I have a PT-017 housing and I can't find a new O'ring anywhere. The one in the housing is a couple of years old, and I have never taken it out and re greased it.
Should I take the O'ring out and re-apply some silicon grease? How do you take it out with out damaging the O'ring?
Thanks
I'm not one to change the grease on the ring after each dive, but a couple of years is pushing your luck. Oh well, you survived. I just carefully inspect it for any foreign grit or fiber every time I open the case, and I am careful where I open it (windy boat decks are not good). If I see the least bit of grit or salt, then it must come off for a cleaning and slight greasing.
The causes of leaks are fiber, hair, grit, sand, or salt crystals under or around the O-ring, or impressions of same in the O-ring. Always inspect for those just before you close the case, especially on a boat. If you feel you must clean it and re-apply a little grease, do so. Use very little grease. The grease is only to allow the O-ring to slip against the housing, rather than to abrade. Use very little, since too much just holds grit and salt. Sometimes folks use way too much grease and it seems to really attract junk, yuch. A tiny bit is best.
To remove the ring, use the corner of a credit card, a guitar pick, or similar dull plastic tool, not a screwdriver or other sharp tool. Wipe the ring with a lint free cloth to avoid fibers, removing all the excess old grease, grit, hair, fibers, salt crystals and whatever from the ring and the surfaces on the case where the ring contacts. Place the O-ring back on the camera immediately, or in a plastic bag to keep it clean.
