take it, he opens the valve to bleed off vapor till he gets in 8Gal or liquid comes out.

altfuel1991 · May 18, 2012

It does sound like your tank may have an internal problem if it is clocked correctly. I am assuming you are not hearing anything rattling around inside.
Or the pickup tube could be cracked and only pulling fuel from the top and not drawing from the bottom.
Also is this the only tank you have doing this? That would rule out the tank if others are doing that also.
We seldom see problems inside tanks but it is possible.

Buddy Gamel
Precision Sales & Service, Inc.
451 64th Place South
Birmingham, Ala. 35212

877-403-7827
205-591-2267, fax

[email protected]
[email protected]
www.alternatefuel.com
www.workhorseservice.com

yankster · May 18, 2012

Maybe this helps. Everyone probably already knows...

swafford · May 18, 2012

the dip tube is cracked or has a hole in it.took it to a propane store they checked it out and thats what they told me.so i bought a new one..lol thanks everybody for the info and help..