walked into the garage this morning and thought I smelled acetylene. checked the tank, empty. the tanks were shut down proper, both the oxygen and acetylene tank valves were shut tight, regulators were backed out and torch was off. last time I used it was last spring. when I put it away then I knew the acetylene was very low. I have had this set up for years and never had an issue like this. We have had some cool weather past couple of weeks, well below zero. but that's normal here. the tank visually looks good. any ideas on this. glad I dint have a full tank........
acetylene leak
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SgtHawkUSMC
Well-known member
Moisture froze in the shut off valve? Seal went bad? Could be any number of reasons, but if you had the main valve shut off and it leaked, that's the first thing that would go if it were mine.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
If You have exchange tanks, mention the potential problem of a leaky tank shutoff valve.
They ""might/may" compensate your loss with a full exchange tank at no charge..
I own all My tanks, but carry ten year test/exchange/service contract/agreements on them.
Worth asking The vendor.
They ""might/may" compensate your loss with a full exchange tank at no charge..
I own all My tanks, but carry ten year test/exchange/service contract/agreements on them.
Worth asking The vendor.
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Kaizen
Well-known member
Thought acetylene was not smellible? What does it smell like? My little tank scares the hell out of me
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BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
It is hard to describe; other than it smells like acetylene
It is a smell I relate to lighting a torch.. So the only other thing I can say it smells like a torch being lit
metaldad
Well-known member
it was the dawg!
MO-Iron
Well-known member
If I remember correctly, most acetylene tanks have a fuse plug in the bottom for explosion prevention in a fire. I have not had one leak, but that is a possibility.
Is there something particular about acetylene that scares you or just the tanks in general. I'm not super big on the oxy/acetylene setup and rarely use mine so I traded my big tanks in for argon tanks for tig welding.
Kaizen
Well-known member
More like a lot of respect...boardering on fear. Not a lot of time on the torch I guess. I know that little tank has enough explosive power to level my shop so I make double sure I close it up. The cylinder connections arbitrarily shooting out the regulator pin things and killing you also freaks me out
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I have to agree with you. I have the greatest amount of respect for those tanks and tablesaws, or fear, fear or respect not sure
Kaizen
Well-known member
The same summer I got my little torch a car in a parking lot disintegrated from the exact victor jr being stored in the trunk and a shop with a larger tank leaked and ignited. I know it is heavier then air and don’t think it dispersed easily. Now with op saying even if you do all proper steps it still can leak. Oy
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Buckgnarly
Well-known member
looked the tank over good, could not find anything. oxy tank still has pressure. I have had the tanks for 8 years, they were my fathers before that. I don't use them much, except for warming up stuck nuts/bolts and some cutting. the smell is gone today. I will replace tank when I bring them in.
thanks
thanks
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Muffler shop in south Florida completely disintegrated back in the day. Acetylene is no joke.
Jimmy_B
Well-known member
Webby probably had something to do with it.