Auto LPG Gas Tank Ruptures

Hi all,
Just to alert those that may have lpg gas tanks fitted;

Saturday 9th of June up near Karratha, a series 100 Land Cruiser had a cold gas tank rupture. The vehicle had twin lpg gas tanks fitted, one being under the LH passenger seat. This tank ruptured causing some serious damage to the vehicle, the passenger excaped with slight cuts and bruise one cut on his forehead.
Information below from a reliable source as to what could have caused the tank to rupture.

Approximately 6-7 years ago it became evident that one specific safety relief valve had been installed incorrectly in a series of new auto lpg containers causing the safety valve to remain closed well in excess of the designed relief pressure. This created a National recall and inspection program to replace any of these valves in service. In WA the Dept of Transport required vehicles licensed as dual fuel with lpg be inspected, rectified if fitted with that particualr valve and signed off by a licensed autogas fitter prior to being relicensed. Some of these valves were also installed by lpg tank retest stations when recertifying tanks. There were a small number of multiple lpg tank vehicles (all petrol that I am aware of) that when fitted using a common fill point and one lpg tank being isolated as a "reserve tank" and after many fills of the main tank the "reserve tank" filled well beyond the 80% maximum and when a faulty relief valve would not open the tank would "cold rupture" due to the lpg expanding in hotter ambient conditions. The volume of liquid inside is too big for the capacity of the cylinder, pressure relief valve fails to open and the tank cold ruptures


http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vib65_19_march_07.pdf

This NSW site has the relevant information and some photos of the Sidek PRX valve that must be replaced. All other relief valves are not affected and larger capacity tanks with 1" BSPT relief valves are not affected either.

Any licensed Autogas fitter (not domestic) can inspect and identify the suspect valve. The best port of call to have it changed if required is a tank test station. They have the facility to decant remaining lpg from the vehicle tank.

Cheers, Nugget.