APEKS ATX200 leaking air when inhaling..

[BEM]

I just got the one year servicing done on my ATX 200. I haven’t had any previous problems with it and it has worked superbly. After the servicing, I noticed that when I inhale, there is a stream of bubbles coming out of the exhaust ports. Not a lot of bubbles, but when I stop inhaling, they stop and I have tried all positions with the IVS (Integrated Venturi System) control switch and the Inhalation Resistance Control Knob as well as purging the reg. No change. The dives have been in 50 degrees (F), < 30 ffw, 36% NITROX. The reg breathed fine and there was no water leakage into the reg. The last dives before the servicing were in salt water, but I soaked it in fresh water after the dives and when we returned home. I keep our regs in a sealed plastic tub when not in use and were not dropped on the ground.

I took it back to the LDS and they checked it out again and said that it was set up correctly. The tech had the same reg and his did the same thing and not to worry about it.

Subsequent dives and the same thing, a steady stream of half inch bubbles.

The “leakage” was not present before the servicing and my wife’s ATX 200 doesn’t have this issue (both serviced by the same tech at the same time.)

Any ideas on what is causing this and should I be concerned?

 

[Scubaroo]

The only way I cn think of air getting into the exhaust T is through the exhaust valve, which is the circular grey rubber valve, about an inch in diameter. There is a horizontal line on the front of the valve (facing into the exhaust T), that should be rotated to be horizontal to be installed correctly, on the TX series at least, I would have to check the ATX200 documentation to see if it's the same. If that's already the case, then there's not much else I can think of.... perhaps an Apeks technician on board (there are several people claiming that status) could help...

...maybe they either didn't replace the exhaust valve, and damaged it in the process of removing and reinstalling, or they put in a new defective one? Either way, insist on a new one and ask for the old parts back so you know they did it.

 

[redacted]

I would suspect an assembly problem rather than a defective exhaust valve since it stops when you stop inhaling. My guess would be arrant leak from the air barrel that is creating an local overpressure at the exhaust valve causing the leak. I'm more familiar with my SP setup but understand Apex 2nd is similiar to G250. With the SP barrel poppet 2nd, it is possible to install the barrel with the air outlets pointing the wrong way. This would effectively disable your IVS feature and could be creating the overpressure on the exhaust valve.

I think I'd be looking for a new tech for no more reason than the claim that this is normal.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Yeah, that is weird.

I would have it looked at at another shop that is an authorized APeks repair facility.

Its hard to say whats wrong without looking at it. I would say that its not normal, and something is wrong.

When you inhale, the air should go into your mouth, and thats it. Not directly out the exhaust diaphragm.

 

[RSdiver]

How old is it? How many dives? How have you stored it?

Is your Poppet worn badly?
ALWAYS store the second stage Inhalation Resistance Control Knob in the FULL OUT position. It will last far longer that way.

 

[Braunbehrens]

To check if the tube is in the reg "upside down", just unscrew the face of it, and have a look. The hole in the tube should be pointing at your mouth.

When you put it back make sure you are gentle with the diaphragm, and that it is sitting properly in the groove. Then put on the diaphragm retainer and then screw the face back on. Obviously, try the reg before jumping in the water.

I'm out of town right now so I can't try it to see if it's possible to assemble the reg like that, but it's at least plausible.

The comment about finding another shop is dead on, or learn to service it yourself if you are mechanically inclined.

PS, I wouldn't dive that reg until you've gotten to the bottom of this.

 

[BEM]

After taking it in a few times, the tech replaced an o-ring in the heat exchanger (part #12 in the manual) and I haven't had the problem since. would have posted earlier, but wanted to make sure it would not bubble again.

I was able to get a bit of air when the first staged was plugged off - not good. The Apeks rep said that I should charge and discharge the stages a few times to "seat" the parts after servicing. Whether this would help - as this was most likely a defective o-ring.

RSDiver: the reg was bought in August '02 and serviced in June '03. Storage: winter: rinced in fresh water, dried, 1st and 2nd stages put in "baggies" and the regs placed flat in a plastic container with a top and in the basement (cool and dry) I also test them out at least once a month in the winter. summer: rinced in fresh water, put into the plastic container. I store them with the Crackling Resistance Control knobs in the full out position and the Venturi close to the minus position.

We go for a salt water (warm) vacation each winter and don't get the regs serviced before that (unless there is a problem). After getting home, we get them serviced.