C02 Tank Leaking from Knob.

[alecoholic]

I just started kegging. My first keg went fine, now I have a leak at the CO2 tank from the knob at the top of the tank (before the regulator). It is audibly hissing and you can feel wind from it leaking. It is not leaking from the connection to the regulator but from the knob itself. The first keg was put in my fridge but not the CO2 tank, I just hooked it up every day and topped it off with CO2. I just bought a 2nd fridge and put both the keg and the CO2 tank in there, now when I turn the CO2 tank on it's blowing out CO2. Did putting this in the fridge break it or do I have a defective tank? It's a five gallon tank, I've had for 3 weeks and carbed 2 kegs with and is now 75% empty.

 

[Golddiggie]

Are you sure the regulator is fully tight to the tank? Did you put a gasket between the valve and regulator? If the tank was new, or recently passed a hydro test, it should be fine. You can get the cheap gasket washers that you change often, or the ones that connect directly to the valve on the tank. Basically, you just don't want metal on metal at that connection. That way it forms a good seal.

Die you also get a wrench designed for the regulator nut or are you just using a regular one? Both will work, but it's nice having one hanging right on the regulator. Plus its thinner and bent so that it's easier to use.

 

[Bobby_M]

Do you have the valve opened all the way counter clockwise and tight?

 

[Seven]

Posting a photo of the leaking tank would help. Assuming it's not something simple like a missing gasket or loose connection...

It probably needs to be serviced or replaced. I'd shut it off and return it to your place of purchase (assuming it's still under warranty) for a replacement. If you need to ship it somewhere you should disconnect everything, place it outdoors, and open the valve just enough to slowly drain the tank before shipping. That way you don't ship a pressurized and possibly defective tank.

Another option may be to take it to a local C02 tank exchange/refill place and see if they will swap it out for a new tank.

 

[alecoholic]

Do you have the valve opened all the way counter clockwise and tight?

No, as soon as I started turning it, it was blowing a bunch of CO2 so I turned it back off. I kept cranking it towards the ON direction and it stopped when I hit the end. Looks like that was my problem. Thanks guys, now I don't have to bring this thing back in and look like an idiot.

 

[Bobby_M]

Cool, not all valves do this but I've read plenty of times that some stems are designed to seal in the full open position.

 

[mainebeersnob]

I have this exact situation. However when I turn the valve open 100%, it continued hissing. Any ideas?

 

[IslandLizard]

I have this exact situation. However when I turn the valve open 100%, it continued hissing. Any ideas?

Hissing from the valve stem, right? Not from the regulator connection?
Do you have the valve open all the way, until it stops turning in the top (fully open) position?

You could try to fully open then fully close the valve a few times, that may help set the stem packing (gasket). If it still leaks, and the tank isn't yours (swapped/exchanged for an empty one) return it to the place you got it from. They should take care of it.

 

[Bobby_M]

There's a nut UNDER the valve wheel that can be tightened. In some of the designs, it puts pressure on the packing and will help seal around the stem. In other designs, it won't help at all and the valve just needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

 

[lumpher]

I have this exact situation. However when I turn the valve open 100%, it continued hissing. Any ideas?

I just had that happen when I connected a new regulator a couple weeks ago. Quickly turned it off, and looked, and yep.. nylon gasket had fallen out of the connector. Make sure that's not your issue.