APA gas tank removal question

[gussy]

Dear All,

Firstly, thanks for adding me to the forum (again). It's been a while.

A few years ago I bought a RRC that had been converted to gas/lpg (2 x APA gas tanks and 1 x LRA auxiliary tank). I travel a lot in the country and it's getting harder and harder to find an autogas bowser. Even the one in Ravensthorpe was just removed. Not only that, the cost of LPG has gone up making the cost/km basically the same on each fuel.

I have started removing the gas system and want some clarification on the valves that are built into the tanks (see attachment) before I go any further:

1. Service valve
2. Outlet line
3. Level indicator
4. Fill line.


My questions are:

1 . When I close off the service valves on each tank by turning them clockwise, that prevents any gas from coming out the outlet line correct?
2. If I remove the fill lines from each tank (which are joined by a T piece upstream that then goes to the main filler socket), is there a non return valve built into the tanks that will prevent the entire tank venting its contents through the fill line connector on each tank?

Thanks heaps for any info.

ps if you think this should be in RRC thread, let me know,

Gussy121915121915121915

[bee utey]

Q1 and Q2 can be answered by "yes", providing the valves are working correctly. Occasionally service valves on those lose their rubber seats and sometimes the filler valve non return valves are damaged by dirt from a dodgy supply or missing filler cap. Also the electric solenoids should be able to shut off the tank outlets on their own. If you remove the connection to the electric solenoids you can run the engine until it runs out of gas so the lines should be near empty. With the filler lines, loosen one fitting and wait for the lines to clear before removing the pipes. Gas proof caps can be made by cutting the copper pipe some 100mm from the tank, flattening and folding it over a few times and refitting to the inlets.

Remember any work on a LPG system is supposed to be done by licensed professionals so don't do this near a naked flame and burn down your house. Insurance will not look kindly at your mistakes.

[gussy]

Thankyou so much Bee Utey! I'm glad I was on the right track. You're a wealth of information.

I'll let you know how it turns out soon. Hoping I can find a nice open space away from civilisation to remove the pipes this weekend.

Looking forwards to a smooth engine running on petrol only.