B190 Enthusiasts

Does anyone know how much it might cost to replace the propane valve at a repair shop? Ours has a leak...when we turn it on there is a hiss. Just wondering what we might be looking at. I don't think it could really cost all that much, but who knows?

Make sure its not just the hose where it leaves the valve....I've had 2 that leaked there rather than at the valve itself

The crimp on the hose was bad...

If its leaking around the stem that the handle is attached to, look close, there is a nut there you can tighten slightly that increases the pressure on the packing ring.....it looks to be left-hand thread as I see the notches on the corner of that nut

Thanks, I will double-check that.

I added something there for ya....

Mine used to do the same thing - leaking out the handle. It stopped a while back and hasn't done it since. A bit scary, but I'll go with it.

Well, it was in the fall when we last tried it, so operating on that theory, I will open it up and maybe it will not do it now. I love these suggestions! Keep 'em coming!

Did ya see this that I added....?


If its leaking around the stem that the handle is attached to, look close, there is a nut there you can tighten slightly that increases the pressure on the packing ring.....it looks to be left-hand thread as I see the notches on the corner of that nut

Thanks again...I will definitely check that out before taking it somewhere.

Alaskan wrote:Make sure its not just the hose where it leaves the valve....I've had 2 that leaked there rather than at the valve itself

The crimp on the hose was bad...

If its leaking around the stem that the handle is attached to, look close, there is a nut there you can tighten slightly that increases the pressure on the packing ring.....it looks to be left-hand thread as I see the notches on the corner of that nut

Add my '94 to this last "issue" list too. I will check the hose and also see if that nut can be tightened. ...Can't express how useful this forum is for a 20 year old Bvan! I have saved a ton of money and time. I wonder if I'll ever run out of little things to fix? LOL ...Rick

nope you won't....and its well worth it

The alternative is very costly....( a new B-type van conversion )

Dang, just filled the tank, turned it on and propane stated venting out from somewhere around the valve. I hope I can fix this without having to drain the propane. How the heck would I do that anyway?

Mark wrote:Dang, just filled the tank, turned it on and propane stated venting out from somewhere around the valve. I hope I can fix this without having to drain the propane. How the heck would I do that anyway?

I think shops usually burn it off by hooking up a heater before working on it.

I don't think you want to try fixing it, especially without removing the propane. Think about it - a highly flammable gas, metal tools and parts... This might be a job for the pros.

That said, try turning it off and back on, and be sure you open it the full way. Your leak may stop until you can get it repaired.

Thanks, I'm going to see if tighten the nut behind the actual handle does anything. Hopefully it does. If not, I'll take it somewhere to have it fixed.

Nope, it was already tight, I'm going to have to take it somewhere.

Mark wrote:Nope, it was already tight, I'm going to have to take it somewhere.

Yeah. If yours is doing the same thing mine was, I think the issue is that the packing material that seals the stem wears out, so it starts leaking through there. We had a shop fix it, which included replacing the knob. It never leaked after that!