Leaking Corny Keg

[Morrey]

I recently purchased 3 ball lock kegs from a fellow who had bought a bulk of kegs from the Pepsi distributor. Pepsi had pressure tested the kegs to 130 psi, and the ones that "popped" at the welds were discarded.

I took off the posts, removed the poppets and relief poppet from lid, soaked in PBW, then installed all new gaskets, applied keg lube. I applied 20 psi CO2, listened for leaks, applied soapy water, all well. Removed gas.

A week later 2 of the 3 were pressurized, but one did not hold.

What is my next step? Buy new posts with poppets? New lid with new relief valve? All the above? Thanks for suggestion!!

 

[Jim311]

It depends on where it's leaking. But I bought a gasket set at the homebrew shop for 5 dollars that included a lid gasket and orings for the posts etc. I'd just replace them all. Actually I'm thinking that from now on I'll just start out with new orings every time I get a keg. I'd rather spend 5 dollars for orings than risk wasting all my CO2 and having flat and oxidized beer.

 

[Morrey]

It depends on where it's leaking. But I bought a gasket set at the homebrew shop for 5 dollars that included a lid gasket and orings for the posts etc. I'd just replace them all. Actually I'm thinking that from now on I'll just start out with new orings every time I get a keg. I'd rather spend 5 dollars for orings than risk wasting all my CO2 and having flat and oxidized beer.

Thanks, Jim. Yes the gaskets/O-rings are a natural place to start which is exactly what I did. My problem is that I don't know where the keg is leaking. Soapy water and star san sprays did not reveal any bubbling at all. No audible leaks either. If there was a pin hole along a weld, Pepsi would have found that in the 130 psi test since the tank would have popped open. I'm thinking replacing the poppets is next, but if I go that route, I may as well get a new lid and posts since the poppets will be installed as part of that package.

 

[Jim311]

Ah my fault, skimmed over the part of your post where you said you replaced o-rings already. One thing I saw is that you only used 20 PSI to seat the lid. You might try seating the lid at a little higher pressure, say 30 or 40 PSI. Also, are you using keg lube? That can help minimize those little pinhole leaks. Also do a leak test at higher PSI with soapy water technique to try and find those little pinhole leaks.

 

[mucci2k]

I have one keg that will seal at 30 psi and when you turn it down the lid starts to leak at serving pressure. I ran my finger around the underside of the lip and could feel a dent. Some times they cant be saved or aren't worth the hassle.

 

[Morrey]

I have one keg that will seal at 30 psi and when you turn it down the lid starts to leak at serving pressure. I ran my finger around the underside of the lip and could feel a dent. Some times they cant be saved or aren't worth the hassle.

I could continue to chase this leak until the cows come home and still never find it. Best thing (I think) is to simply buy a new lid and posts, replace and that should solve the issue. If not, I got some spare parts and move on.

 

[pvpeacock]

I bought oversized lid o-rings for one of my kegs that was leaking. worked like a charm.

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/OVERSIZE-KEG-LID-SEALING-O-RING-P58.aspx

 

[mucci2k]

I bought oversized lid o-rings for one of my kegs that was leaking. worked like a charm.

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/OVERSIZE-KEG-LID-SEALING-O-RING-P58.aspx

That is awesome.