One of my kegs has an "out" post that leaks liquid out the top of the post through the poppet when I apply the CO2. I can't force carb the keg without getting a leak. I've taken the poppet out and tried to clean it and the post, and tried to be sure that the poppet is seated right, but it's still not making a good seal. Do these things wear out and I need to get a new post and/or poppet, or can I possibly get this one to stop leaking? Thanks.
Replace the poppet. They wear out just like any other moving seal. You might be able to buy some time with a dab of Keg Lube.
Is there a chance you swapped the poppit with another keg? some have slightly shorter ones. often the longer poppits work in place of the shorter but not the opposite. It might just be a matter of tracking down where that one used to be.
As a temporary fix you can attach the beer line via the quick disconnect and proceed as usual... assuming that it is just the poppet that is leaking. With the beer line connected (ie the quick disconnect connected), the poppet is in the open position anyway. Just make sure the tap is off before you connect. I've made that mistake more often than I'd like to admit.
This particular keg is new to me, so the poppet is what came with it, but perhaps the previous owner swapped out the wrong one. I may see if any poppets from my other kegs fit. Luckily it's the one I've been using for homemade seltzer, so I've only had water leaking and not precious beer.
I have been very happy with the universal poppets. I think Northern Brewer sells them. They have a larger/fatter rubber seal on them. I Have 6 kegs of several different makes, and I just got the last one converted to the universal poppets with no issues. That said, in the past whenever I had a small leak I could usually get it to stop with a quick rap on the top of the fitting with a screwdriver handle.
