Auto siphon leaks air

[Maylar]

I have a mini auto siphon for my 1 gallon jugs and it's drawing in air around the seal between the tube and cane. Anybody know if the seals are replaceable, or do I have to fork out $10 for a new siphon?

TIA

 

[raouliii]

Not sure about a replacement seal but I always store my auto siphon in two separate pieces. The seal can retain its shape if left in the tube for storage. I also lube it by dipping the end in starsan solution before inserting.

Here's the manufacturer's site.

 

[beergolf]

I had one that did that. just take. turkey baster and shoot a little wort down the tube above the seal. Works like a charm

 

[ba-brewer]

I quit using the auto function of my auto-siphon for that reason. I just use the inner tube now and a pipette to start a siphon without putting my mouth on the tube.

Putting some keg lube on the rubber piece seem like it would keep the rubber from drying out and keep it flexible.

If you are able to start the auto siphon but later see air bubbles in the tube that could just be co2 coming out of solution. I think this might of been my real issue.

 

[DogSlobber]

I bought an auto-siphon about one year ago and it took me two or three brews to figure out the kinks. After making a couple adjustments, even with the small leak at the seal I haven't had any more problems.

The first issue was I think similar to your experience and I had a very difficult time starting the siphon. In fact i mostly ended up "pumping" it to move beer which aerated the crap out of it! To fix this, I tried simply pinching the tubing near the racking cane with my fingers while pulling it to full extension before releasing the pinch and plunging to make sure I filled the tube almost completely. This has worked perfectly every time since then, even if air gets past the seal on the pull-out.

The second issue was that the tubing was oversized and I had a very hard time keeping the flow due to air collecting at the tubing connection. Ideally the tubing inner diameter should match the inner diameter of the siphon cane.

I honestly almost threw mine out after the first couple brews, but after trying these, I bought the mini version in addition to the 1/2 inch I already had!

I hope this helps in your case and good luck!

 

[flars]

Can be different reasons for a poor seal between the racking cane and tubing.

The tubing may be the wrong size. If the racking cane diameter is three eighths inches OD, the tubing should be five sixteenths ID, for a tight fit

Tubing left in cleaning or sanitizing solutions can harden. Tubing needs to be replaced.

Tubing, that is the correct size, can stretch through normal use and become oval at the end. Cut an inch off the end.

Hope this helps.

edit: Read the original post wrong. Oops.

 

[Maylar]

Thanks for the replies. The manufacturer actually lists replacement seals, but shipping from Canada to the US would be cost prohibitive. And my local HBS is too small to carry stuff like that. Even Northern Brewer doesn't sell spare parts.

I've used this siphon for a couple years now and it's just started sucking in air at the seal. I'll try putting lube on it and also putting some must down the tube on top of the seal. Good ideas, thanks.

 

[brew_darrymore]

Mine leaks air as well, and the solution is what beergolf suggested. Once you start siphoning, pour some wort to the tube above the seal.