Strong Propane Smell From Furnaces When Tank Is Low

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Strong Propane Smell from Furnaces when Tank is Low

• Posted by Jim Stoltz on January 17, 2015 at 4:32pm in RV Repair & Maintence
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Is there a scientific explanation for this? When my RV's propane tank is nearing empty, I get a strong propane smell from the furnaces. It does this whether I'm using the frame-mounted tank or the 20 lb. cylinders. When I first noticed it last year, I nearly went nuts looking for a non-existent leak.

I was just out there goofing around with a couple of things and smelled propane. Checked the onboard tank monitor and saw it was nearing empty. Switched to a fresh 20 lb. cylinder and it's okay again - no smell. 

Is this "normal"?

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Permalink Reply by Jim Stoltz on January 17, 2015 at 4:33pm

I should mention that when I get the smell, the furnaces are still generating heat. They're not "out" and blowing propane around with the blower fan.

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Permalink Reply by Lakota Wolf on January 17, 2015 at 10:49pm The phenonomen of the smell is the additive they put in L.P.G. the old rotten egg smell.... When the tank nears empty the settled additive along with the actual **liquid propane is fill the gas lines. L.PG. is in the tank as a liquid *Gas. (Chemistry class) liquid gas. The gas is is heavier toward the bottom and flows heavier thru the lines and that pungent smell (safety additive) is more noticable. ( The science channel had an article on the same issue your having.. But this was on a cabin cruiser boat.It was also mentioned on the show that your fixing to run out of propane.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Stoltz on January 17, 2015 at 11:08pm Thank you! Great explanation. No need to worry I guess.

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Permalink Reply by david craft on January 18, 2015 at 9:27am Ethyl mercaptan. One pint per 10,000 gallons LP. Smelliest stuff on the planet they tell. Accumulates in older tanks in the oil left behind from evaporated LP. You can rinse the tank with alcohol and get some relief, though Im not sure how much.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Stoltz on January 18, 2015 at 10:09am

It's not worth all that so long as I know what it is. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Lakota Wolf on January 18, 2015 at 11:18am Yea mercaptan, which I think they got from my son in laws socks. Usually when your tanks are refilled the *Purge helps remove some of it. But as long as it don't stink when there is gas in there I would use the stink as a warning your running low ( or my son in law is near by ).

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Permalink Reply by Jim Stoltz on January 18, 2015 at 11:21am

Yeah it only stinks when it's running low. I'm going to invest in a propane detector before next season anyway just to be safe. In the meantime, I like to run the heat when I'm tinkering out there. When I smelled that smell yesterday I checked the gauge and sure enough it was almost out. It usually starts to stink below 1/4 tank. I hooked up a 20 lb. tank and the smell went away almost immediately.

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Permalink Reply by Manny on January 21, 2020 at 7:51pm

Hi Jim,

Did You ever figure it out. I could tell that no one here could understand what you are talking about or asking about. I have the same problem. It's only when there is like a gallon left and its inside the RV which makes one wonder why inside rather than outside. But it is perfect when a new tank is in...... I have a few Ideas but I want to see if you figured it out yet

Manny

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