Aged Reg failure (with pictures)

[scubaalblake]

OK,
So I have an *old* (pre 1995) Oceanic PX2 (scubapro mk5 clone) which I used to dive on but have used as a workbench reg (to supply cleaning air) for a few years. As its a really simple, reliable reg I thought I might repurpose it as my shallow-water (oxygen) deco reg. Used it in the pool and carried it around in the shallows a few times and ordered the parts for an oxygen clean and service.
Took it apart this morning and got the shock of my life.
The main spring was broken in half. I have never seen anything like it before. Signs of corrosion on the broken ends so it had happened a while ago. After getting over the shock I couldn’t believe the reg had still been working (albeit for a few test breaths in less than 5m of water). No free flows, no lock up. Breathed a bit heavy(!) - but hey its an old reg.
Before you all have a go at me for unsafe diving(!) at all times II had 3 other fully serviced and working regs attached to me. But I took a few breaths off the old one and it worked ok. Amazing. Downside is the spring broke. Upside is it really proves how failsafe the old piston designs were.
Parts are unavailable for this reg so unfortunately its destined for the skip but I thought I’d share the the experience with SB colleagues.
Enjoy the photos.

 

[scubadada]

Wouldn't have this been picked up at a routine inspection/service? I had a very corroded spring taken out of one of my MK25s shown to me after service. I had bought the reg from a well-known operator in CO, who said it had just been serviced. Buyer beware, always.

 

[scubaalblake]

Wouldn't have this been picked up at a routine inspection/service? I had a very corroded spring taken out of one of my MK25s shown to me after service. I had bought the reg from a well-known operator in CO, who said it had just been serviced. Buyer beware, always.

Maybe it would have been picked up before it broke. I dont know. I hadn’t been servicing it regularly (at least 5 years) as it was only a workshop air-supply reg for the bench - used for cleaning other reg parts during servicing!
Ive just never seen one actually break and keep working before

 

[Bigbella]

Wow!

Those often overlooked, under-appreciated springs amazingly survive decades of constant tension without any visible issue; then, gradual fatigue, over time; then, kaput. Several manufacturers double up on them, one nested inside the other, for that reason, among others.

I had a Poseidon Odin main-spring fail, years ago; though, like you, did not immediately experience any overall lack of performance or notice, until I heard a slight rattling inside my first stage, when it was first detached from the tank.

That secondary spring, which not all of those models had, at that time, potentially saved my bacon . . .

 

[Bob DBF]

Before you all have a go at me for unsafe diving(!) at all times II had 3 other fully serviced and working regs attached to me.

Not me, I wouldn't have had the other three regs, perhaps one if going deep.

 

[boat sju]

Did you trash it yet? I bet you can find a spring so you could still use the reg for your work bench, tire inflater, etc.

 

[Couv]

OK,
So I have an *old* (pre 1995) Oceanic PX2 (scubapro mk5 clone) which I used to dive on but have used as a workbench reg (to supply cleaning air) for a few years. As its a really simple, reliable reg I thought I might repurpose it as my shallow-water (oxygen) deco reg. Used it in the pool and carried it around in the shallows a few times and ordered the parts for an oxygen clean and service.
Took it apart this morning and got the shock of my life.
The main spring was broken in half. I have never seen anything like it before. Signs of corrosion on the broken ends so it had happened a while ago. After getting over the shock I couldn’t believe the reg had still been working (albeit for a few test breaths in less than 5m of water). No free flows, no lock up. Breathed a bit heavy(!) - but hey its an old reg.
Before you all have a go at me for unsafe diving(!) at all times II had 3 other fully serviced and working regs attached to me. But I took a few breaths off the old one and it worked ok. Amazing. Downside is the spring broke. Upside is it really proves how failsafe the old piston designs were.
Parts are unavailable for this reg so unfortunately its destined for the skip but I thought I’d share the the experience with SB colleagues.
Enjoy the photos.

@scubaalblake That is unfortunate. Thanks for sharing.
I have a new old stock MK5 spring I'm willing to sell. PM me if interested.

While you have that puppy apart, could you post a picture of the turret retainer? I have a couple of oddball turret retainers that I cannot place.

TIA

couv

 

[scubaalblake]

Not me, I wouldn't have had the other three regs, perhaps one if going deep.

Sidemount plus 2 stages (one of which had the aged reg) - so 3 others

 

[Bob DBF]

Sidemount plus 2 stages (one of which had the aged reg) - so 3 others

That explains that.

 

[Ouvea]

Wow!

Those often overlooked, under-appreciated springs amazingly survive decades of constant tension without any visible issue; then,

Do you recommend replacing the spring at specific intervals? Probably not an issue for a 5 year old regulator, but how about at 10 or 15 year old regulator? Does the regulator exhibit any symptoms prior to failure?

O.