C02 leak?

[paulmaybee]

I'd like some help with triage from some more experienced keggers.

I seem to have a C02 leak in my setup (brand new kegs and C02 tank from OBK).  I filled the C02 August 14th, and by the 20th, it was completely empty.  I've now added the little grey washer between the tank and the regulator, and I'm not sure if that sealed the leak, or if that is where the leak is coming from.  I filled the tank again yesterday and the tank went from 700psi down to 500 in the first few hours, and is holding steady there.

Is there anywhere else it may be leaking?  How can I find and stop the leak?

[Fhilo]

Grrr.  I have the same issue. Still haven't found the issue. I just keep my co2 off until I serve

[Two Wheeler]

I'd say the washer was the big issue for you Paul.

Also, the pressure will drop when the tank gets cold, so if it's 700 at room temp I think it's reasonable that it would hold at 500 at fridge temps.

Keg Lube is another must have, I put it on all of my o-rings every time I clean a keg. It's a pain in the ass to wash off your hands or anything that it touches, but really helps. I use a q-tip to apply and it helps keep it off your hands.

A spray bottle of starsan helps chase leaks, as it bubbles easily

[JamesC]

You could mix a dish detergent solution into a spray bottle and spray all of your connections with it. If there's a leak, it'll bubble.

[blisster]

The StarSan solution in a spray bottle is probably your best bet short of the process of elimination replacements or plunging everything in a barrel of water.

Spray around all the connectors and around your keg posts/lids. I'd make the solution with a slightly higher concentration or StarSan than normally recommended to help the foaming.

Like Jordan said, keg lub is a must and Teflon tape of course.

Good luck..  I had a slow leak on one of my keg's out post. Thankfully that one was easy to spot after all the mess it made after a few days.

[paulmaybee]

Thanks for all the input. I was concerned that it went down to 500 so quickly, esp after losing an entire canister.  It seems to be holding steady at 500, and I'll keep an eye on it.  I'll try the starsan trick too, and I guess it'll be good to switch it off when I'm not serving just in case the leak is on the keg side of the manifold.  Thanks!

[chrismccull]

Buy a bottle of snoop you'll find the leak.

[paulmaybee]

I tried the soap in a spray bottle trick and BINGO!  No more leak.

[blisster]

Where was the leak?

[paulmaybee]

It was just after the regulator.  Turns out I had forgotten to put teflon tape in that one place.