Propane Leaking From Back of Valve (After Refill or When On)
If you hear a hiss, it is not going to be a snake getting ready to attack. It may be that your propane tank has sprung a leak somewhere and it is letting you know you have a problem. No matter the sound, make sure there is no snake before your propane tank’s problem.
Usually, the hiss you hear coming from the propane tank is the overflow valve letting off some pressure. This can happen when you filled the tank when it was cold outside and throughout the day, it warmed up. The hissing will stop if this is the problem and you can cook, etc., like normal.
To learn more about this issue, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can diagnose the correct problem and fix it quickly. Sometimes you just have to sit and wait till the pressure is relieved
Why is My Propane Tank Leaking From The Back Of The Valve?
There are different sources for this problem. The first one, as mentioned, is the simplest and easiest to fix. If the leak is at the pressure relief valve, then all you have to do is wait. Once the pressure is relieved, you can operate all your propane appliances normally again.
A second source would be bad equipment. If you are getting a low flame at your stove, it may be because of low gas pressure. Low gas pressure is the fault of bad equipment and this bad equipment may cause the leak you hear.
A third, source, will be a bad gas valve. This would need to be replaced if it is the source. Or you did not shut the valve off all the way. The slight opening will make the same hissing sound as another leak will so check to see if it can be tightened or not.
Will an Overfilled Propane Tank Leak?
Yes, it will. This situation usually happens when you have too much propane pressure in your tank. The overflow valve will be activated in this case, and you will hear a slow leak until the pressure has returned to normal.
But, this is not the only scenario that will have an over-pressurized propane tank leaking. Just because you overfilled the tank does not mean you have excluded all the other sources for a leak.
If you didn’t shut the valve off or it is bad, then it will still leak. If your hose has sprung a leak, then it will leak. If you have bad equipment, then the propane tank will leak, even with too much pressure inside.
The tank will leak when there is a problem that causes leaking. But the first place to check will be the pressure relief valve. That is the part that emits the gas when the tank is overfilled.
Propane Tank Leaking After Refill
Generally, there are only 3 reasons why you would encounter this problem. The first reason is as we have described, it is the pressure relief valve doing its job. This will happen often when it gets hot outside.
The hot air will help the gas to expand more causing a problem with the pressure inside. Once that happens, the pressure relief valve opens and relieves the tank of that excess pressure.
To help the valve do its job, you can put cold water on the tank to cool it down or just wait till the excess pressure is gone. The second reason would be a problem with the bleeder valve.
There may be debris inside keeping it open. Either clean out the valve or have it replaced. The final reason would be the valve stem has gone bad. In this case, you would need to replace it to stop the leaking.
Propane Tank Leaking When Opening The Valve
This is a common problem and can happen at any time. Usually, the bleeder valve may be stuck open or there is a malfunction in that device. Cleaning or replacing this valve are your only options.
Or you may have a cracked propane tank. This can happen due to the bouncing of the trailer or RV. Once your propane tank gets a crack, you cannot repair it. It has to be replaced.
One of the things you have to be careful about when you hear that hissing sound. Watch out for open flames and sparks. Propane, as you know, is highly flammable and it does not take much for it to explode.
That means you should deal with the leak as soon as you hear it. But the problem may be something simple and all you need to do is close a valve or just wait till the pressure relief has finished doing its job.
Propane Tank Leaks When Turned On
The first thing to do is check the different valves. If you find any that are open, then simply close the valve all the way. But if it is the pressure relief valve, leave it alone. Do not touch it as it is working and any interference can cause you some problems.
If this is done, then check to see if the valve stem has gone bad or if you have a cracked propane tank. The bad valve stem can be replaced with ease but the cracked propane tank cannot be repaired. It has to be replaced.
Also, check all your propane equipment to see if they are the cause of the leak. Fix or replace any parts you can to stop this problem.
Some Final Words
Propane leaks are dangerous. You cannot leave them for the next morning as anything can happen overnight. Be careful as even when you work on the problem, you can have additional problems due to the volatility of propane gas.
If you are not comfortable with working with a propane tank or its various parts, call in a pro to handle the problem for you. They will know exactly what to do and do it safely.
