Replacing gas regulator and hose

[Kirk]

My van is coming up to sx years old this year and I am sure I read somewhere that the hgas hose and regulator needs replacing at a certain timescale.

Does anyone know when it needs replacing? Also is it just the hose or do I need to replace the regulator as well?

Thanks
Kirk

 

[WelshGas]

I think the Handbook said 4/5 years. Personally I will replace the regulator when it fails.

 

[Kirk]

Thanks WG, so the hose must be done 4-5 years and the regulator has no timescale? I know the newer vans have a yellow tag showing the date to be replaced but mine does not have this.

 

[AlisonF]

When I had a bottle put in my new Cali last week the guy said the rubber hose needs replacing at 5 years. He didn't mention the regulator - but that's not necessarily conclusive... He also mentioned another type of hose which only needs replacing every 20 years...

 

[Hotel California]

For the cost of a regulator i'd change the whole thing while doing the rubber hose...
Won't harm.

More important is to change the rubber seal between botlle and regulator when changing bottle!

 

[snowy55]

More important is to change the rubber seal between botlle and regulator when changing bottle!

I still can't find these rubber seals in the UK, does anyone else know where to buy them/

 

[AlanC]

The Gaz hose label on a 2010 van states it should be changed by 2015.

The version supplied by VW has the brass unions fitted to the ends and is a specific length. I am sure the unions are not particularity special and may well be able to be supplied and fitted by a Butane/Propane specialist company.

The regulator is not dated.

Alan

 

[DM]

I think the Handbook said 4/5 years. Personally I will replace the regulator when it fails.

Agreed. I've been using the regulator on my camping stove for nearly 20 years with absolutely no problems. I've replaced the hose once - when it started to fail. Hoses aren't expensive so change it on a timescale if you feel comfortable but it is obvious when it starts to deteriorate as it will start to crack.

 

[T6Beach]

Agreed. I've been using the regulator on my camping stove for nearly 20 years with absolutely no problems. I've replaced the hose once - when it started to fail. Hoses aren't expensive so change it on a timescale if you feel comfortable but it is obvious when it starts to deteriorate as it will start to crack.

But a camping stove is used outside, what if the regulator failed when you are asleep?

 

[WelshGas]

But a camping stove is used outside, what if the regulator failed when you are asleep?

The Regulator will fail Safe in my experience of x 1. It just stops working - No Gas.

 

[WelshGas]

Agreed. I've been using the regulator on my camping stove for nearly 20 years with absolutely no problems. I've replaced the hose once - when it started to fail. Hoses aren't expensive so change it on a timescale if you feel comfortable but it is obvious when it starts to deteriorate as it will start to crack.

The Hose on the California is of Double Construction - Outer Rubber - Inner a Much harder Polypropelene type Plastic.
I did the Regulator modification and the tubing is very hard to cut and you need to warm the tubing with boiling water or a Hair Dryer to get it soft enough to fit over a Spigot.
I dumped the VW Tap and Regulator for the Calor Gas Campingaz Combined Stop Tap & Regulator and then fitted an in-line 2 piece brass Gas Line Connector. Much easier to exchange bottles or remove to check gas contents.

 

[Martin]

All gas parts are now in stock including:

• Regulators
• Hoses
• Seals
• Valves

These are genuine Gok products direct from Germany

Order Online:
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/product-category/replacement-gas-parts

 

[WelshGas]

Martin, does the Gas Hose include the Union No 6 as shown in this diagram?

 

[Martin]

No, this is one part we were unable to obtain due to conflicting Gok part numbers, is there another seal within part number 6?

 

[WelshGas]

No, this is one part we were unable to obtain due to conflicting Gok part numbers, is there another seal within part number 6?

I presume it is more a compression fitting as you get in brass plumbing connectors. The problem is you may not be able to re-use it even if you could get it off the straight pipe crimped into the flexible tube, which would make the replacement gas tube un-usable.

 

[WelshGas]

The present part number for the Tube + Compression fitting, I believe is 7E7070608D which replaced 7E7070608B in 2014.

 

[Martin]

Good point, leave this with me..

 

[Martin]

Looks like it is just the 8mm olive that is needed.

I am cali-less at the moment so running a bit blind with this.

 

[WelshGas]

Looks like it is just the 8mm olive that is needed.

I am cali-less at the moment so running a bit blind with this.

That is good, but you will probably have to cut that end tube to get the nut off to reuse.

 

[Martin]

I have just found an image of the gas set up in situ and I can see exactly what you mean now, what I will do is order the olive and the nut to go with the hose.

Thanks again for bringing this to our attention Paul

I also notice on these new hoses they have a ten year life, I was sure it used to be 5 years?

 

[WelshGas]

I have just found an image of the gas set up in situ and I can see exactly what you mean now, what I will do is order the olive and the nut to go with the hose.

Thanks again for bringing this to our attention Paul

I also notice on these new hoses they have a ten year life, I was sure it used to be 5 years?

Well it was supposed to be replaced at 5 years. I modified mine to use the 1 piece Calor - Campingaz combined regulator and stop-cock. It is a very tough hose rubber on the outside with a thick plastic liner inside not at all like the old fashioned rubber gas hoses.

 

[Martin]

OK, We now have the full kit:

1 x Main Hose Assembly
2 x Seals for gas tap valve
1 x Brass Olive
1 x Coupling nut

They did agree we could just cut the bolt off the hose but for the sake of an extra 90p we have included this within the kit.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/product/genuine-gok-gas-hose-seal-kit

 

[WelshGas]

OK, We now have the full kit:

1 x Main Hose Assembly
2 x Seals for gas tap valve
1 x Brass Olive
1 x Coupling nut

They did agree we could just cut the bolt off the hose but for the sake of an extra 90p we have included this within the kit.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/product/genuine-gok-gas-hose-seal-kit

Excellent.

 

[Barryjm]

Thanks guys for all the info in this post, I used the info and the parts from the Cali shop to replace my gas connections. Pretty easy process to complete and now I no longer have a gas leak! Success!

For info the seals on the connector lasted 8 years, I did not change them every time I changed or swapped gas bottles, but having a spare set with the kit is a bonus! Not saying that they shouldn't be changed each time but mine seemed to survive pretty well.

 

[westfalia]

Just about to change my gas hose and regulator from the @Everything VW California . Our regulator had been changed to a CampingGaz by a previous owner...

Can someone just confirm which way round the olive goes on the van side connector?

View attachment 34364 This is my guess but am afraid of committal!

That looks about right to me. I take it you have the rubber seals also.
Mine has got like a double nut on it a bit different than the
one you have.
Don´t forget the gas leak detector spray when you´ve finished.