Regulator Leak...Or Am I Crazy? (pics)

[ThreeRatBastards]

Yes this is another "am I leaking CO2?" thread. I acquired a kegerator in Sept. It came with a single gauge regulator, hooked it up, there seemed to be no leaks. CO2 tank lasted a good month and a half. I got a new dual gauge regulator with 2 gas connections for my birthday last week. I hooked it up, and much to my dismay it drained the CO2 tank and there was a leak present.

I filled up the tank, ran soapy water all over every connection and found a leak at the point circled below:

So looks like a busted regulator, bummer have to ship it back I guess. Then I reattached the old regulator that seemed fine before, soaped it up and found a leak in the same spot:

What gives? Am I crazy, or is this a common spot for leaks and something acceptable?

 

[Ace_Club]

I don't know about a common spot for leaks. However, when I received my brand new regulator from the homebrew store, the connections were not gas-tight. I found I had to disassemble it, add some additional teflon tape and then tighten up all the connections. Only then did I find I had a leak-free regulator setup.

 

[devilishprune]

As far as I know you can unscrew that part and tape it up. That should solve your problem. I had no end of issues with my regulator until I taped the crap out of it.

 

[ArtVandelay]

I had a similar problem with my new regulator right out of the box even though it was apparently leak tested. Unscrewed the two pieces and wrapped threads with about 5 wraps of teflon tape. Be sure to wrap tape only on threads and don't overlap the mouth or the tape can potentially break off and get trapped in the regulator. Then wrench it back together. I think I ended up getting mine to turn one whole extra turn. leak free ever since.

 

[ThreeRatBastards]

Is there any trick to getting these things off? I have a pair of vise grips on them and I am actually a pretty strong guy...they aren't budging.

 

[SweetSounds]

Typically the high pressure side of a regulator is a left-hand thread - You're tightening them

 

[devilishprune]

You just have to brute force it. Be careful with the gauges and stuff though; I accidentally broke one of the nipples when I was trying to tighten mine.