Troubleshooting Leaking Duotight Flow Control QDs

[seatazzz]

I have duotights and evabarrier on both the gas and liquid sides of my kegerator, and also on my 5lb co2 tank. Probably was noted above, but when seating the tubing go slooooooow, and twist it a little bit until it pops in. Another small trick I use is holding back the little dohickey that you push in to release the tubing, while inserting it (I fortunatley have small fingers). It does sound like the one that won't seat could be defective.

 

[sweets17]

The only way I can get them to fully seat is by applying keg lube with a cotton swab on both inner rings, cutting the tubing at a slight angle, applying lube to the tube and brute strength. Seems to work.

 

[IslandLizard]

Another thought... After cutting the tubing is it possible the end is not perfectly round anymore, causing some of the bad fitting issues?
IMO, there's no way to cut it without compressing it somewhat.

BTW, I haven't switched to the EVA tubing, yet, but will in the near future (been saying that for over a year already).

 

[beren]

It also leaves perfect amount of space to put in plastic retainer/locking clip, make sure tubing can’t pop out accidentally.

Is this a problem? I can’t easily get the tubing out even with a tool lol.

 

[noahbanks]

I when to my LHBS and picked up a 1/4” flare to 8mm Duotight fitting. I used one of my regular ball lock QDs and I was able to get the keg set up really quickly and easily, leak-free. I think Duotight is super cool and that the flow control QD is just not very good. I think it’s an o-ring issue.

MoreBeer is sending me one more replacement flow control QD to try out. I will check the o-rings on that new one to see what they look like before I try inserting any line.

 

[SanPancho]

Is this a problem? I can’t easily get the tubing out even with a tool lol.

It doesn’t happen alot, but when it does it’s pretty disastrous, at least on the liquid side. Clips are cheap insurance.

 

[Yesfan]

I have duotights and evabarrier on both the gas and liquid sides of my kegerator, and also on my 5lb co2 tank. Probably was noted above, but when seating the tubing go slooooooow, and twist it a little bit until it pops in. Another small trick I use is holding back the little dohickey that you push in to release the tubing, while inserting it (I fortunatley have small fingers). It does sound like the one that won't seat could be defective.

Agreed. I have the same FC QD and had the same issue with the tubing not going in all the way. A slight twist with continual pushing and you feel it pop in place. The other fittings aren't this way and go in a lot easier.

 

[odie]

well...swapped some kegs this weekend and changed out another 10ft line to a shortly with flow control...

yep, looking at the flow control QD there is indeed a mark for fully seated...and all of mine were not fully seated. but were not leaking either.

The only way I could get the lines to fully seat was to use keg lube and even then, I still had to use lots of force to get it past the second o-ring.

very frustrating to say the least...

 

[IslandLizard]

I bought four of them but they only seem to fit one of my kegs. The balls don't seem to be "locking" when you push down on it so it's just leaking beer all over. Not sure if there's an adjustment or something? I've never had a problem with the standard beverage "black" discos on any of the keg posts so this is kindof a new problem.

Are you pushing them down far enough?

Are you pulling the collar up before pushing them on, then releasing it once the QD is down on the post?
Be sure hear or feel the click when it engages.

What brand are they? Chinese manufacture can be very much hit & miss, often due to crappy manufacturing and lack of QC.
I only get CMB brand QDs, the name is stamped around the top flange.

 

[Deadalus]

Another minor adjustment to consider when inserting is that besides the occasional off-90 degree face cut on the end of the tubing, the tubing itself generally curves along the length of the piece due to being rolled up when stored. Sometimes spinning the tubing or the fitting uncatches the tubing and gets it fully inserted. To me it feels like sometimes the tubing catches on an o-ring and the force is downward some due to the curvature of the tubing.

@xuledywo you are talking about a Duotight FC QD correct? Raise the ring like @IslandLizard mentions with one hand and and give a firm push even gentle strike with the fleshy part of your palm straight down on the screwtop. The tolerance on these is likely tight to begin with as I have found that to be the case for the regular Duotight QDs. I have like 8 of those and several have been tough to get on. I got frustrated because they are smaller, lower profile and hard to push straight down so I smacked it last time I was connecting and it clicked right on. I am hoping over time they will loosen up some.