Rusty propane

[Sailingbluew]

I have a rusty propane tank it has been sitting in water due to stuck draining valve. Any idea how to unclog it?

It must be full of rust.

I got the got 3 days ago and try to open the gas valve and when it didn't work I pulled it out and found this.

How do I dispose or exchange it in Mexico?

[boatpoker]

"Draining valve" !
There should be no valve in the drain of your propane locker.

Get rid of that tank and fix your locker drain.

[SailingHarmonie]

Exchange it???? Really? You would send this tank off to be refilled and given to someone else? REALLY???!?!?!!?!?

If there is still propane in here this is a disaster waiting to happen. It is YOUR problem. You have screwed up by letting this mess occur. Do not just throw it in the trash and turn it into someone else's problem that might kill them. Be responsible for the mess you have made.

A proper modern tank valve will not allow the propane to come out of the valve if there is no hose attached to the outlet.

Is there any propane in the tank? When you shake it can you feel liquid sloshing around? If yes, you NEED to empty it before you throw it in the trash. If you are lucky, the tank rusted until it developed a pin-hole and the propane all leaked out.

[Sailingbluew]

Oh, that is good news. There is this half eaten metal knob in the bottom. I thought any gas leak would go through there and out

[Sailingbluew]

I have had the boat for 3 days and it is impossible to unscrew the top

It is actually a drainage hole:

[Pandor]

Yes. Propane lockers have a drain vent at the bottom. No valves. Pull apart the hose and unclog.

[boatpoker]

Here ya go ... Learn a little about propane installations ...
Safe Boat Propane System Installation

[stormalong]

There is an air bleed screw on the side of the tank valve. Take the tank away from everyone, to an open area and open that bleed screw. Let it spew the propane out - may take a while. Then remove the bleed screw and throw it away separately from the tank so no one can try to refil it.

[Island Time O25]

If you only owned the boat for 3 days and found this I'd be worried about the rest of the boat's integrity.

[BlueH2Obound]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

Exchange it???? Really? You would send this tank off to be refilled and given to someone else? REALLY???!?!?!!?!?

If there is still propane in here this is a disaster waiting to happen. It is YOUR problem. You have screwed up by letting this mess occur. Do not just throw it in the trash and turn it into someone else's problem that might kill them. Be responsible for the mess you have made.

A proper modern tank valve will not allow the propane to come out of the valve if there is no hose attached to the outlet.

Is there any propane in the tank? When you shake it can you feel liquid sloshing around? If yes, you NEED to empty it before you throw it in the trash. If you are lucky, the tank rusted until it developed a pin-hole and the propane all leaked out.

SH,

Sailingbluew is TRYING to fix the problem, one not of his making. He's only had the boat for 3 days for heavens sake, so this problem is NOT of his making as you've assumed (incorrectly). Exchanging the tank, if a filler would take it, would ensure that the tank was properly disposed of if it failed professional inspection, which fillers are required to do before putting tanks back in service.

It is also possible , though NOT likely, that the lower portion of the tank, the base, the part that doesn't contain propane, is the only portion that is too rusted, and can be repaired. I can't tell for sure from the pics. The valve can also be replaced at minimal cost by the filler.

Give the guy a break. And an apology might be in order . . .

[Rearsteer]

Clean the tank up and look how much rust there is. Look for any areas that are small indents. The small pits on the tank, not the base are the problem. this makes the the tank unsafe if deep pits are present. I like to use compressed air to unplug lines. Hard to find on a Sailboat Mexico. May need to remove the line, unplug the drain hole and insure the line is open. Try to get all of the rust out. Congrats on your new boat! My wife and I cruised Mexico for six months and loved it. Once you sort out your boat, go and enjoy it!

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Rearsteer

Clean the tank up and look how much rust there is. Look for any areas that are small indents. The small pits on the tank, not the base are the problem. this makes the the tank unsafe if deep pits are present. I like to use compressed air to unplug lines. Hard to find on a Sailboat Mexico. May need to remove the line, unplug the drain hole and insure the line is open. Try to get all of the rust out. Congrats on your new boat! My wife and I cruised Mexico for six months and loved it. Once you sort out your boat, go and enjoy it!

As a full time cruiser using propane since 1994, I disagree. I am a fan of propane but it is not to be played with. An unskilled judgement on the safety of any propane component is too risky.

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by BlueH2Obound

SH,

Sailingbluew is TRYING to fix the problem, one not of his making. He's only had the boat for 3 days for heavens sake, so this problem is NOT of his making as you've assumed (incorrectly). Exchanging the tank, if a filler would take it, would ensure that the tank was properly disposed of if it failed professional inspection, which fillers are required to do before putting tanks back in service.

It is also possible , though NOT likely, that the lower portion of the tank, the base, the part that doesn't contain propane, is the only portion that is too rusted, and can be repaired. I can't tell for sure from the pics. The valve can also be replaced at minimal cost by the filler.

Give the guy a break. And an apology might be in order . . .

Propane tanks are not expensive. The time and effort to clean and paint it is not worth doing.

What is worth doing is to buy an aluminum tank. My aluminum tanks are going on 40 years old and keep passing inspection. They have been re-valved twice.

[MikeHoncho]

Originally Posted by BlueH2Obound

SH,



It is also possible , though NOT likely, that the lower portion of the tank, the base, the part that doesn't contain propane, is the only portion that is too rusted, and can be repaired. I can't tell for sure from the pics. The valve can also be replaced at minimal cost by the filler.

Give the guy a break. And an apology might be in order . . .

This is completely not possible and the above is incorrect. There is no repairing LPG tanks other than valve replacement. LPG (liquid petroleum gas is a liquid in the tank and is on the bottom if in the tank. That tank is the worst I've seen in the 20+ years I've been in hazmat response. The tank needs to be vented immediately, emptied and opened to atmosphere. Responders would flare it till empty (large Bunsen Burner) . I idea of opening the vent is a valid one but will take time and you need to dissipate the gas as it accumulates in low lying areas. You can speed it up by flipping the tank over and releasing liquid propane but your need to consider gas accumulation is alot greater. LPG expands 270:1. If you vent vapors, the tank will cool and lower pressure. Keeping it warm will keep the volume venting up.

[SailingHarmonie]

Originally Posted by BlueH2Obound

SH,

Sailingbluew is TRYING to fix the problem, one not of his making. He's only had the boat for 3 days for heavens sake, so this problem is NOT of his making as you've assumed (incorrectly). Exchanging the tank, if a filler would take it, would ensure that the tank was properly disposed of if it failed professional inspection, which fillers are required to do before putting tanks back in service.

It is also possible , though NOT likely, that the lower portion of the tank, the base, the part that doesn't contain propane, is the only portion that is too rusted, and can be repaired. I can't tell for sure from the pics. The valve can also be replaced at minimal cost by the filler.

Give the guy a break. And an apology might be in order . . .

It might not be of his making, but it is his problem. He bought the boat, and had a survey (maybe?). Sending the tank out for someone else to deal with without knowledge of the problem is not the way we should do things.

And your suggestion that this can somehow be repaired is totally irresponsible, and frankly, just not possible. There is no place on this planet that is a good idea. I know the OP is in Mexico and the rules there are not always enforced, but the rules about how to deal with propane are written in blood. They are developed as mistakes are made, and people die. You ignore them at risk of your life. Throwing this to someone else is just not right.