Hey all, I have a strange CO2 tank leak, and I can't figure out why. I've tried searching a bunch of forums, but I haven't seen anyone with the same problem. Thoughts? When the regulator is attached to the tank and the gas line is attached to a keg, when I open the main valve on the tank, CO2 starts gushing out right beneath where the valve enters the tank. It stops when I close the tank. If I open the safety valve on the regulator, the CO2 stops coming out beneath the main valve and instead comes out of the safety valve. If I disconnect the gas line from the regulator, CO2 comes out of the open end of the regulator instead of beneath the main valve. If I take the regulator off completely, CO2 comes out of the tank outlet instead of beneath the main valve. It seems like whenever the CO2 tank is open and the gas encounters resistance, it starts flowing out beneath the valve. I haven't seen anyone with the problem before. Is something wrong with the tank?
Your tank has no problem . . . however the o-ring that seals the main tank valve is kaput. This is rare but it happens (I've seen it on an air tank). Normally they last the full five years of a hydro-static cycle. Just to confirm, on your fourth bullet above: the CO2 coming out of the tank outlet is when the main tank valve is open . . . correct? Otherwise your main tank valve is seriously misbehaving. It's an easy fix. Vent your tank (pause for a good cry), remove the valve with a pipe wrench, and replace the o-ring. Here are the details. If you're unsure of any of this a fire extinguisher maintenance outlet can do it for you. Usually they are happy to test/refill your tank. Cost of the o-ring is about a quarter . . . expect to pay a little more.
Thank you! I was starting to go crazy. Yes, you are absolutely correct about the fourth bullet point. If I'm going to have to refill a nearly-full 15 lb tank anyway, I may just trade it out at the homebrew place where I originally bought it. Hopefully they don't charge extra for returning a slightly defective tank...
