I've got gas problems!

[oldbird]

Bought a new lp tank and took it to be filled, handed it off to a young lady and did the rest of my shopping. I don't believe she purged the new tank before filling it. Managed to fill the rear end of my suburban with propane gas. Drove home with the windows open and can occasionally releasing gas from the overflow. Anybody else ever experience this?

[minnbowhunter]

bring it back. all new tanks need to be purged the first time it's filled.

PURGING OF AIR FROM LP-GAS CONTAINERS

Air in LP-gas containers is a contaminant. Purging is done prior to initial filling to remove the air. If the container is not properly purged, air in the container dilutes the LP-gas vapor. Failure to purge may cause excessive tank pressure, slow filling and poor appliance operation of Automatic Stop Fill valve. Appliances then require constant adjustment and pilot lights won't stay lit. This condition would exist until all air is depleted, leaving pure LP-gas vapor.

[BobT]

If it wasn't properly purged, couldn't it be dangerous to light it? There could be oxygen inside right, or do they fill them with inert gas after manufacturing?

Bob

[hanson]

If you can find a propane filler that knows what they are doing, they can probably "fix" your problem although I'm not 100% positive.

New tanks need to be purged. You need to let your propane retailer know that you have a new tank and they should do it for you, just takes a couple minutes. Your tank will not work right now that it has been filled.

edit: BobT- I had a new tank many years ago that was filled but not purged and the only problem that resulted was none of my propane appliances worked. They would light but go out immediately. Not sure if this is the case with all of them but thats what mine did to me.

[fishermn]

I've had the same problem myself, few gas appliances will work with a mixture like that. The biggest danger was probably what you experienced. Overpressure.