Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Line Venting

WARNING:
^ AVOID INHALING GAS OR OCCUPYING CONFINED AREAS CONTAINING PROPANE. PROPANE IS HEAVIER THAN AIR. THE HEAVIER GAS CAN DISPLACE OR PUSH FRESH AIR OUT OF AN AREA. IN LARGE QUANTITIES, PROPANE CAN DISPLACE ENOUGH OXYGEN TO MAKE THE SURROUNDING AIR UNFIT TO BREATHE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE ILLNESS. IF A PERSON BREATHES PROPANE GAS, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS AND WEAKNESS IN THE EXTREMITIES CAN OCCUR. IN SEVERE CASES, PROLONGED BREATHING OF PROPANE-FOULED AIR CAN CAUSE SUFFOCATION. IN THE EVENT OF ILLNESS FROM INHALING PROPANE GAS, MOVE THE VICTIM IMMEDIATELY TO FRESH AIR AND CONTACT A PHYSICIAN OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY PERSONNEL FOR ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION OR OTHER REQUIRED TREATMENT.
^ DO NOT NEEDLESSLY VENT PROPANE FUEL DURING REPAIR AND DO NOT OPEN THE 80% STOP-FILL VALVE WHILE A VEHICLE IS INSIDE A BUILDING. WHEN REPAIRING THE FUEL SYSTEM, FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL TANKS AND RUN THE ENGINE OUT OF FUEL BEFORE DISCONNECTING THE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF THE FUEL TANK(S) ARE BEING REPAIRED, HAVE THE FUEL EVACUATED BY TRAINED PERSONNEL AT A LOCAL PROPANE FUEL STATION. LIQUID PROPANE VAPORIZES AT NORMAL BAROMETRIC PRESSURE AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE -42°C (-44°F), AND EXPANDS TO 270 TIMES ITS VOLUME AS A LIQUID. UNNECESSARY VENTING OF PROPANE FUEL CAN CREATE FIRE AND HEALTH HAZARDS WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
^ BE ALERT FOR SITUATIONS THAT MAY CAUSE THE PROPANE FUEL SYSTEM TO VENT FUEL. THESE INCLUDE EXTREMELY HOT DAYS, PARKING NEAR A SPACE HEATER OR HOISTING A VEHICLE NEAR A CEILING HEATER. RELEASE OF PROPANE FUEL IN A CONFINED AREA THROUGH THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE COULD OCCUR. THE RELEASE OF PROPANE FUEL IN A CONFINED AREA COULD RESULT IN AN ACCUMULATION OF FLAMMABLE VAPORS. IF FUEL IS VENTED NEAR A HEAT SOURCE, A FIRE OR EXPLOSION COULD OCCUR.
^ IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO USE A PAINT DRYING OVEN TO CURE AUTOMOTIVE FINISHES WHEN A VEHICLE BODY REQUIRES REPAINTING OR AFTER INSTALLING A SECOND UNIT BODY ONTO THE FORD CHASSIS. IF THE VEHICLE IS CURED IN AN OVEN, THE TEMPERATURE MUST NOT EXCEED 60°C (140°F). THE DRYING TIME IN THE OVEN MUST NOT EXCEED 40 MINUTES. THE FUEL MUST BE EVACUATED FROM THE LINES PRIOR TO CURING THE VEHICLE IN THE PAINT DRYING OVEN.
^ IF A CONFINED AREA, SUCH AS A LUBRICATION PIT, HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO PROPANE GAS, THE AREA SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR ADEQUATE OXYGEN LEVELS BY A LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT BEFORE BEING ENTERED OR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH MAY OCCUR.
^ THE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE MUST BE EVACUATED PRIOR TO TANK REMOVAL. REMOVAL OF COMPONENTS WITHOUT PRESSURE RELIEF OR TANK EVACUATION CAN CAUSE PROPANE FUEL TO ESCAPE INTO THE AIR AND CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.


NOTE: In high ambient temperatures, such as those experienced in desert locations, the fuel system is designed to vent excess fuel vapor pressure. The pressure relief valve will vent fuel and automatically reset itself.







1. Close the Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) tank manual tank valve on the LH outboard LPG tank, if equipped.







2. Close the liquid propane gas (LPG) tank manual tank valve on the aft-axle LPG tank if equipped.







3. Disconnect the liquid propane gas (LPG) tank relay(s).

NOTE: Only one relay for single LPG tank system, two relays for dual tank LPG system.







4. Set the fuel selector switch to run on LPG and run the vehicle until the lamp goes out.

NOTE: Residual pressure may still be present.







5. Repeat the previous step to make sure all LPG is removed from the lines.

NOTE: If the vehicle is equipped with dual LPG tanks, repeat this step with the LPG switch selected for the other LPG tank.

6. To pressurize the fuel system, reinstall the tank relay(s), open manual tank valve(s), set the fuel selector switch to run on LPG and cycle the ignition to the RUN position.