CO2 Regulator Leak HELP!!!!

General Homebrew Discussion
1

Hi there,
My boyfriend recently bought an EdgeStar Slim Kegerator KC2000 and when opening up the CO2 tank to let it flow to the keg, we noticed very loud wind sounds coming from the CO2 regulator. We obviously assume that this means there is a leak. When feeling around for the leaking site we felt it coming from a random nut on the side of the pressure regulator. This nut does not connect to anything and we have not been able to loosen it or tighten it. We have no idea what is going on.

Please help us!!

I have been trying to attach the picture but for some reason I can’t figure out how to.

2

Sounds like a bad regulator.  Send the regulator back.

Got to use Photobucket or such for pics here.

3

Make sure there is a O ring on the part where the regulator connects to the tank… Could be that.

4

Yeah the directions when setting up the regulator said there was one installed in it so I assumed it was in there?

5

Yeah thats what I was thinking but when we called the manufacturer they didn’t help us at all. And how exactly could I post pictures from photo bucket?

6

Copy the ‘direct link’ for the pic(s) from Photobucket, then click ‘reply’ on this thread. Next click on the icon on the bottom row, second from left (hover over it and it says ‘Insert Image’). Paste the pic link between the brackets and hit post.

7

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Ah hah! I got it! So this is the nut that the gas is leaking from

8

It won’t tighten at all ?  One of my regulators leaked from there when I bought it. I tightened it and stopped the leak.

9

Doesn’t look like there’s any Teflon tape on that bolt. If you can get it out I’d tape it and try again.

FWIW, I just replaced my 2-gauge version of that same regulator due to a leak. Haven’t had a chance the exact cause said leak yet though. It’s little enough that it doesn’t hiss.

10

So if we can get it off, we should wrap teflon tape around the threading and then try and screw it back in?

11

That’s what I would start with. That’s the port for the optional second gauge, and I’m not sure why there’s no tape on the threads.

That is on the high pressure side of the regulator though, so I’d take the bottle off the reg before doing ANYTHING to that bolt.

I’d also wait for someone to corroborate my theory. High pressure gasses are no laughing matter.

12

We tried for a couple hours to get it off, we thought that someone might’ve put it in crooked and got it stuck. But maybe we will try again

13

Okay, thank you so much for your help

14

Close the cylinder, bleed the line, remove the regulator from the tank. See if that port isn’t just loose or incorrectly threaded. Gas regulators/manifolds “shouldn’t” require teflon tape and it’s actually bad practice to use it generally but if the threads are that poorly machined that you aren’t getting gas-tight fits, that’s your only option. Also check that the gasket between the regulator and tank is in good condition.

15

Another thought, and I am not a plumber, make sure the teflon tape you use is gas rated. No experience, but I have seen the different tapes at the depot: some for water, some for gas. I would assume there is a reason and a specific purpose for both, but again, just an assumption
edit: quick google search shows that water tape can be used for gas applications, but may not hold back what gas tape will due to the difference in density of gasses versus liquid. Not sure if its causing your problem, but it may be