Need help troublshooting keg problem

[HB_ATL73]

In short, the liquid line seems to be clogged in some way. I have tried many options with no success. Ive run gas through the liquid line, taken the post off and made sure the post and dip tube was clear, shaken/positioned the keg to make sure there was no hop material settled to the bottom, and connected a hose from another keg to make sure the issue wasnt somewhere in the line or tap. Does anyone have any advice so I can save this keg?

Appreciate any help!

 

[grampamark]

Did you remove the poppet from the liquid post? There isn't much space in there and just a bit of trub or hop debris can cause a clog.

 

[IslandLizard]

Is this the first time you use that keg?
Is it a brand new one?

Does it use 'universal poppets?' Those have a pyramidal spring, which is often a bit too long.

When you solved the issue, just re-purge the headspace 5-10x at 20-30 psi to remove most air/oxygen from it.

 

[pigroaster]

I agree about poppet springs being too long. I also purge out my poppets after each keg with a syringe and star san. I cut, with a box cutter, slits in end of plastic syringe so the star san goes sideways when you push down on the poppet valve. Look at the spring and only a half turn of spring will do the trick. Best to have spares on hand so you can do a quick switch out! Keep us in the loop.

 

[HB_ATL73]

Did you remove the poppet from the liquid post

grampamark yes I removed the poppet twice and ensured that it was clean from any debris- unless each time I reconnected it and tried running the line it got clogged again.

Is this the first time you use that keg?

This is a semi- new keg its the one seen here- https://www.homebrewing.org/AIH-New...ping&msclkid=1f80fe054db415b7af49a2c979d18ff4
I have used it 3 times already with no trouble- and each time between kegs I have not taken the post off to clean I just left it attached so there should have not been an issue with the poppet/spring. I believe it has a universal poppet. Do you suggest trying a shorter spring? Thanks IslandLizard

Look at the spring and only a half turn of spring will do the trick

Pigroaster, can you clarify what you mean?

 

[pvpeacock]

If there is a lot of trub/hop debris in the bottom of the keg, you may have to cut your dip tube shorter. I did that to the kegs I use for hoppier beers or those I naturally carbonated in the keg. Now I use floating dip tubes from Williams Brewing. They work great

 

[HB_ATL73]

If there is a lot of trub/hop debris in the bottom of the keg, you may have to cut your dip tube shorter.

Thanks for the advice- Ive inverted the keg and even shaken the keg to potentially mix up any settled debris and that did not work either. I figured that could be a solution to test whether the problem was coming from settled debris. I will have to try cutting the dip tube if no other solution works- what do you recommend? 1inch?

 

[IslandLizard]

This is a semi- new keg its the one seen here- https://www.homebrewing.org/AIH-New...ping&msclkid=1f80fe054db415b7af49a2c979d18ff4
I have used it 3 times already with no trouble- and each time between kegs I have not taken the post off to clean I just left it attached so there should have not been an issue with the poppet/spring. I believe it has a universal poppet. Do you suggest trying a shorter spring? Thanks IslandLizard

If the spring in the post is too long, the QD's poppet/spring can't push it down, thus restricting or blocking flow. But if it all worked fine before, that can't be the issue.
Some people have cut the bottom turn off the cone-shaped universal poppet inside the keg's post, so it can be compressed easier. It's the balance of those 2 springs that opens the passage.
Universal poppets are easy to spot. They consist of 2 parts, a cone-shaped spring and a loose poppet. All original keg poppets are integral with their spring, they stay together. There are a (small) variety of models though.

I would definitely take the poppet and spring out of the post and inspect for debris. Just push the poppet out with a nailset, or a narrow screwdriver.

 

[pvpeacock]

I cut mine by a quarter inch or so.

 

[IslandLizard]

Have you checked your shank and faucet? Narrow down to the area where the clog is.

Yesterday at our Big Brew event, one of the taps just wouldn't pour. It turned out the shank was totally clogged with old hop/beer junk, so was the faucet. Using a faucet brush cleared the shank, then the faucet wouldn't quite seal, kept dripping, so we stuck a new faucet on it.

BTW, I'm very hesitant on cutting dip tubes.

 

[HB_ATL73]

Have you checked your shank and faucet? Narrow down to the area where the clog is.

Yesterday at our Big Brew event, one of the taps just wouldn't pour. It turned out the shank was totally clogged with old hop/beer junk, so was the faucet. Using a faucet brush cleared the shank, then the faucet wouldn't quite seal, kept dripping, so we stuck a new faucet on it.

BTW, I'm very hesitant on cutting dip tubes.

I know the shank and faucet is clear i hooked up the line to another keg and it ran fine. And thanks for the advice on the universal poppet

 

[Beardless]

I had a similar issue once with a session IPA. As others noted- hop material was clogging the poppet in the post. I cleaned it out, tried and had similar issues. When I took the liquid post back off it had more junk in it. Read some things and ended up taking the dip tube out, cleaning it out, cutting 1/2” off and slightly bending the tube to be more toward the center of the keg bottom (keg has a recessed area at the bottom, making the dip tube have even more clearance). I made sure all the parts were sanitized and re-assembled correctly and haven’t had an issue since.

Short of changing out the post/poppet all together if you have an empty/spare keg, not sure what else to recommend. Good luck!