New MK10 & D300

[sisidmarino]

Hi. New to the forum. Chanced upon a brand new MK10 paired with a new D300. Price tags still attached and not a scratch on both items. Question is, being a new "vintage" would I need this looked at before I start using it? I'm planning to use this with glide 500 BCD with air 2. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[redacted]

At a minimum, it needs a good inspection. I would not be surprised to find all is fine.

main issue is whether Scubapro was using polyurethane o-rings at that time. They tend to degrade badly over time and will surely leak. Otherwise, you may get lucky. Both HP and LP seats should be OK. Other o-ring materials may also be fine.

 

[sisidmarino]

Good call on the inspection. What are your thoughts on pairing it with a knight hawk or glide 500? Both BCD's have got air 2.

 

[scubafanatic]

If you're going to inspect o-rings, might as well get a fresh service at the same time anyway. I'm way too 'anal' about my gear to dive 30 + year old o-rings though.

 

[redacted]

Pair it with any bcd and alternate you like.

I would not do much disassembly for such an inspection. Defective o-ring tend to leak under pressure or vacuum. And when they do fail, it usually starts as a small leak. But, if I were going on a dive trip, I would take a spare set just in case.

 

[halocline]

Those are two of my favorite regulators. I would connect it to a tank and see if anything leaks, also do a vacuum test on the 2nd stage and check the IP stability. You might get lucky. If it were mine I would be tempted to rebuild it, but that's because I have the parts and I do it myself.

If you do need to get it rebuilt, please find someone that won't destroy a really nice reg set. That means finding a tech that can remove the old HP piston o-ring without scratching the journal that it sits in. It also means finding someone that is familiar with the D series and knows how to get them tuned correctly. You're in for a real treat once they're working well.

 

[rx7diver]

Those are two of my favorite regulators. ...

If you do need to get it rebuilt, please find someone that won't destroy a really nice reg set. That means finding a tech that can remove the old HP piston o-ring without scratching the journal that it sits in. It also means finding someone that is familiar with the D series and knows how to get them tuned correctly. You're in for a real treat once they're working well.

+1! My Mk 10 (purchased new in 1987) + D400 (purchased new c. 1994) remains my absolute favorite single hose regulator when rec diving in temperate water. Servicing a Mk 10 is straightforward and very easy. However, I will not attempt to service my D400, myself. Instead, so far I have allowed only one longtime Scubapro tech (my LDS owner, a longtime friend) service it. Incidentally, my D400 has been serviced only once, a couple of years ago.

Safe Diving,

rx7diver

 

[sisidmarino]

Thanks for the inputs. Makes me excited about this chance find. It's pretty much brand new complete with price tags and price stickers albeit faded. Saltwater hasn't had a chance to touch this beauty yet. what level of tear down do I need a tech to do on this unit?

 

[rhwestfall]

what did the leak test reveal?

 

[sisidmarino]

Haven't brought it to a tech yet. Just wondering what level of service as this is basically a brand new reg set. Price tags, box and all.