Have I got a leak or am I being a muppet??

[JAG]

Dear all,

Still in the process of configuring my new twinset, put both first stages on, my Scubapro Mk16 and a “borrowed” DST4 from a mate, both DIN. Turned the air on and heard a hissing, obviously an air leak from somewhere from the side with the DST4 on. Turned the air off, disconnected and reconnected. Turned the air on again, this time no hissing. Excellent I thought.

As a precaution, thought I would test the DST4 by making sure the isolator was turned off and charging the hoses. Turned the air on only on the DST4, (left post) 50 bar, turned the air off, and waited. Sure enough, within a couple of minutes the pressure starting falling, no hissing, but a leak somewhere. Disconnected the first stage and put it on my pony, thought it would be easier to stick the pony in the bath than the twins!, did exactly the same thing but no leak and the pressure didn’t drop. Disconnected and put on my 15L, first time I tried the pressure dropped again, so, disconnected again and reconnected, this time the pressure didn’t drop!

Tried the DST4 on the right post this time, pressure dropped. So I put the SPG on my MK 16 and went through the process again using first stage. On the left post it was fine, put it on the right post and the pressure dropped! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHH!!! No pressure drop on the 15L though.

Am I doing something stupid???

All the best,

Ian

[nmanfield]

No doubt I'm trying to teach you to suck eggs, but I've had a similar problem with DIN valves before, being used to A-clamp. Was so used to checking the O ring in the cylinder rather than on the DIN valve,

Regards,

Nick

[JAG]

Yep, checked and changed the O ring.

[Garf]

Stick the 1st stage on your pony and put it in the bath

[JAG]

Did that mate, doesn't leak!

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Garf

Stick the 1st stage on your pony and put it in the bath

Did that mate, didn't leak!
P.S. I want a webcam now!

[Padowan]

So it seems that the problem is related to the right post. Make sure that the threads are nice and clean, you can also mix up a dilute white vinegar solution and clean the threads out on the DIN fitting on the regs with a toothbrush, so that they screw in smoothly and easily - the vinegar will get rid of that white film on the threads. Also make sure that there are no bits of crud in the bottom of the DIN recepticle of the valve. You have changed the O-ring, but you can also try putting a thin smear of silicone grease (or O2 grease if you're using Nitrox and a bit rich and anal) on the o-ring to make sure that the seal is good.

I have had this with an Apeks DIN first stage before (on the YBOD), and the thin smear of lube and the clean threads sort it out.
One final question - was the twinset (or the valves and manifold at least) new, or did you get them 2nd hand? I've seen damage to valves (normally from a tank falling out of the back of a car which) can prevent the DIN reg screwing in properly, as it ovalises the hole.

Hope this helps...

[Colin Marriott]

Leaky pillar valve probably, leaking through where the knob connects. If you can't get the twinset in the bath, try blathering it in soapy water and watch for the bubbles!

ColinM

[greekbird]

Originally Posted by Colin Marriott

Leaky pillar valve probably, leaking through where the knob connects. If you can't get the twinset in the bath, try blathering it in soapy water and watch for the bubbles!

ColinM

i was just going to suggest that...get a squirty thing from b&q (usually used to spray stuff on plants n' that) and fill it with water and a bit of fairy. connect everything on your twinset, turn air on and spray the mixture around all connections...as well as at the bottom of your spg hose, where it connects to the guage...if there is the tinyest of leaks anywhere you'll see the soapy bubbles move. good luck

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Padowan

So it seems that the problem is related to the right post. Make sure that the threads are nice and clean, you can also mix up a dilute white vinegar solution and clean the threads out on the DIN fitting on the regs with a toothbrush, so that they screw in smoothly and easily - the vinegar will get rid of that white film on the threads. Also make sure that there are no bits of crud in the bottom of the DIN recepticle of the valve. You have changed the O-ring, but you can also try putting a thin smear of silicone grease (or O2 grease if you're using Nitrox and a bit rich and anal) on the o-ring to make sure that the seal is good.

I have had this with an Apeks DIN first stage before (on the YBOD), and the thin smear of lube and the clean threads sort it out.
One final question - was the twinset (or the valves and manifold at least) new, or did you get them 2nd hand? I've seen damage to valves (normally from a tank falling out of the back of a car which) can prevent the DIN reg screwing in properly, as it ovalises the hole.

Hope this helps...

Thanks for that mate. The twins are new, not been in the water yet! The problem has happened on both posts, with different 1st stages and not every time. The first stages screw in fine without any problems. I will give everything a clean again later and retry. Failing this do you think it would be a call to Kent Divers?

Thanks,

Ian