Mares MR22 worth rebuilding?

[Zef]

Thanks for the mine of information @lowwall, much appreciated.

Are there any special tools you would recommend? There are a few sites around such as this one, but not sure what I really need if any. I already have an IP guage and a sink full of water for cracking pressure.

I was eyeing off some MR12III sets, but will be patient and look for abyss series now.
One look in the mirror cures me of chasing style points.

No special tools are needed to service your version of the MR22, other than the IP gauge you already have. An inline adjuster to set cracking pressure on whatever 2nd stage you decide to use will make this adjustment more convenient, but it is not necessary.

If you pickup an Abyss 2nd stage, there was a revision at some point (perhaps 2008) when Mares added a port plug to the body of the 2nd stage to facilitate adjusting the nut that affects lever height. A nut drive that is narrow enough to fit through the port plug opening can be purchased from various online sources (non-dive related sources)...while its not a "necessary" tool, it definitely helps.

-Z

 

[lowwall]

Are there any special tools you would recommend? There are a few sites around such as this one, but not sure what I really need if any. I already have an IP guage and a sink full of water for cracking pressure.

You obviously already have some way of getting the yoke off and the filter retaining clip off , so that's done.

You can get by without any of the specialized Mares tools. Wooden dowels of different diameters are good for pushing stuff out or holding things at the right height during reassembly. You also need a thin probe to push the HP seat out. If you can only find a pointy one, file the point flat.

The one potentially tricky spot is a 5.5mm driver for the nut that hold the lever on the second stage. Later Mares seconds had a port on the opposite side of the case so you could use a standard nut driver like this one: Nutdriver 5.5 mm x 60

But your pre-2008 Abyss doesn't have the port, so you have to work within the reg body. Mares made a little driver for it that showed up in price lists as late as 2018. This one is from 2007.

If you can't find one, you'll probably have to modify a standard driver. Maybe put a 90 degree bend in the shaft and use it like a hex key?

Edit - @Zef and I were writing at the same time. He beat me to publication, but I've got him on word count

 

[lowwall]

One more thing about the tools. You'll see lever height gauges for the various downstream second stages Mares has made. Don't bother. They will get you close enough for shop rental regs, but you can do a lot better.

Here's a detailed write up on tuning these classic seconds: reply to -Needed a pony reg, was this a good purchase? (older MR12 off ebay)

 

[Ecru]

Thanks for the detailed info @Zef and @lowwall

For what it is worth I could access the 5.5mm nut in the 2nd stage with a quarter inch socket and universal joint.

 

[Ecru]

I've had good luck ordering parts from https://www.maremossoforzasette.it/en/diving/spare-part-scuba-diving/mares-regulators.html . I also bought my MR22 from them.

A Dual 15X is a perfectly acceptable regset. But gets you zero style points

The parts cleaned up without too much trouble with dishwashing liquid then a 50% vinegar bath as suggested.

Sourcing parts has turned into a bigger adventure than expected.
The Maremossoforzasette site looks the best, but unfortunately they don't ship to Australia.
Jonas Dive do ship to Australia, but shipping for ~€65 of service kits is ~€75.
That ebay seller seems the best option at ~€120.

I can see why people go new! No style points though.

 

[lowwall]

The parts cleaned up without too much trouble with dishwashing liquid then a 50% vinegar bath as suggested.

Sourcing parts has turned into a bigger adventure than expected.
The Maremossoforzasette site looks the best, but unfortunately they don't ship to Australia.
Jonas Dive do ship to Australia, but shipping for ~€65 of service kits is ~€75.
That ebay seller seems the best option at ~€120.

I can see why people go new! No style points though.

Yikes.

Does anyone know where @buddhasummer is? He splits his time between Japan and Oz and has helped out many people with getting their hands on parts.

Maybe @Pressurehead has some suggestions?

 

[Pressurehead]

Maybe @Pressurehead has some suggestions

Sorry, I have not spoke to Simon in months, I will make inquiries.

 

[lowwall]

Another possibility is Mares Service Kits | Scuba Gaskets

These are aftermarket service kits, but Scubagaskets is a reputable supplier. You'll have to see if they ship to Australia.

They also stock a few spare parts beyond the service kits: Mares Spare Parts - Scuba Gaskets

 

[Ecru]

Another possibility is Mares Service Kits | Scuba Gaskets

These are aftermarket service kits, but Scubagaskets is a reputable supplier. You'll have to see if they ship to Australia.

They also stock a few spare parts beyond the service kits: Mares Spare Parts - Scuba Gaskets

Scubagaskets do ship to Australia, however don't have stock of all that I need.

I'm hoping to buy a MR16 / Voltrex, which I can mix with the MR22 / Abyss. I like the idea of a common 2nd stage (even if visually different), and it will be easier to get parts kit for than the MR12iii.

First stage parts appear similar for swapping as needed. Is there a good case for the MR22 over the MR16 since it was a 'higher' model when new? My understanding is that there isn't a lot of benefit in the 1/2" DFC port for rec diving, plus you either need an adaptor or have issues sourcing hoses.

 

[Zef]

Scubagaskets do ship to Australia, however don't have stock of all that I need.

I'm hoping to buy a MR16 / Voltrex, which I can mix with the MR22 / Abyss. I like the idea of a common 2nd stage (even if visually different), and it will be easier to get parts kit for than the MR12iii.

First stage parts appear similar for swapping as needed. Is there a good case for the MR22 over the MR16 since it was a 'higher' model when new? My understanding is that there isn't a lot of benefit in the 1/2" DFC port for rec diving, plus you either need an adaptor or have issues sourcing hoses.

Essentially the MR16 and the MR22 are the same first stage with a different exterior form factor. The same is true of the Voltrex and the Abyss 2nd stage...relatively, everything is the same with the exception of the faceplate. I state "relatively" because there were some minor changes to the Abyss 2nd stage over the years such as the addition of the port on the side of the 2nd stage body, a change in the lever shape, and then there are the Navy and Extreme versions of the Abyss that have a special coating on internal parts.

I wouldn't hesitate to dive an MR16 1st stage with a Voltrex 2nd stage, but I would recommend not spending much on them as their date of manufacture is quite behind us, so how much you spend on them should be reflective of that.

For the parts you are having trouble sourcing out in the wild, have you checked with any local/semi-local Mares dealers to find if they will help you out?

-Z