No beer, only CO2 out of the tap?

JuanMoore · Mar 21, 2012

After watching the video I retract my earlier statement. The issue is definitely not with the keg, since as lombard pointed out, your sanitizer keg isn't working correctly either. There should only be sputtering and hissing from the faucet if the keg is empty, and there shouldn't be any bubbling sound when the gas is connected to the keg (well, unless the keg is upside down). I know you said earlier that you're sure you have the gas line connected to the port in the side of the coupler and the beer line connected to the top of the coupler, but are you absolutely positive? The reason I ask is that it looks and sounds from the video like you have them hooked up backwards. If you do indeed have them hooked up correctly, then the only explanation is an issue with your coupler. It could be broken, faulty, or the wrong type.

RidingDonkeys · Mar 21, 2012

My coupler has engraved markings for each line, and I've checked them about fifty times now, so they are indeed correct.

I've checked for leaks in the system and haven't been able to find any. I originally had a leak in the tower, but I completely replaced that tower with a new one that came with the system.

I'm contemplating redoing all the lines in the kegerator just as a sanity check. this think came plumbed already, but the lines do show some wear. As far as materials go, I don't really know what "right" is. Anything I ought to know before I go shopping?

Just to clarify, the current configuration has a blue line going to a valve on the side of the kegerator. That has two outputs, one of which is currently closed. The other has one clear line that hits a "T" fitting and separates into two lines which are both connected to sanke couuplers.

Ultimately I would like to run four taps so I have a good selection come party time.

JuanMoore · Mar 21, 2012

Are you sure you're using a type D coupler and not a type S? The highland keg should be a type D, and so should the miller keg you have sanitizer in. A type S coupler will fit on a D keg, but since the stem is longer and more narrow it won't function properly. When you bought the kegerator were there stickers or posters or bar mats branded with Heineken, Stella, St Pauli, Newcastle, Murphys, Youngs, Becks, or Amstel? That might be a clue that it's a type S coupler. If it is a type D, how do the seals look on the underside? If the rubber seals (particularly the inner one) are cracked, chipped, or deformed it can cause problems like this. It looks like a micromatic coupler, in which case replacement seals are cheap and easy to find. Do you have any other couplers you can try?

Edit: I just noticed what looks like a Newcastle tap handle in the pics. Did that come with the kegerator?

KurtB · Mar 21, 2012

Without knowing which hose is connected to the CO2 tank, it is hard to confirm that the lines really are hooked up correctly. It sure sounds like they are backwards.

From your description and what I can see in the video, the blue line is running from your CO2 tank to a two way distrubutor. From one leg of the distributor, there is a line running to a T splitter, and both legs of the splitter, are connected to a couple of Sanke couplers. Is this correct?

Are you also saying that the line from the T splitter is connected to the Gas IN port (side connector)?

It would be hard to believe that both of your kegs are bad, but they would have to be in order to get the results that you are getting. It almost seems like your keg of sanitizer was simply foaming up enought due to the CO2 bubling through the liquid to get sucked through the gas tube.

Can you try bypassing all of the extra distributors & T connectors, and simply go straight from the CO2 regulator to the coupler, and from the coupler to a faucet? That will let you narrow down the problem as you slowly add back in the additional pieces.

Could it also be as simple as bad seals on the couplers? I don't really know that much about Sankey couplers to know how many seals are involved, and what sort of problems they can cause.

JRems · Mar 21, 2012

The only constant here is the coupler. It's most likely a ruptured seal/o ring inside. When you push the handle of the coupler down it not only let's the beer up but let's the co2 in. If the seal is broken the co2 is going right back out. You can buy all the o rings fir the coupler for a couple bucks. Or just get a new coupler. I have a few that I just replaced the seals on if you want one

RidingDonkeys · Mar 21, 2012

JRems said:
The only constant here is the coupler. It's most likely a ruptured seal/o ring inside. When you push the handle of the coupler down it not only let's the beer up but let's the co2 in. If the seal is broken the co2 is going right back out. You can buy all the o rings fir the coupler for a couple bucks. Or just get a new coupler. I have a few that I just replaced the seals on if you want one

BUZINGA!

That got me thinking. The first time I hooked the sanitizer keg up to that tap, it ran great. Then the new keg didn't work. Then the sanitizer keg worked on the other tower, but the spout was a little leaky.

So I made the video, and the sanitizer keg worked a little, but not great.

Then your post got me thinking, I never put the new keg on the other coupler. As soon as I disconnected the coupler from the new keg I saw the problem. Anybody see something wrong here?

Yep, I'm missing a seal. It was dry and fell out after I disconnected the first keg. It was sitting in the back of the kegerator. I just swapped out the couplers and now I'm drinking cold beer.

Thanks for all the help along the way. You guys rock!