Beverage post leaking

[Relampago]

I put a new beer in one of my kegs last night and started to carbit at 10. When I checked it this am there were bebbles around the post. I tried to tighten it with a wrench but it is still leaking. I have used this keg before with no problems. What else can be done to stop the leak?

 

[JuanMoore]

Where exactly are the bubbles coming from? Turn the gas off, relieve the pressure, and take the post off. Check the poppet, diptube o-ring, and post o-ring. You may need to replace one of the o-rings or the poppet. Sometimes a little hop particle will get wedged in between the poppet and the post causing a leak.

 

[Relampago]

It is leaking right at the base between the rubber and the post. I just left the house but I disconnected the gas. I will remove the post tonight and see what I get. Thanks

 

[onthekeg]

If its leaking off the top, its a poppet. If its leaking off the threads, its an 0-ring. I have never replaced a poppet, usually it needs to be unscrewed and reseated. Sounds like is a diptube o-ring giving you happiness there.

 

[JuanMoore]

Yep, sounds like you need to replace the diptube o-ring. I bought 100 packs of diptube and post o-rings from McMaster, and I replace them on every keg I aquire whether they look like they need it or not.

 

[KCBigDog]

I'm having the same problem. Mine is one of the plastic dip tubes. I've replaced the poppet, both o-rings, and the plastic dip tube.

Still leaks!

 

[JuanMoore]

I'm having the same problem. Mine is one of the plastic dip tubes. I've replaced the poppet, both o-rings, and the plastic dip tube.

Still leaks!

Where is it leaking from? Are you sure you're using the correct poppet for that post?

 

[KCBigDog]

Where is it leaking from? Are you sure you're using the correct poppet for that post?

It's actually leaking from the base of the gas in post. I've been skeptical about that keg since I got it. The plastic dip tube that came on it was orange and quite warped. I replaced that and the poppet with parts from Austin Home Brew.

 

[JuanMoore]

If it's leaking from the base and you've replaced the diptube and o-ring, my guess is that the poppet is too long for the post, and isn't letting it tighten down fully. If you're not sure what type of poppet that post takes, you could try one of the universal ones that just has the tapered spring and no feet.

 

[KCBigDog]

If it's leaking from the base and you've replaced the diptube and o-ring, my guess is that the poppet is too long for the post, and isn't letting it tighten down fully. If you're not sure what type of poppet that post takes, you could try one of the universal ones that just has the tapered spring and no feet.

I just tried the old dip tube with a lot of keg lube. Still no luck. It almost seems like the leak is coming from under the rubber at the base of the post. I certainly can't figure it out. Don't think it's the poppet because it leaked with the original poppet also.

I might take it into my LHBS and see what they think.

 

[JuanMoore]

I just tried the old dip tube with a lot of keg lube. Still no luck. It almost seems like the leak is coming from under the rubber at the base of the post. I certainly can't figure it out. Don't think it's the poppet because it leaked with the original poppet also.

I might take it into my LHBS and see what they think.

I think you misunderstood me. What I'm saying is that the poppet might be too long and isn't letting you tighten the post down onto the diptube fully and compress the o-ring. This would cause a leak at the diptube o-ring just like you're describing. How did you determine what type of poppet to buy for it? Used kegs often don't have all of the original parts, and posts, poppets, diptubes, etc. get mixed up between kegs all the time. It's very possible that the poppet that was on the keg when you got it was the wrong type/length for the post, and you just replaced it with another one that's also the wrong size.

 

[KCBigDog]

I think you misunderstood me. What I'm saying is that the poppet might be too long and isn't letting you tighten the post down onto the diptube fully and compress the o-ring. This would cause a leak at the diptube o-ring just like you're describing. How did you determine what type of poppet to buy for it? Used kegs often don't have all of the original parts, and posts, poppets, diptubes, etc. get mixed up between kegs all the time. It's very possible that the poppet that was on the keg when you got it was the wrong type/length for the post, and you just replaced it with another one that's also the wrong size.

I ordered the parts based on what is stamped on the keg. Challenger IV I believe.

 

[JuanMoore]

I ordered the parts based on what is stamped on the keg. Challenger IV I believe.

That doesn't always work out since the poppet needs to match the post, and the post may or may not be the same style as originally came on the keg. If it's a Challenger IV, then AFAIK the only posts that would require a shorter poppet wouldn't thread on to the keg, so the post and poppet probably do match. Are there any scratches or nicks in the post where it mates with the diptube?

 

[KCBigDog]

That doesn't always work out since the poppet needs to match the post, and the post may or may not be the same style as originally came on the keg. If it's a Challenger IV, then AFAIK the only posts that would require a shorter poppet wouldn't thread on to the keg, so the post and poppet probably do match. Are there any scratches or nicks in the post where it mates with the diptube?

Everything looks fine, except for the crazy plastic dip tube. I think that might be the problem. I ordered a replacement plastic one from AHS, but it is a bit larger than the orange one. Might be a lost cause.

 

[COLDbreak]

I was told that a little bit of foodgrade lubricant dose the trick...it should be avaliable at your local brew supply store....i havent tried yet but it sounds feasible!! i had the same problem and those poppets are kinda expensive to replace...they are like 5:00 dollars a piece.