CO2 problem

[Richie71]

I've just replaced my co2 from a 5kg fire extinguisher to a 2kg fire extinguisher (dip tube still intact). I gave it a blast to see if it works but the gas is coming out from between the two handles.  I checked the regulator and all seems fine. Has anyone else had this issue before?   

[Gugs44]

Seen this problem by someone else on another post and they sorted it, have a browse around it's def here

[Richie71]

Thanks Gugs.  I saw this thread http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=7820.0 where the regulator froze and caused a similar leak.  One of the suggestions was to turn the bottle upside down.  My problem is slightly different, I haven't even put it in the fridge yet so I don't think it due to freezing. 

[Gugs44]

That could be the one I seen, sorry bout that, I got myself a 5kg FE during the week but dip tube removed as don't want liquid co2 going into keg but tbh I'm only starting kegging myself

[Richie71]

No worries, I'm at it around 18 months myself but saying that I've only changed bottles 3 or 4 times now. This is the 1st without the dip tube removed so maybe there's something in that.  I know others have used them w/o removing it so I was hoping there was something simple I missed.

[Gugs44]

Might mail for some advice when I rack into them in a few weeks

[auralabuse]

The freezing can happen outside the fridge.  As the c02 leaves the extinguisher it causes any moisture in the regulator to freeze. 

[Covey]

Liquid Co2 is -78c as it leaves the cyclinder that's why puting it upside-down takes the has which is not as cold AFAIK

[Covey]

Ok might not be -78 but get liquid co2 in your reg can damage it

[Richie71]

I tried it upside down last night and again just there this morning but the gas is still coming out through the handle of the bottle.  Maybe it's an issue with this particular bottle (Just hope I haven't done any permanent damage to the regulator  )

[Will_D]

It sounds like the valve stem seal is leaking.

The stem seal stops the gas from leaking past the stem when you depress the stem with the handles.

Look at a garden tap and you will see the tap stem passes throgh a hex headed adjsutable gland. This stops the water leaking up the stem!.

CO2 valves on a Fex should also have a small hex nut that you should be able to tighten.

If this doesn't work then the valve is faulty and needs replacing

[mcgrath]

No worries, I'm at it around 18 months myself but saying that I've only changed bottles 3 or 4 times now.

Maybe I'm wrong, but that sounds like a lot of gas in 18 months. Could you have any other leaks?

[Covey]

Take off the reg take the cylinder outside and give it a blast if the same thing happens it could be the reg...sounds dodge tbh and a leak of c02 in the house could be very dangerous.

[Richie71]

No worries, I'm at it around 18 months myself but saying that I've only changed bottles 3 or 4 times now.

Maybe I'm wrong, but that sounds like a lot of gas in 18 months. Could you have any other leaks?

Yeah, had a leak in the first one and lost a lot of gas. Got about 4 months from the 2nd 2kg bottle and the one previous to this lasted about 11 months so I'm happy enough that it's not leaking now. 

[Richie71]

I put the collar thingy back on and took it outside to give it a blast and the same thing happened.  Plenty of gas coming out the right end but it's still coming out through the handle too.