Help! CO2 regulator has a slow leak

[jrgilles]

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you knew if this was fixable.

See illustration for better idea of what is going on. The pencil is pointing to where the leak is.

Where the stem from the tank goes into the regulator, I have a leak. It isn't blasting out, but is an audible his. I confirmed it with soapy water. Is there a way to fix this? If it is too much to do at home, is it something Airgas can do? Or am I stuck buying a new regulator?

I do have a second regulator in the basement for homebrew, maybe I can attach the sulinoid to it and use that regulator?

Any advice would be helpful.

I was just changing the tank on my calcium reactor when I noticed this. Probably the reason my old tank went dead....

rob

 

[jrgilles]

No replies yet. That means no one has tried to fix a regulator?

 

[JPG@CFI]

Rob,

Is the stem threaded into the valve body? If it is, try disassembly and teflon tape it, and assemble. I don't have mine right infront of me, but you might want to take it to a larger welding supply shop and get a replacement valve body if that doesn't do the trick. Is it brand new? or have you used it before? Jason

 

[jrgilles]

I will take it off and try to remove the stem tonight. It kind of looked removable at first glance, but I will have to check.

It has been used for a number of years, so may be time to replace. Just a bit broke, so was hoping to salvage it

 

[returnofsid]

If threaded, teflon tape should fix it. If not, I've no idea. However, keep in mind that Co2, leaking into the home, is definitely not safe. You're probably already aware of this but figured I'd mention it, just in case.

 

[jrgilles]

I have the regulator unhooked from the CaRx now. It doesn't seem to want to twist out, but maybe I don't have the right tool.

I am talking to a guy from reef fanatic now (where the regulator came from.) I will see what he says, and if not have my wife take it down to praxair today to see what they have to say about it. Unfortunately, every regulator I have found online comes with a needle valve, bubble counter and regulator. Haven't found a place to purchase a replacement regulator yet without all the extra stuff that is still working.

rob

 

[Skimmy]

just replace it...
theyre only $150

...and a small leak of co2 like that isnt going to hurt anybody.

 

[jrgilles]

I would love to just replace it for $50, but haven't been able to find a source. Any ideas? All I need is the regulator part, as I already have a solenoid, needle valve, bubble counter, etc.

Just a regulator with the right attachment to put the solenoid assembly into.

I have hunted online, but all the regulators I find on any reef sites (which I have been looking at because I know the solenoid, etc. will fit into them) comes with way more parts than I want...

rob

 

[Skimmy]

well, if you have used it for years, and one part is failing,
it might just be a good idea to replace the entire unit.
and you wont find a decent one for less than $150,
and i would avoid a used solenoid/regulator.

 

[jrgilles]

I missread. Thought you said $50, not $150. I found plenty for $150. Would like to just replace the regulator assembly and not buy all the extra parts that the $150 comes with. Unfortunately gotta do it cheap somehow, as we have a newborn and wife quit her job. No cash, and losing money every month. >.< Only $150, but $150 I don't have