BCD inflator hose Schrader valve?

[HenrikBP]

I was testing my regulator, and discovered a tiny leak from the BCD inflator hose (Miflex) when vacuum testing. I took the Schrader valve out and checked for nicks and gunk, but found none. Lubed up the valve and re-installed and there was still little leak.

I hooked the regulators up to a tank and there was no leak from the inflator hose. With the regulator off the tank - with dust cap in place - and inflator hose connected to the wing, also no leak.

I think I'm fine for diving, but would like to get it fixed. So what kind of Schrader valves are used in an inflator hose? My wing is an Oxycheq Mach V, and the inflator assembly looks fairly generic - i.e. it looks similar to many other assemblies.

An old 2004 thread said to use whatever I can find, but does anyone have details or differing opinions?

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/repairing-your-own-gear/60393-schrader-valve-bcd-inflator.html

Thanks

Henrik

 

[spectrum]

I haven't found anything to the contrary. Just go to a parking lot and find a nice new car. Use your tool to quickly swap for a newer valve. No more problem.

Pete

 

[HenrikBP]

Well, here in Gotham that kind of behavior can get you hurt pretty quick , but I catch your drift. I may just go to the tire shop instead

Thanks

Henrik

I haven't found anything to the contrary. Just go to a parking lot and find a nice new car. Use your tool to quickly swap for a newer valve. No more problem.

Pete

 

[herman]

Some of the Zeagles (and maybe more...don't know) used a differnt size one than is commonly found in autos. I don't recall what the number was but it is used in large off road equipment. If yours is larger than the standard auto varity, you can get the larger ones at industrial tire dealers.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

@HenrikBP: Could you elaborate on how you did the vacuum test? Was the BC inflator hose hooked up to the power inflator assembly at the time? When pressurized, was the inflator hose leaking while connected...or disconnected?
The reason I ask is that, from the info you gave in the original post, it's still not clear to me what needs to be replaced.

The possible causes of a malfunctioning inflator hose (when pressurized) are:

1. If the inflator hose leaks while attached to the power inflator, then the o-ring (size 011) inside the quick disconnect needs to be replaced. You'll be able to see it if you shine a light inside the end of the quick disconnect on the inflator hose. BTW, this sucker is a pain-in-the-butt to replace. Cussin' and swearin' is allowed during this repair.
2. If the inflator hose leaks while disconnected, then the Schrader valve needs replacement. Easy fix. Replacement Schrader valves can be purchased at any automotive warehouse (Autozone, Pep Boys, etc.), automotive section of Walmart, or any bicycle shop. They're very cheap. When you remove the old Schrader valve make sure that it is about the same size of the one you use to replace it. I have heard that some BCD hoses use different sized Schrader valves (as herman pointed out).
3. If the inflator hose leaks in the crimp area, then you should probably just buy a new hose...although pliers might work as a short-term solution.
4. If the leak is coming from the hose itself (not in the vicinity of the disconnect or crimp), then you should buy a new hose.

Hope this helps...

 

[HenrikBP]

Herman; thanks. I think my inflator assembly is fairly standard. I've seen them on wings from several of the known manufacturers. Well, at least something that looks very similar. But I'll bring mine along when I go to find some. If I get specifics on size etc. I'll post them here.

Bubble: thanks for the long write-up, and sorry for being unclear in my OP. I'll be more specific:

I was going through the basic regulator checklist that was compiled by some of the SB members and was doing the vacuum test. What I did for the vacuum test was essentially suck on the regulator without having the first stage attached to a tank and without the BC inflator hose connected to the wing. The dust cap was in place and holding air/vacuum. That's when I heard air seeping - and at first thought it might be the 2nd stage exhaust valve or diaphragm.

It turned out it came from the un-connected inflator hose. When I blocked the hose with a finger I got no air leaking in.

After that I put the regulator on a tank and pressurized it and had no air leak from the still un-connected inflator hose. I then connected the inflator hose to the inflator assembly on the wing and again had no air leak.

In short I'm guessing that the spring in the Schrader valve is not strong enough to hold against my vacuum, and therefore letting a bit of air in. No biggie, but I'd rather it held air tight.

Thanks again all,

Henrik

 

[Matt S.]

How do you disassemble the Miflex hose end? My Miflex inflator hose just started leaking. (Hissing while on a pressurized regulator, no BC attached.)

 

[HenrikBP]

I bought a Schrader valve tool from scubatools.com:

Schrader Valve Tool (1.65" Bit)

With that the tiny valve part unscrews - exactly like the valve on a car tire. Have you ever seen someone change tires? First thing they do is remove the valve to quickly drain the air. The valve simply unscrews.

Hope this helps.

Henrik

 

[Matt S.]

An excuse to buy a new tool... I love it. Thanks for the info!

 

[HenrikBP]

An excuse to buy a new tool... I love it. Thanks for the info!

Just happy to help.

Henrik