Gas smell when black lid of gas container removed

Sue G · Apr 17, 2017

Hi everyone,
We've just had delivery of our new Cali - hard to believe it's actually arrived after 6 month wait. After connecting the gas cylinder up today we noticed that when we removed the black lid a bit later on in the day there was a gas smell. Is this normal on removal of the lid or might there be a problem. We've been over everything to check things are done up tightly.

I did try to do a search before posting but couldn't seem to find the answer.
Many thanks in anticipation of your help.
Sue

Meoncoast · Apr 17, 2017

not normal on mine I would take out bottle remove valves and put back and try again are rubber seals on valves could be missing

ArunAlec · Apr 17, 2017

Mine always has a whiff of gas.

Teejay · Apr 17, 2017

Never smelt gas on mine, only when turning on the hob.

Glyn · Apr 17, 2017

You definitely shouldn't smell gas! It may be just a small leak from when fitting the new bottle. If the smell doesn't go I suggest you try refitting. If this doesn't work I'm sure having just spent a lot of money with them the dealer would be happy to check it over for you.

jeff · Apr 17, 2017

Mine doesn't have a leek and there is always a whiff of gas when taking lid off. I leave it turned on all the time . If you think you have a leak try putting washing up liquid on joints to see if it bubbles or try your local friendly gas plumber. Dealer probably won't have a clue.

Argo&Liebe · Apr 17, 2017

Here same as Jeff

Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk

bigmac77 · Apr 18, 2017

Buy yourself some of this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/arctic-products-gas-leak-detector-spray-250ml/95781

And spraytest the connection to the cylinder, any bubbles indicate a leak an no matter how small you shouldn't not have one.

briwy · Apr 18, 2017

You need to use diluted washing up liquid. Neat is to thick to bubble with very small leaks.
Have you overtightened the valve. Only needs to be handtight.

Sue G · Apr 18, 2017

Many thanks for all your replies. I don't think I've overtightened the valve as everything is hand-tight.
When I took the black lid off today the gas smell was less noticeable but I could still smell it if I put my head into the lower part of the cupboard. I'll hopefully have more time tomorrow to try the diluted washing up test.
Thank you again for your responses.

Sue G · Apr 18, 2017

Could I just ask, do people always turn their gas off when travelling and if so is that at the cylinder end, under the hob or both.

calikev · Apr 18, 2017

I never did and still alive lol good practice to turn it off at the bottle whilst driving

Teejay · Apr 18, 2017

We always turn off at the sink. Normally when leaving a site we almost always stop on the way back for a cuppa. Once we've had the cuppa we then isolate at the bottle and under the sink.

I have a small plastic container in the bottom shelf of the rear cupboard so it everything comes out in one and it's easy to turn the gas off.

jeff · Apr 18, 2017

Only turn it off at the sink . Never bothered with the valve in the boot .

Sue G · Apr 24, 2017

Just to thank everyone for their replies. We disconnected and then reconnected everything and although there is a very slight smell of gas when we take off the black lid and put our nose close to the opening it soon dissipates so hoping this is ok as nowhere near as strong as before. We did try the diluted washing in liquid test and couldn't see any bubbles.
Thanks again.

AlanC · Apr 25, 2017

As your van is new, my guess is that the rubber seals are just bedding in and in due course there will be no smells.

Tighten all of the fittings as much as you can and remember that some are a left hand screw, so you may be loosening them inadvertently.

Alan