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BetterSense · 07-11-2012, 02:43 AM

My regulator keeps creeping up to like 20PSI over time. This is annoying. Is it hard to take apart and clean/rebuild a regulator? Are the parts standardized?

**Golddiggie** · 07-11-2012, 02:51 AM

How long have you had it and where did you get it? IF you got it new, and not more than a year ago, contact the reseller you purchased from. IF it's over a year old, or you got it used, then get a rebuild kit for the body brand. There are a couple of different body types (internal workings can be different). I think there is one 'universal' rebuild kit out there.

If all else fails, call Keg Connection with the regulator where you can get info from it and they should be able to set you up with the correct rebuild hardware. I would also check to see if your LHBS can help you out too.

I did have pretty much the same issue with a Chudnow regulator last year (bought from Keg Connection). I ended up returning it and using that refund towards a Taprite regulator (both were/are dual body). I've had much better results with the Taprite regulator. My other regulator (for standard tanks) also has a Taprite body. The guy I bought that from had to rebuild it since it had a different issue.

thargrav · 07-11-2012, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterSense

My regulator keeps creeping up to like 20PSI over time. This is annoying. Is it hard to take apart and clean/rebuild a regulator? Are the parts standardized?

Usually this is caused by a small piece of trash caught in the regulating element inside. This usually clears the problem.

1. Disconnect the hose from the regulator outlet
2. With the CO2 tank turned off, screw the regulator adjustment screw about half way in.
3. Quickly open & clost the CO2 tank valve on & off a few times.
4. Hook everything back up, adjust your regulator & watch. If it no longer creeps then you just blew out whatever was in the element.

BetterSense · 07-11-2012, 05:40 PM

I took the bonnet off the regulator last night and cleaned it all out. There was quite a bit of crud in there, but it didn't fix the creep problem. While I had the bonnet off, I gassed-up the regulator and found that the cartridge is leaking. I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to do that because having the bonnet off is like setting 0PSI, so the cartridge shouldn't pass any air. I can't see any way to get the cartridge apart to clean it or anything so I guess I will have to try to find a replacement.

the reg is a Norgren R82-200-ENEA.

BetterSense · 07-11-2012, 08:21 PM

I contacted the company and they said a new cartridge is $25 with a 2-week lead time. That's not for a rebuild kit, just the cartridge, so I can't see it being worth it. Maybe I will try soaking the cartridge in lighter fluid or something. It looks like I might have to junk it.

**tre9er** · 07-11-2012, 08:27 PM

I took mine apart completely, every single piece of it, and soaked in oxyclean an hour, then rinsed and re-assembled. Two regulators, both creeping, fixed after that.

I think they assemble them before the thread sealant has properly cured and/or some of the sealant/tape get's into the orifices and subsequently into the diaphragm. In both cases I was able to fix it by simply disassembling and cleaning.

BetterSense · 07-11-2012, 09:06 PM

When I take my reg's bonnet off, I can get at the spring, and the diaphragm. However, the thing that the center of the diaphragm hits against is like a little spring-loaded pin valve, that actually lets air out of the high-pressure side. It's built into a little cartridge that screws into the reg's brass body and seals with an oring, almost like a big valve core from a car tire. If I air the regulator up with the bonnet completely off, that pin valve leaks. I don't think it's supposed to pass any air unless you push on the pin, so I assume that's what's causing the creep. And I can unscrew it from the regulator body, but there's no way to get it apart. It seems to be assembled from the back, and then the back is crimped around some filter media.

I guess I can dremel the back off, and see what I find, since I have nothing to lose. I can't re-crimp it but maybe I can make a spacer to hold everything in. It's a really nice brass regulator, with a self-bleedoff feature for pressure reductions, but I can't see spending $25+ to fix it.

**tre9er** · 07-12-2012, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterSense

When I take my reg's bonnet off, I can get at the spring, and the diaphragm. However, the thing that the center of the diaphragm hits against is like a little spring-loaded pin valve, that actually lets air out of the high-pressure side. It's built into a little cartridge that screws into the reg's brass body and seals with an oring, almost like a big valve core from a car tire. If I air the regulator up with the bonnet completely off, that pin valve leaks. I don't think it's supposed to pass any air unless you push on the pin, so I assume that's what's causing the creep. And I can unscrew it from the regulator body, but there's no way to get it apart. It seems to be assembled from the back, and then the back is crimped around some filter media.

I guess I can dremel the back off, and see what I find, since I have nothing to lose. I can't re-crimp it but maybe I can make a spacer to hold everything in. It's a really nice brass regulator, with a self-bleedoff feature for pressure reductions, but I can't see spending $25+ to fix it.

Mine was not like this. It completely disassembled. The pin ran through a hex fitting down through the high pursue pass through.

**Golddiggie** · 07-12-2012, 01:26 AM

What make/brand is your regulator?? How about posting up some pics to show what you're talking about?

BetterSense · 07-12-2012, 03:06 AM

Quote:

the reg is a Norgren R82-200-ENEA.

I would post pictures but I'm kind of picture-challenged.

I took the cartrige thing out, dremel'd the crimp off the back and disassembled it. It came completely apart and I could see the teflon valve seat and valve. The valve seat was obviously just kind of worn. I cleaned it with paper towers and alcohol and reassembled it with a tiny amount of grease. It sort of press-fit back together, but the creep is actually worse now.

According to Norgren, the regulator is $75 new and a new cartridge is $25 which isn't a full rebuild kit, and doesn't include a diaphragm, but just the cartridge. If this is some super-good regulator, I guess it might be worth $25 to fix. I can buy a new reg for $40 but that's an off-brand, so I'm not sure what I will do. I will probably break out the paintball regulators again and try to make that work.