Another keg that won't seal $#@&%!!!

[Yesfan]

Yes, exactly. Hopefully that's what Yesfan meant to say. But this is definitely the case.

(or the disconnect, etc. but not the dip tube or its o-ring)

Nope, I thought it was the diptube o-ring when I last posted. Thanks for the clarification. This is good news if you guys think it's the gas post o-ring. Should be a simple fix.

I bought a bunch of orings for my dip tubes and post back when I started brewing. Someone here posted the Oring sizes from McMaster Carr for kegs, so I bought a bunch of spares. I'll swap the gas post out.

The keg hasn't lost pressure since my last post. In fact, it may have gained 1psi since then. Worst case scenario is for me to remember to unplug the disconnect if there's still a leak if nothing improves.

You all don't know how much I appreciate your help and patience in all this. Wish me luck.

 

[hgearle]

After kegging my beer this week and pressurizing to 30psi to seal, the next day there was beer on the floor. It turns out the liquid out-post fitting was loose. I usually tighten down the fittings pretty good, but I gave them both a good hard bang with a wrench and the leak stopped.

So, change all gaskets with new, then make sure everything is properly tightened. Consider using keg lube on the rubber fittings.

 

[Dland]

When working with old kegs, including ones that have just been "refurbished", it is good to test pressurize with air or Co2 to check seals, before adding beer.

A pressure gauge on gas post is easy to set up, and can later be used to measure keg pressure for D rest activity, spunding, etc. It is a simple step, easy to do, and can save aggravation.

 

[tracer bullet]

So, change all gaskets with new, then make sure everything is properly tightened. Consider using keg lube on the rubber fittings.

And, in my case at least, make sure the posts aren't bottoming out on the keg itself, feeling like they are tight, when they really haven't compressed the o-rings very much at all.

When the o-ring is working properly (meaning all the other parts are as well), you can almost get away with finger tight. I don't suggest it, but am trying to say it takes very little wrench force to compress the o-ring and have it seal. I will of course wrench it down, but you definitely don't need to go to the point where it's difficult to turn any further.

(I'm not saying you did this BTW just seemed like a thing to mention, that I think is related)

 

[Yesfan]

And, in my case at least, make sure the posts aren't bottoming out on the keg itself, feeling like they are tight, when they really haven't compressed the o-rings very much at all.

When the o-ring is working properly (meaning all the other parts are as well), you can almost get away with finger tight. I don't suggest it, but am trying to say it takes very little wrench force to compress the o-ring and have it seal. I will of course wrench it down, but you definitely don't need to go to the point where it's difficult to turn any further.

(I'm not saying you did this BTW just seemed like a thing to mention, that I think is related)

In your case with the posts bottoming out, do you think it's a good idea to double up on the dip tube o-ring?

 

[tracer bullet]

In your case with the posts bottoming out, do you think it's a good idea to double up on the dip tube o-ring?

I don't see how that would help. I ended up machining the posts down on a lathe, and later buying new ones that were shorter and better to start with. I linked a thread earlier I made trying to figure out how to extend a post. I ultimately didn't do it but did show some pictures and info on how this stuff fits together.

 

[mac_1103]

In your case with the posts bottoming out, do you think it's a good idea to double up on the dip tube o-ring?

It's been hit or miss for me. Worked perfectly a time or two, but still bottomed out one time, and couldn't get the post on another time.

 

[pvtpublic]

So, why don't you submerge them in the tub, or spray everything with starsan/soapy water? You'll find your leak real quick

 

[Yesfan]

I don't see how that would help. I ended up machining the posts down on a lathe, and later buying new ones that were shorter and better to start with. I linked a thread earlier I made trying to figure out how to extend a post. I ultimately didn't do it but did show some pictures and info on how this stuff fits together.

Do you have a link to the shorter ones? What would I look for if I have to go that route?

 

[tracer bullet]

I got my replacements from Brew Hardware:

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/ballpostgas1932.htm
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/ballpostliquid1932.htm
I guess they aren't technically shorter, but the threads aren't cut as deep as my earlier fittings, resulting in the same effect where they don't bottom out. The shape inside too, where the O-ring lands, is also different than my earlier fittings, and there's more "flat" for them to hit. When you screw the Brew Hardware fittings in place you can actually feel the O-ring contacting them slightly, even before any tightening occurs. And when the O-ring compresses it his a flat area, not just threads.

When I say "earlier fittings" I'm talking generic fittings form Amazon, the universal replacements. I ditched every last one of them. I've got the Brew Hardware fitting son everything now. These are the ones I mentioned are working properly for me across the board and even just finger tight creates a seal. When you wrench them into place you don't have to go until they can't be turned anymore, somethign just past snug is plenty.

 

[Yesfan]

I got my replacements from Brew Hardware:

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/ballpostgas1932.htm
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/ballpostliquid1932.htm
I guess they aren't technically shorter, but the threads aren't cut as deep as my earlier fittings, resulting in the same effect where they don't bottom out. The shape inside too, where the O-ring lands, is also different than my earlier fittings, and there's more "flat" for them to hit. When you screw the Brew Hardware fittings in place you can actually feel the O-ring contacting them slightly, even before any tightening occurs. And when the O-ring compresses it his a flat area, not just threads.

When I say "earlier fittings" I'm talking generic fittings form Amazon, the universal replacements. I ditched every last one of them. I've got the Brew Hardware fittings on everything now. These are the ones I mentioned are working properly for me across the board and even just finger tight creates a seal. When you wrench them into place you don't have to go until they can't be turned anymore, something just past snug is plenty.

Thanks! There's some other things I want to get from Bobby so I'll add those to my order.

EDIT: Order placed.