Am I troubleshooting this CO2 leak properly?

[Osborne]

I've got a Taprite regulator going to a 3 way air distributor. Basically what I'm doing at the moment is leaving all the gas line connections unplugged from the kegs, closing all the valves, and pressurizing the regulator to 10 PSI, every day I'm going to open a new valve if there's no change in pressure and re-pressurize etc.

 

[kev211]

Thats an option, but have you tried pressurizing all of the lines and spraying the connections down with a starsan solution? Then all you have to do is look for bubbles. Have you checked the seals on your kegs? Are you using keg lube?

If it were me I would start with the starsan and look for bubbles

 

[jammin]

If you suspect a leak, turn everything on and hook everything up.

Get yourself a squirt bottle and mix up a light soapy water solution.

Mist down the whole your system starting at your co2 bottle all the way to your quick connect on the keg.

You will get foam or bubbles at any leak point

 

[Osborne]

Thats an option, but have you tried pressurizing all of the lines and spraying the connections down with a starsan solution? Then all you have to do is look for bubbles. Have you checked the seals on your kegs? Are you using keg lube?

If it were me I would start with the starsan and look for bubbles

I've tried this multiple times, I have a suspicion that it's a very slow leak. Two of the kegs were already fully carbed before this tank, with the third keg thats waiting to be tapped force carbed with the current tank. I had this CO2 tank for about 3 months and haven't even finished off a single keg with it yet before it ran out, I just got around earlier this week exchanging it for a full one.

 

[Osborne]

If you suspect a leak, turn everything on and hook everything up.

Get yourself a squirt bottle and mix up a light soapy water solution.

Mist down the whole your system starting at your co2 bottle all the way to your quick connect on the keg.

You will get foam or bubbles at any leak point

I've tried this and tightened everything down, check my post above for more info.

I have a suspicion it may be a Keg poppet, its just such a insanely slow leak, unless I happened to jostle something a bit too much to cause it by me gently lifting my keg a little bit to see how much is left.

 

[kev211]

I've tried this multiple times, I have a suspicion that it's a very slow leak. Two of the kegs were already fully carbed before this tank, with the third keg thats waiting to be tapped force carbed with the current tank. I had this CO2 tank for about 3 months and haven't even finished off a single keg with it yet before it ran out, I just got around earlier this week exchanging it for a full one.

Have you tried the shutoff knobs/levers on the regulator and distributor? I lost a full fill due to a bad valve once.

Also, I dont know if you are using keg lube or not, but I had issues with leaks because I was putting too much lube on the main o-ring. I havent had a leak since I switched to just a thin film.

Just a few thoughts/ideas

 

[kearney]

I had a problem leak that did not show when using soapy water (no bubbles). I used a small piece of hose and placed it at my ear and then checked each of the connection points. Make sure you're in a quiet room. Good luck!

 

[jammin]

I've tried this and tightened everything down, check my post above for more info.

I have a suspicion it may be a Keg poppet, its just such a insanely slow leak, unless I happened to jostle something a bit too much to cause it by me gently lifting my keg a little bit to see how much is left.

Doesn't matter how slow the leak is, soapy water will find it. I work in the natural gas industry and find leaks every day. It works. You might need to wait 20 minutes though before the leak shows itself

 

[jammin]

I had a problem leak that did not show when using soapy water (no bubbles). I used a small piece of hose and placed it at my ear and then checked each of the connection points. Make sure you're in a quiet room. Good luck!

There is something wrong with your process if you can hear the leak but can't detect it with soapy water

 

[Osborne]

Doesn't matter how slow the leak is, soapy water will find it. I work in the natural gas industry and find leaks every day. It works. You might need to wait 20 minutes though before the leak shows itself

Alright I'll try it again, next time i'll bring down a good light. Part of my problem may be I'm in a dim basement trying to look.

What if its under the ball lock disconnect?

 

[Osborne]

Have you tried the shutoff knobs/levers on the regulator and distributor? I lost a full fill due to a bad valve once.

Also, I dont know if you are using keg lube or not, but I had issues with leaks because I was putting too much lube on the main o-ring. I havent had a leak since I switched to just a thin film.

Just a few thoughts/ideas

I'll double check both your suggestions. I have use lube on every time, even new seals/orings. I use it sparingly though so I don't know it may be a possibility... I'll watch out for it.

 

[jammin]

Alright I'll try it again, next time i'll bring down a good light. Part of my problem may be I'm in a dim basement trying to look.

What if its under the ball lock disconnect?

it will still show. i wish i could give you a good recipe for proper soap concentration but i get issued special soap for leak detection.

obviously you dont want it so concentrated the bubbles created when spraying are really thick, but you want it strong enough that it has some staying power.

some of the older technicians i work with swear by a brush and thats how they apply their soap.. so thats another tool you can consider.

you'll find it - i promise!

 

[TennBrewer]

Yeah, I had one of those leaks, too. Couldn't track it down even spraying with StarSan and soap. I filled a 30 Gallon trash barrel with water and submerged the hose assembly, 5# tank too, keep the regulator out of the water, though. Sure 'nuff there was a tiny trail of bubbles around one of the hose clamps on the cross tee. Just to make sure the poppets were ok, I submerged the tanks and they were ok.

 

[TennBrewer]

PS. I replaced all of the hose connections after trimming about inch off each hose. Used brand new Oetiker clamps, works great.

 

[kev211]

it will still show. i wish i could give you a good recipe for proper soap concentration but i get issued special soap for leak detection.

obviously you dont want it so concentrated the bubbles created when spraying are really thick, but you want it strong enough that it has some staying power.

some of the older technicians i work with swear by a brush and thats how they apply their soap.. so thats another tool you can consider.

you'll find it - i promise!

Thats a good point. Ive gotten so frustrated with the spray bottle making bubbles before that I used a spoon to dump tiny amounts of starsan solution at all the connections

 

[Osborne]

it will still show. i wish i could give you a good recipe for proper soap concentration but i get issued special soap for leak detection.

obviously you dont want it so concentrated the bubbles created when spraying are really thick, but you want it strong enough that it has some staying power.

some of the older technicians i work with swear by a brush and thats how they apply their soap.. so thats another tool you can consider.

you'll find it - i promise!

What PSI do you recommend I set it to? I have some cooking brushes with rubber brissels, and one smaller one that should be perfect. I was just thinking of using one! I'll try to research some soap concentrations when I get time. I've been so busy, and missing beer I'll be thrilled to find the leak.

I appreciate your help, and everyone elses!

 

[Osborne]

Yeah, I had one of those leaks, too. Couldn't track it down even spraying with StarSan and soap. I filled a 30 Gallon trash barrel with water and submerged the hose assembly, 5# tank too, keep the regulator out of the water, though. Sure 'nuff there was a tiny trail of bubbles around one of the hose clamps on the cross tee. Just to make sure the poppets were ok, I submerged the tanks and they were ok.

I've been dreading doing this but if it comes to it I will.

I just feel odd about submerging kegs full of beer.

 

[brewprint]

I've tried this and tightened everything down, check my post above for more info.

I have a suspicion it may be a Keg poppet, its just such a insanely slow leak, unless I happened to jostle something a bit too much to cause it by me gently lifting my keg a little bit to see how much is left.

Just tightening down doesn't matter. It has to be sealed. Once I had to put tape and pipe dope and tighten the HE double hockey stick out of it to get it to seal.

I suggest using Mr. Bubble to look for leaks. Starsan will work but not near as well. When you see a big bubble forming you'll find the leak. Use dish detergent at the least.

 

[jcav]

Also someone else had a similar problem on another thread. If I remember correctly their particular issue was resolved when they opened up the Co2 tank's main valve all the way open. It seems the person only had the main valve on the tank partially open, and that causes the main valve stem to not hold a seal and leak. Something to check on.

John

 

[Osborne]

Just tightening down doesn't matter. It has to be sealed. Once I had to put tape and pipe dope and tighten the HE double hockey stick out of it to get it to seal.

I suggest using Mr. Bubble to look for leaks. Starsan will work but not near as well. When you see a big bubble forming you'll find the leak. Use dish detergent at the least.

I'll check Wal-Mart for the Mr. Bubble. I had to Google it, I haven't seen that stuff since I was a kid. If I can't find it I'll use dish detergent.

 

[jammin]

What PSI do you recommend I set it to?

excellent point. if it were me, id crank to at least 40psi. that will expedite the process enormously

 

[Osborne]

Also someone else had a similar problem on another thread. If I remember correctly their particular issue was resolved when they opened up the Co2 tank's main valve all the way open. It seems the person only had the main valve on the tank partially open, and that causes the main valve stem to not hold a seal and leak. Something to check on.

John

This is a possibility that I could've missed on the last tank, thanks for the suggestion. I'll be sure its always fully open.

 

[Osborne]

excellent point. if it were me, id crank to at least 40psi. that will expedite the process enormously

Got it! Awesome, thanks.

 

[brewprint]

I'll check Wal-Mart for the Mr. Bubble. I had to Google it, I haven't seen that stuff since I was a kid. If I can't find it I'll use dish detergent.

Anything besides star san. IMO I don't quite understand how people are having success with that with small leaks. It just cannot bubble like a heavy detergent or mr. bubble.

If you don't have the mr. bubble use dawn or something like that. My wife happens to use mr. bubble so I had some around.

 

[jammin]

Anything besides starsan. mr. bubble use dawn or something like that. My wife happens to use mr. bubble so I had some around.

Perfect!!!

 

[brewprint]

I know it may sound bad but; Mr bubble fixed all my leaks

 

[kev211]

Anything besides star san. IMO I don't quite understand how people are having success with that with small leaks. It just cannot bubble like a heavy detergent or mr. bubble.

If you don't have the mr. bubble use dawn or something like that. My wife happens to use mr. bubble so I had some around.

I like starsan because I don't have to deal with a soapy residue on my equipment AND starsan bubbles like a mofo. It's almost painful how much this stuff bubbles haha. But I'm sure Mr bubbles is a good option too (and I bet it smells nice too!). Those are just why I like starsan. Cheers!

 

[Osborne]

I never lock down my Taprite regulators knob in place after adjusting the PSI, could this be the issue?

Still haven't been able to pick up any Mr. Bubble yet I may go later tonight to get it.

 

[kev211]

I never lock down my Taprite regulators knob in place after adjusting the PSI, could this be the issue?

I never lock the knob down. And Ive never had a leak with it (knock on wood). I would say that the lock nut is more there to prevent user error (accidentally turning the adjuster knob by something pushing up against it, etc).

Edit: Forgot taprites dont have a lock nut, but rather a press feature. Either way... I dont think it really matters

 

[brewprint]

I never lock down my Taprite regulators knob in place after adjusting the PSI, could this be the issue?

Still haven't been able to pick up any Mr. Bubble yet I may go later tonight to get it.

Lock it down? I'm not sure what this even means. Mine has a red knob on it that I just change the pressure with and leave it.

One thing to keep in mind with the Mr. Bubble. I had some in a spray bottle and after it say for a while there was mold inside. So when you're done just dump it and rinse. Hopefully you won't have to use it again!