12 replies to this topic

[djinkc]

Lost a 20# tank over the weekend.  First leak in a very long time.  First guess is one of the "permanent" brass/rubber o-ring gaskets that you screw in with an Allen wrench.  Looks like I got a little aggressive last time swapped tanks and damaged the o-ring.  Guess it was good since that tank was about 3 weeks from recertifying and another 10# need a fill.

 

I have about 40' of new CO2 line to replace what I have now.  Would have sucked if the leak started after that and I had to check every connection.

 

Guess I was due,

[SchwanzBrewer]

Good catch.

[djinkc]

Good catch.

 

We shall see in the morning.  Sprayed down corny lids and the tank connection. No bubbles.  At least our local place for refills is reasonable.  $31 for a 10 and 20.  Out in five minutes today.

[djinkc]

Crud - down to 125 psi.  Trying to localize it by turning valves on one by one before I tear it down to replace all the hoses.

[gnef]

This is why I have an inherent distrust of gas systems. It has happened to me too often that I was able to get it leak free, but then 1-3 years later, a leak develops, and the only way I know is that I have an empty tank. After the second or so time this happened to me, I always shut off the tank valve. This has the added benefit of constantly doing a leak check, as I can see if the high pressure gauge has dropped any, and it gives me an indication of the health of the gas system.

[djinkc]

This is why I have an inherent distrust of gas systems. It has happened to me too often that I was able to get it leak free, but then 1-3 years later, a leak develops, and the only way I know is that I have an empty tank. After the second or so time this happened to me, I always shut off the tank valve. This has the added benefit of constantly doing a leak check, as I can see if the high pressure gauge has dropped any, and it gives me an indication of the health of the gas system.

I hear you but I don't want to do it that way.  I have around 25 - 30 clamped connections, manifolds and a dual regulator.  Lots of places that can leak, but probably about 10% of what you have.  I'm pressurizing one valve at a time on a 5# and shutting off the gas when pressurized.  I'll find it.

 

Then all the gas lines get replaced.  It's been a long time since I lost a tank.

[djinkc]

Found it.  Intermittent failure of a gas QD.  Dunked them all a few days ago but found it going one line at a time.

 

Pressurizing one line at a time and then closing the tank valve worked well without blowing another tank.

[3rd party JKor]

Where was it failing?

[djinkc]

Where was it failing?

The valve wasn't sealing when disconnected from a keg.  Same QD didn't leak a couple days ago when I dunked it.

[3rd party JKor]

Ah.  So it was a disconnected gas QD.  Interesting.

 

Was there something in the valve seat?  I've had that happen with liquid QDs, of course there's all manner of gunk passing through a liquid QD so it's not that surprising.

[djinkc]

Ah.  So it was a disconnected gas QD.  Interesting.

 

Was there something in the valve seat?  I've had that happen with liquid QDs, of course there's all manner of gunk passing through a liquid QD so it's not that surprising.

 

I don't know what the problem was yet.  Probably tomorrow all the QDs and manifolds get torn down for a PBW soak and SS soak.  And replace the hoses.  That setup has to be around 10 years old.

[positiveContact]

I still have a manifold or regulator or something that leaks on my 5lb tank.  I just turn the tank off all the time now.  how much CO2 does the regulator hold?  not much right?

[HVB]

I think this thread was a jinx,  I went down to grab a beer last night and the tank was flat ... grrrr