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

Author Topic: leaking popits...  (Read 4784 times)

Offline wingnut

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 357
  • Plainwell MI
leaking popits...
« on: July 15, 2011, 08:16:50 pm »
I started keging a year ago... and for some reason , I am suddenly having issues with my poppits not sealing when I pull the liquid disconnect off of my pinlock kegs.  Is there are trick to pulling off the disconnects, or it is possible the poppits have gone bad? Any suggestions?  (The puddles in the bottom of my fridge is starting to get old!)

Thanks for the help!
-- Wingnut - Cheers!

Offline oscarvan

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1707
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2011, 09:00:26 pm »
Sometimes it helps to "excercise" the poppits. Take something pointy, and push them in, briskly and briefly......usually they will pop (excuse the pun) into obedience..... If they offer repeated problems....it's time to replace them.

Look on the side of your keg and figure out which model you have.... then go on line, or proceed to your LHBS and get new poppits. Remove connector stud.....(3/4" deep socket I think, or close thereto) and replace the poppit. It's not hard....just figure it out.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2011, 09:03:23 pm by oscarvan »
Wooden Shoe Brew Works (not a commercial operation) Bethlehem, PA
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/WSBW/WSBW_All_grain_Setup.html
I brew WITH style..... not necessarily TO style.....

Offline tom

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1109
  • Denver, CO
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2011, 09:36:43 am »
7/8" or the newer 11/16".

Each style of post needs its own poppet.  I learned to take apart only one keg at a time.
There is also a new "universal" poppet.  Anyone have experience with it?  http://stores.kegconnection.com/Categories.bok?category=*Parts%3AKeg+Parts%3APosts%2FPoppets%3APoppet+Valves%2C+Ball+Lock

Check the type of keg - usually stamped on its side.  Then review the different posts http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_3_260  and make sure you have the correct post and poppet.  If so, examine the top of the poppet for wear along the O-ring surface or the inside of the post for nicks and dings.  A little keg lube spray can seal it too. (Pull the pressure relief valve first.  Then press down on the poppet and give it a quick spray.)  Or just leave the disconnect in place!
« Last Edit: July 16, 2011, 02:33:37 pm by tom »
Brew on

Offline euge

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8017
  • Ego ceruisam ad bibere cervisiam
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2011, 11:59:04 am »
I use a little dab of olive oil instead of keg lube.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline oscarvan

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1707
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2011, 12:32:21 pm »
I use a little dab of olive oil instead of keg lube.

Although I like the organic idea, I would think that could get rancid and invite critters.......
Wooden Shoe Brew Works (not a commercial operation) Bethlehem, PA
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/WSBW/WSBW_All_grain_Setup.html
I brew WITH style..... not necessarily TO style.....

Offline euge

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8017
  • Ego ceruisam ad bibere cervisiam
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2011, 01:09:19 pm »
I use a little dab of olive oil instead of keg lube.

Although I like the organic idea, I would think that could get rancid and invite critters.......

In the kegerator? Nope.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline Will's Swill

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 359
  • Secretly likes wine...
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2011, 06:17:58 pm »
I use olive oil instead of keg lube as well, though I've been thinking of switching to keg lube.
Is that a counter-pressure bottle filler in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

Offline tschmidlin

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8198
  • Redmond, WA
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2011, 08:53:00 pm »
Try mineral oil if you like using oil.  It's food grade and won't go rancid.  Don't buy the pricey stuff they sell for treating your wooden cutting boards.  By the cheap stuff they sell as a laxative.  Same stuff, it just doesn't sound as appealing.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline bluesman

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8825
  • Delaware
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2011, 08:59:46 pm »
I use keg lube. It does the trick for me. After cleaning and sanitizing the keg, I apply a light coating to all the posts. Works evert time.
Ron Price

Offline wingnut

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 357
  • Plainwell MI
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2011, 10:58:44 am »
Cool...

So
1st, Exercise the poppits (Failed)
2nd Take the post apart clean, sanitize and apply keg lube...
3rd replace Poppit with popper poppit style.

My guess is that the poppit replacement will be necessary...after some work I removed the keg from the fridge (of course it was in the back...) and relieved the pressure and exercised it where I could observe it...it seems to keep "spring returning" slightly off center.  Took the post apart a few times to re-seat the poppit and it continues to have the same issue.  On inspection of the poppit to a known working one, the ears looked the same...so I do not think they are bent. 

So I shall replace the poppit and see if that fixes it... Do the posts ever wear out and become the issue?  (Just my paranoid mind working)

Thanks, for the help!

-- Wingnut - Cheers!

Offline euge

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8017
  • Ego ceruisam ad bibere cervisiam
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2011, 12:06:07 pm »
Yes the posts wear out. The poppit wears grooves in the mating surface of the post. This has been the common cause of leaks for many of my old kegs
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline roffenburger

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 179
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #11 on: July 18, 2011, 04:20:05 pm »
What's the advantage to using olive oil or mineral oil over keg lube?
Travis R.

Offline gordonstrong

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1355
    • BJCP
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2011, 05:37:53 pm »
What's the advantage to using olive oil or mineral oil over keg lube?

At least then you wouldn't have to aerate your beer.   ;D
Gordon Strong • Beavercreek, Ohio • AHA Member since 1997 • Twitter: GordonStrong

Offline jeffy

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4222
  • Tampa, Fl
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2011, 05:50:29 pm »
What's the advantage to using olive oil or mineral oil over keg lube?

At least then you wouldn't have to aerate your beer.   ;D
You do realize that only about 10 people on the forum get this joke?
Maybe you need some footnotes.
But then it probably wouldn't be a joke.

On the other hand mineral oil may have the same effect as 5.2 buffeting additive.
Jeff Gladish, Tampa (989.3, 175.1 Apparent Rennarian)
Homebrewing since 1990
AHA member since 1991, now a lifetime member
BJCP judge since 1995

Offline bluesman

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8825
  • Delaware
Re: leaking popits...
« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2011, 06:56:13 pm »
What's the advantage to using olive oil or mineral oil over keg lube?

At least then you wouldn't have to aerate your beer.   ;D

Good point Gordon.  ;D

Now that's funny.  ;)
Ron Price