I have a standard barbecue propane regulator. Upon putting soapy water, a tiny bit of bubbles comes from where the plastic crank on "nut" is on the shaft that goes into the port on the bottle. I looked behind there, and it looks like the washer is split. I don't think it's supposed to be. The "nut" is threaded and could come off with some care. Is this worth rebuilding, should I take it to my local small town propane supplier for repairs, or just pay $17 for a new one? It's time to take my Vermont Castings apart anyway. It has two loose igniter wires, and needs a good power washing. Just thought I'd fix everything while I am at it.
Steve
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re: "I looked behind there, and it looks like the washer is split."
If it were a lock washer wouldn't it look split?
Or is that not the type of split you mean?
reply:
Imagine taking the regulator off the tank with your hand using that big black poly nut that they use now to hook them up. The brass fitting sticks out like a mushroom. The black nut slides on the stem of the mushroom. Looking back to where the nut slides on the brass tube, there looks like a vinyl washer. It is impossible to see it clearly without total disassembly. It is the same washer used in lots of applications that is plastic or some synthetic, and are usually one piece. This has a spot where there is a split in it, and I don't think it should be there. I guess the best way to describe the washer would be "packing" instead of washer, but it does not squeeze into a wedge shaped area, rather is spread over two flat mated surfaces. Just like the flat "washer" in a CO2 regulator mates the flat brass faces. If you have a regulator like this, just take it off and look inside the poly nut and how it slides on that shaft.
The poly nut is threaded, so it can be disassembled. I am going to take it to my supplier Monday, and he will be able to tell me in a second, maybe even fix it. But I don't want to take it apart until I know if it can be fixed, what type of LocTite or whatever to reassemble with, etc., and I figured someone here would know.
Thanks.
Steve
Heart surgery pending? Read up and prepare. Learn how to care for a friend.
Your propane guys probably do this many times a year. I'd call and ask them. Sadly, many things are cheaper to pitch out and replace. Such as cell phones. I like supporting small business.
re: "Looking back to where the nut slides on the brass tube, there looks like a vinyl washer."
I just checked mine and as far as I can tell there is no washer. There is a raised area that slides along the brass tube, which is the same diameter as the mushroom head, but as far as I can tell it's molded as part of the "big black poly nut".
I stuck a thin knife down along the bass tube and the raised area appears to as solid as, and part of, the "big black poly nut".
My grill is a BBQ grillware, available (AFAIK) only at Lowes, so maybe VC grills have a different regulator.
I can check my regulator when I get home in a few hours. I'll take a look and see what I see.
Save your time. A call to my propane supplier today revealed that if they fix it according to government requirements, it will cost $30. If I go buy a new one, it is $16.
I sleep so much better at night, and feel more secure during the day because I can see that my government is watching out for me.
Steve
Heart surgery pending? Read up and prepare. Learn how to care for a friend.
What would we ever do without government? (Well, we'd have to smile, wave and take turns at intersections. We could hire and fire the people who actually did useful work. We could repair our own cars, and ..... hey, that doesn't sound too bad!)
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