Am I troubleshooting this CO2 leak properly?

[kombat]

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.

Press on it. It will click. Now try and turn it.

That's what he means.

 

[brewprint]

I see.

I've never had it move.

 

[Firewalker11]

I too lost a whole tank of gas a few months back and found it was the ball lock posts. YMMV

 

[Osborne]

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!

When you push in the knob, it locks it into place. You have to pull out to be able to adjust it.

 

[Osborne]

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

Alright good to hear!

 

[Osborne]

I too lost a whole tank of gas a few months back and found it was the ball lock posts. YMMV

This is what I'm scared of, but luckily "I think" I got it narrowed down to the hose leading to the 3 way distributor.

 

[Osborne]

I picked up a bottle of Mr. Bubbles earlier today!!!

 

[Osborne]

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!

I was planning on just putting it in a bowl, and brushing it on.

 

[Osborne]

I have a taprite and 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)

Alright just checking, thanks for the info regarding this.

 

[Osborne]

Well I cranked up the PSI to 40, and brushed the Mr. Bubbles around all the connections; I still can't find the leak. I even used my cell phone light to get up real close to look for any movement/bubbles.

So far the regulator itself is holding pressure, it's when I open up the valve that goes from the regulator to the air distributor that I have the issues. I'm going to try leaving it open one more time though.

 

[Osborne]

Edit: May have spoke too soon. One of the worm clamps was kinda loose, I re-cut the line and screwed it on tight, now I'll see if it holds pressure. it's the one that attaches directly to the air distributor input. If this holds, I'm going to order a oetiker clamp, and maybe a swivel nut to go along with it.

 

[brewprint]

So did you lose your CO2?

 

[Osborne]

So did you lose your CO2?

Yes, what was pressurized in the system, hopefully now that I refit and tightened the air distributor input it will hold... If not then I'm completely out of ideas.

Worm clamps are crap.

 

[Osborne]

Well it's still leaking... Only valves I had open is where it exits the regulator and enters the air distributor.

I'm probably going to start bottling whatever is left in my kegs next week, and begin disassembling.

 

[brewprint]

Dang man...that sucks. Not sure at this point why you're having an issue. The only thing I can think of is where the valve on the tank goes into the tank. You have to dip the tank in water to check that.

 

[day_trippr]

Well it's still leaking... Only valves I had open is where it exits the regulator and enters the air distributor.

There were FOUR leaks in this assembly that had to be fixed before the bubbles ceased poppin'...

Cheers!

 

[Osborne]

Dang man...that sucks. Not sure at this point why you're having an issue. The only thing I can think of is where the valve on the tank goes into the tank. You have to dip the tank in water to check that.

The regulator holds pressure. I guess in a last ditch effort I can go get a Rubbermaid container and submerge everything.

 

[Osborne]

View attachment 342368

There were FOUR leaks in this assembly that had to be fixed before the bubbles ceased poppin'...

Cheers!

I'll try this in the upcoming days.

 

[brewprint]

The regulator holds pressure. I guess in a last ditch effort I can go get a Rubbermaid container and submerge everything.

The regulator can still hold pressure and the tank itself be leaking. The leak from the main tank is steady to give the regulator pressure.

Check the tank.

 

[Osborne]

The regulator can still hold pressure and the tank itself be leaking. The leak from the main tank is steady to give the regulator pressure.

Check the tank.

During my pressure testing, I turn the regulator completely off to see if the PSI needle holds, or hits zero.

 

[brewprint]

During my pressure testing, I turn the regulator completely off to see if the PSI needle holds, or hits zero.

What I'm saying is disconnect the regulator. Then submerge the top of the tank.

There's a youtube video that I watched once where that is the only way to find a leak on the tank itself.

Sounds like you checked everything else.

 

[Osborne]

What I'm saying is disconnect the regulator. Then submerge the top of the tank.

There's a youtube video that I watched once where that is the only way to find a leak on the tank itself.

Sounds like you checked everything else.

I'll be sure try that still, but I exchange my tanks...Only choice at AirGas.

 

[Firewalker11]

I'll be sure try that still, but I exchange my tanks...Only choice at AirGas.

Doesn't your LHBS do exchanges too?

 

[kev211]

I'll be sure try that still, but I exchange my tanks...Only choice at AirGas.

Ive stopped using AirGas because the ones near me could bankrupt a person with their CO2 prices (I use my LHBS now). That being said, when I did use AirGas, I never swapped tanks. I have a nice shiny new tank and didnt want to swap it for a used one. Theyll fill them for you, but usually you have to leave the tank. But if you're nice to them, sometimes theyll do it on the spot.

On another note, I never understood why I had to leave my tank for 2 days for them to do a 30 second job. But thats neither here nor there.

 

[Morrey]

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.

Awesome tip! Mr Bubble has a sticking agent in it that will work best of anything to find leaks!! CO2 lines for sure and I also used it to find a puncture in a 4 wheeler tire that was giving me a fit.

 

[Osborne]

Doesn't your LHBS do exchanges too?

I live in Eastern, Kentucky. People here slam Bud Light, and Natural Light while hooting and hollering with a hand on their sister.

Good news is, we do have a quite good restaurant with a great craft selection. Happy hour is $2.00-$2.50 for a 20 ounce pour. $2.50 for DuClaw, Deschutes, New Belgium, etc, etc, etc, yes please!!! I guess they do got to do it in order for it not to sit till the end of time.

 

[Osborne]

Ive stopped using AirGas because the ones near me could bankrupt a person with their CO2 prices (I use my LHBS now). That being said, when I did use AirGas, I never swapped tanks. I have a nice shiny new tank and didnt want to swap it for a used one. Theyll fill them for you, but usually you have to leave the tank. But if you're nice to them, sometimes theyll do it on the spot.

On another note, I never understood why I had to leave my tank for 2 days for them to do a 30 second job. But thats neither here nor there.

I asked, they don't fill at this specific location

 

[Osborne]

Awesome tip! Mr Bubble has a sticking agent in it that will work best of anything to find leaks!! CO2 lines for sure and I also used it to find a puncture in a 4 wheeler tire that was giving me a fit.

I may have to give it another shot, but I feel better at just dipping everything in a container of water and looking for bubbles.

 

[brewprint]

I may have to give it another shot, but I feel better at just dipping everything in a container of water and looking for bubbles.

You can't go wrong doing this.

 

[jcav]

+1 on dunking it in water, it will bubble if there is a leak. Also here is a video on trouble shooting your gas line and regulator if you want to take a look. [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP-YOJYV4FU[/ame]


John