Can't fill the LPG on my '87 Westfalia

[cmorris2104]

Hi,

I'm having problems filling the LPG on my 1987 Westfalia. I've read the manuals and it seems like it should be a matter of putting the LPG filler into the tank and then the auto filling stop valve will cut out when it gets to 80%, but it is cutting out immediately. I've been running the gas for 2 seasons now and I am sure that the tank is well below 80%, so I should be able to put some in at least.

The only thing I haven't tried is to open the main valve on the gas tank, which is obviously normally used to supply gas to the domestics and the BBQ attachment, but I was reluctant to try this as it wasn't listed in the manual.

Any help would be appreciated, as we are going to Bristol Van festival this weekend and want to cook in the van.

Cheers

Charles

[DaveyP2004]

Hi,
You should be able to check how much gas is in the tank as there is a little gauge near where the top up valve is.

The gas can last for a very long time so it may be that you still have plenty in.

Are you aware you need an adaptor to fill up the gas on a Westie ?

There are various options available but most use 2 of UK Bayonet Style here http://www.gasure.co.uk/adaptors.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also just read this thread about a cheaper adopter option:
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=86553" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers,
Dave

[Red Westie]

£11.49 posted...I bought one of these a few weeks back.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0728096292" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Note* LPG gas pumps time out! (only allow so many seconds before a re-set is necessary)
Also they won't fill if there is a leak on the nozzle.
Note* Gauges often don't work on westie tanks because the internal float mechanism fills with liquid and looses it's boyancy.

Martin

[Stinkypants]

Sorry for adding a late reply to this topic, but hopefully the info will be of use and I could do with some help myself.

We only picked up our '85 Westy a couple of months back and on a recent camper trip the gas appeared to fizzle out. Bit of a panic because I hadn't double checked exactly how much gas we had to start (was filled by the previous owner) or got round to getting myself an adaptor. This was further exacerbated when we rushed to a local LPG supplier and was told it must be a problem with the system because the tank was full because he couldn't get anything in (the dial said it was close to empty but this was reckoned to be faulty).

Well before I started pulling anything out I figured I would give filling the thing myself a go so got myself the same adaptor as RedWestie (previous poster). People have also suggested getting 2x UK Style adaptor (http://www.gasure.co.uk/adaptors.htm) but I thought an all in one would be easier to work with.

So last night I headed off to Morrisons at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol which has an LPG pump. Quickly realised I didn't have a clue what I was doing with the nozzle but the chap behind took pity and helped me out. Now this is where my essay ( ) might get useful.

The pump used the same nozzle as the LPG supplier we previously went to see. Turns out this is a De Visser "Gun".



We thought we had it connected, but again nothing was coming through. However according to my helpful chappie he felt it was because it wasn't truly connected; he felt the bayonet connection hadn't properly clicked into place. So he suggested I try the ASDA next door, which uses a different nozzle. Turns out the ASDA nozzle is known as a Gas Guard "Gun".



Bingo! Once I felt I had a secure connection I pressed the button and joy of joys, the dial started clicking over. Keep an eye on the dial because it will start to slow down once you get to that 80% figure, and if you just keep it held down you'll get a big puff of very cold LPG when you disconnect because of the pressure level (hey - it was my first time!).

For reference I found this PDF http://www.drivelpg.co.uk/uploads/file/ ... elling.pdf that talks you through (with pictures!) how to properly use both.

So if you are having trouble getting LPG into your imported Westy it may be because you haven't actually got a proper connection rather than big time problems with your gas system.

My question is, has anyone successfully managed to fill their tank using one of these adaptors and a De Visser "Gun", else would a combination of the adaptor I've got and one from Gasure possibly do the trick?

[Cruz]

Problem is that the majority of places use the cheaper De Visser gun

[Stinkypants]

Argh! That just makes my question more apt. Do folks know of an adaptor that works with both types, or which adaptors you need to have to be able to handle both?

[Red Westie]

The adapter WE both have is the same as the 'two' Steve at Gasure sells and as far as I'm aware knoweone else has reported any problems...
My local station has the lower of the two guns in your thread.

Martin

[kent0n]

Hoping this helps someone else avoid the panic this caused me...

I recently tried to fill up with the De Visser gun (top one above) using two adapters together, thinking that my tank was low. I had successfully done this some time previously with the Gas Guard Gun.

After a previous smooth fill up with the Gas Guard gun, the De Visser was a bit of a disaster. The attempt succeeded in forcing open the valve of the van's lpg tank a bit so that the existing LPG in the tank was dripping out (started to worry at this point). I had already got the family into the garage before filling up as a safety precaution - something I would recommend, but became increasingly worried about sparks from other vehicles/ electrics ignighting the gas pouring onto the floor as by now the adapters had been frozen into place by the LPG pouring through them and I was getting freeze burns from the LPG liquid as I tried to get them out.

I ended up running to the nearby garage workshop and borrowing some grips from a bemused looking man, which I used to remove the adapters and very firmly replace the filler cap on the vans LPG tank. I have tried to fix this but think that I will now have to wait until the tank is empty in order to check the valve. In the meantime the filler cap is seems to be working to stop any leaking, I now intend to keep a cloth and grips handy when filling.

Any ideas on a way of safely emptying the current LPG from the tank gratefully received

NB for the record the Gas Guard Gun was at a shell garage in Tonbridge, anyone know if all shell garages have these?

[California Dreamin]

Interestingly...our shell station has this type as well...... looks like Shell's choice of filler nozle, maybe more peeps will confirm.

Martin

[norfolkbcs]

We have used both types on our conversion with no adaptors. Just a thought - does your tank need recalibrating?

Donna

[cmorris2104]

I still have the same problem with filling. I took it to a local LPG service guy and he believes the needle inside the tank is stuck and its falsely stating it full. I really just want to get the whole thing serviced, as I'm sure the rubber hoses also need doing, does anyone know of a place in the south west that can do this?

[Nij]

My question is, has anyone successfully managed to fill their tank using one of these adaptors and a De Visser "Gun", else would a combination of the adaptor I've got and one from Gasure possibly do the trick?

Yes, when I first had the BMW converted it used the same adaptors (I have since had it changed over for the more common plug system that required a real hole drilling in the body work.
The De Visser connectors do work, but not very well as you have expirenced, you can remove a little bit off the 'T' (ill post a pic if I can find my old connector) to make it work better, but they do work with a little aggrovation.

I am shocked how much you guys pay for the adaptors, the LPG place I got mine converted by sell them at £5 each! If there is enough interest I will see if I can get a few of them.

[Ian Hulley]

Interestingly...our shell station has this type as well...... looks like Shell's choice of filler nozle, maybe more peeps will confirm.

Martin

Yes it looks that way.

I have 2 bayonet adaptors screwed together and have filled our leisure tank up no problems on both styles of nozzle. (Asda's budget lever type and Shell twist and lock).

Ian