Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Can't find leak in regulator  (Read 2281 times)

Offline kramerog

  • Brewmaster General
  • *******
  • Posts: 2262
    • My LinkedIn page
Can't find leak in regulator
« on: November 29, 2012, 12:32:25 pm »
If I open and shut my CO2 bottle really quick with the valve downstream of the regulator closed, the dispense gauge will shoot up to 15 psi or whatever my dispense pressure is and over then minute or so the pressure will drop to zero.  I've squirted Star San solution over various fittings of the regulator but can't find a leak.  What's my next step?

Offline Jimmy K

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3643
  • Delaware
Re: Can't find leak in regulator
« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2012, 12:41:51 pm »
How tightly is the regulator attached to the tank? Did you use a wrench? 
 
Is there a gasket between the regulator and tank? Some regulators have a nylon gasket attached, others need a separate gasket, but it shouldn't be metal/metal.
 
 
Delmarva United Homebrewers - President by inverse coup - former president ousted himself.
AHA Member since 2006
BJCP Certified: B0958

Offline Slowbrew

  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • ********
  • Posts: 2857
  • The Slowly Losing IT Brewery in Urbandale, IA
Re: Can't find leak in regulator
« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2012, 12:44:36 pm »
How much do you trust the valve?  It may be bleeding through the downstream valve and the regulator is okay.

Paul
Where the heck are we going?  And what's with this hand basket?

Offline Pinski

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1943
  • Portland, Oregon
Re: Can't find leak in regulator
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2012, 01:24:36 pm »
How much do you trust the valve?  It may be bleeding through the downstream valve and the regulator is okay.

Paul

+1
Dip that downstream valve in some StarSan
Steve Carper
Green Dragon Brewers
Clubs: Oregon Brew Crew & Strange Brew
BJCP Certified

Offline kramerog

  • Brewmaster General
  • *******
  • Posts: 2262
    • My LinkedIn page
Leak is fixed!
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2013, 08:35:47 pm »
Following advice of a homebrewer at Praxair, I tightened a nut in the middle of the valve handle with a manual nut driver (if that is the right term, it looks like a screw driver) so I would avoid overtorquing it.  That sealed the leak.  I think the nut tightens the packing around the valve stem.  I think the leaky stem may have allowed some air in the gas line which caused my kegged beers to age really fast.