Dryer smells like gas after hiatus and reinstall

Question

I just reinstalled my gas dryer after a lengthy hiatus due to remodeling. The plumbing hasn't changed much except that I had taken off but then reinstalled (with yellow Teflon tape) the 2' appliance connector.

Just before putting it back there was no gas smell but now there is throughout the house. I did run a test load and it dried fine. So I shut the valve at the outlet off, just before the connector and there is no more smell.

Is it possible that something happened to the dryer during the hiatus? Like that maybe there is a breach of some inside fitting, a gasket, valve or igniter? Should I call my gas company to see if they can detect a leak? Again, when the valve at the outlet is off, everything is fine so I know it's not the pipe leading to it.

Answer 1

This statement concerns me:

The plumbing hasn't changed much except that I had taken off but then reinstalled (with yellow Teflon tape) the 2' appliance connector.

Per the instructions appliance connector hoses and fitting are single-use. Simply put: you need to buy a new appliance connector.

Additionally, no pipe dope nor teflon tape is to be use on flared (tapered) connections. Do not apply pipe dope nor tape to the threads as it can make its way to the flare surface and prevent proper compression.

The male flare is designed to compress against the female flare to produce a gas tight seal. The threads are not gas tight by design because they need you to be able to compress the flare to a specific torque.

The flare metal is usually soft enough to allow microscopic deformation. These connections are single-use so once a flare has been tightened once you need a new flare connector; both male and female.

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From the proverbial horse's mouth:

DO NOT reuse the gas connector or fittings. The connector, fittings and valve are designed for use on original installation only. Removal of connector and additional handling may have damaged connector making it unsafe for reuse.

From the Safety precautions section of https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/ea/ea7dc718-95fd-4033-b680-3a9d0c17db69.pdf

Product:

1/2 in. MIP x 1/2 in. MIP x 48 in. Gas Connector (1/2 in. OD) w/Safety+Plus2 Thermal Excess Flow Valve (60,500 BTU)

Answer 2

Repeating the comments : Your gas line connection is probably a flare fitting and using any type of pipe dope is a big = deadly , mistake. Flare connections are metal to metal and anything in the joint interferes with the seal. I once consulted on a home fire where there were two deaths; I was called to evaluate the flex tube metallurgy . It was pretty easy ,there was still pipe dope ( not teflon tape although it is the same problem) on the flare connections.