CO2 Leak?!? Please help!

[Ware]

I think I must have a CO2 leak in my system. I have a 1/6 barrel and a slim 1/4 (D-couplers) on a wye'd Taprite regulator. I'm barely into my 2nd and 3rd kegs on this fill and my 5lb tank reads completely empty on the gauge. Unfortunately, I can't get it filled until Monday. Should I untap the kegs? Or will it matter since I'm already at zero PSIG? I'm new to this, so please forgive my ignorance. Thanks in advance!

 

[tally350z]

If your tank is empty not much you can do but leave it until you get the tank refilled. You can either leave it hooked up or just unhook it. After you get it filled, get some soapy water and check for leaks. I had a leak on mine the first time I kegged and it was cause I didn't have clamps on the hoses..

 

[b-boy]

re-tighten everything in the kegerator - then tighten them some more.

 

[troyh]

Make sure you put Teflon tape on all threads.

 

[thargrav]

Teflon tape on all threads is bad advice.

The nut & stem fitting that connects to the tank is designed to seal with a face seal and adding teflon tape to the CO2 tank threads can cause a leak if any tape gets into the face seal.

The beer nuts that attach to the keg couplers and beer shanks are designed to seal with flat neoprene washers and adding teflon tape there can also cause leaks if the tape gets into the fittings.

If your system has any flare (tapered thread) fittings then teflon tape will also make them leak.

The only place you sould be applying teflon tape is tapered pipe threads. And in a typical kegerator the only tapered pipe threads are the gauge, stem and outlet fittings that are screwed into the regulator.

 

[mpcluever]

Teflon tape on all threads is bad advice.

Everything thargrav said.

It's a bit more difficult by the gauge, but submersing joints in water and watching for bubbles is the ultimate test. When I did it, I found the big leak I was looking for and 3 other really small leaks.