Leaking inflator unit

[String]

Anyone got suggestions for how to fix a leak coming from the join between the LP hose and the inflator unit on a BC ?

Ive changed the 4 hose times and it still bubbles a lot so im assuming its not the hose at fault.

I unscrewed the nipple/thread thing to look at it and the O-ring in there seems fine and cant see anything obviously wrong at all with the connection yet it leaks quite badly. I suppose its not impossible the metal itself has been bashed slightly so isnt sealing properly but i cant tell visually.


Im getting sick of people asking me "do you know somethings leaking" when kitting up..

Its a Mares BCD if it matters but i suspect inflators are more standard.

Failing that has anyone got a source of new inflator units (not particulary fussed on any brand as long as it'll fit on my jacket) so i can replace this as it is getting gradually worse and worse and is in danger of moving on from inconvenient to more serious.

I dont want to spend TOO much as i hate the BC in so many different ways so aim to get rid of it soon probably in favour of a wing setup but after wading through several hundred "what wing" posts on here ive got no idea what to look for so want this thing working for at least a little while longer

[Darren A]

My OMS jobby did exactly the same thing. Took it to my LDS (Deep Dive in Luton) - they said it would be best to take the inflator to pieces first and have a look before flogging me a new hose, as it may have been unneccessary.

Arthur then took the inflator nipple off and checked the O ring (as you did) but before screwing it back up he smeared it with "gunk" (Hope it was O2 clean Gunk!) screwed it all back together, and hey presto, no bubbles. Sorry, can't tell you what it was he put on it - sure someone else will know.

Great service, and all it cost me was a "thank you"!

Cheers

Darren

[String]

Ive done the "smear in gunk" when i had it apart (although this was bog standard silicone grease gunk). Result was gunk on hose but still bubbles.

Its odd in that its not where the nipple thing connects to the inflator, its the hose-side of the screw but isnt the hose itself - i can alter the speed of bubble flow though by twisting the hose on the connector.

The inflator unit itself appears to be a glued sealed unit leaving me with little scope for fiddling further.

[Darren A]

Originally Posted by String

silicone grease gunk

Thats the stuff Sorry it didn't work.

[Twinsetmad]

Try some PTFE tape first,,,plumbers tape for everything. Its cheap and easy to renew and you can still take the thing to bits if you need to.

[intothebigblue]

What Mares BCD is it? I may have an exploded diagram of the inflator unit kicking around in my 'Useful Dive Documents' folder...

[Rod]

Originally Posted by String

Its odd in that its not where the nipple thing connects to the inflator, its the hose-side of the screw but isnt the hose itself - i can alter the speed of bubble flow though by twisting the hose on the connector.

The inflator unit itself appears to be a glued sealed unit leaving me with little scope for fiddling further.

It sounds like the O ring in the hose connector. If you have changed the hose for a completely new one then try cleaning the nipple that it fits over. Sometimes you get a build up of small bits of salt and stuff that prevent it sealing.

[andy_chesney]

Originally Posted by String

Anyone got suggestions for how to fix a leak coming from the join between the LP hose and the inflator unit on a BC ?

Ive changed the 4 hose times and it still bubbles a lot so im assuming its not the hose at fault.

I unscrewed the nipple/thread thing to look at it and the O-ring in there seems fine and cant see anything obviously wrong at all with the connection yet it leaks quite badly. I suppose its not impossible the metal itself has been bashed slightly so isnt sealing properly but i cant tell visually.


Im getting sick of people asking me "do you know somethings leaking" when kitting up..

Its a Mares BCD if it matters but i suspect inflators are more standard.

Failing that has anyone got a source of new inflator units (not particulary fussed on any brand as long as it'll fit on my jacket) so i can replace this as it is getting gradually worse and worse and is in danger of moving on from inconvenient to more serious.

I dont want to spend TOO much as i hate the BC in so many different ways so aim to get rid of it soon probably in favour of a wing setup but after wading through several hundred "what wing" posts on here ive got no idea what to look for so want this thing working for at least a little while longer

get a bowl of hot soapy water hotter enough not to scold yourself put the inflator in this and work the buttons. 9/10 times its dried salt from what the cd rep told me which you won't get rid of by just rinsing with cold water

hth

andy

[String]

Its a Mares Vector Chrome BCD.

Ive had it in the pool for near 2hrs (30c water albeit chlorinated) and it leaks in there even after fiddling with the buttons. The kit has also been soaked for around 12 hours in warm bath water and still does it so i dont think its salt crystals causing the issue.

The O-ring ive removed and replaced/greased and it seems absolutely fine as well. Looking at the fitting, the O-ring appears to be inside the inflator unit not outside where the bubbles originate.

[Rod]

Originally Posted by String

Its a Mares Vector Chrome BCD.

The O-ring ive removed and replaced/greased and it seems absolutely fine as well. Looking at the fitting, the O-ring appears to be inside the inflator unit not outside where the bubbles originate.

There is an O ring in the metal part of the low pressure inflator hose just above the 3 ball bearings as you look up into it. If this is worn/dry/tempramental then the hose will leak out of the end where it joins the BCD inflator.