New tank, now leaking. Why?

[OregonRich]

I got a new Alm 80 yesterday and took it up to the lake today in the hopes of diving. I didn't dive, but I did "accidentally" turn the knob a touch while moving it (yes, I've been told to be more careful) and some air vented. I closed it back down and didn't pay much attention to it until we got home. As I was unloading it from the boat, I noticed a very slight hiss. Thinking that it was still slightly open I tried to close it, but it was still closed. I opened it again & closed it to see if that might help. It didn't. And actually, it seems like the leak - "hiss" - is coming from the side of the valve and not the O ring/conection area. Sorry for a lack of accurate lingo, but I'm still a new diver. If you have any ideas regarding the problem, I would sure appreciate them. Thanks.

Rich

 

[Tanked]

Ummm... how about taking it back?

 

[scubajoe]

Or shipping it back whatever the case may be. It really doesn't sound like much of a problem to me. The shop you bought it from should be able to fix it if not replace it.

Joe

 

[OregonRich]

They're a great shop and I'm sure they'll handle any problems (but 2 hours away.) I was just wondering if it was anything I could handle myself or a cheap enough fix to take it to someone closer. Thanks.

 

[CIBDiving]

I got a new Alm 80 yesterday and took it up to the lake today in the hopes of diving. I didn't dive, but I did "accidentally" turn the knob a touch while moving it (yes, I've been told to be more careful) and some air vented. I closed it back down and didn't pay much attention to it until we got home. As I was unloading it from the boat, I noticed a very slight hiss. Thinking that it was still slightly open I tried to close it, but it was still closed. I opened it again & closed it to see if that might help. It didn't. And actually, it seems like the leak - "hiss" - is coming from the side of the valve and not the O ring/conection area. Sorry for a lack of accurate lingo, but I'm still a new diver. If you have any ideas regarding the problem, I would sure appreciate them. Thanks.

Rich

Sounds like you extruded the O ring from the control shaft, it's easy to fix but the tank'll need to be drained. the leak will be coming from under ( inside) the knob if that's the case otherwise it'll be leaking out of the outlet in which case you damaged the seat - a slightly more expensive repair.

 

[DennisW]

I think CIB has the right diagnosis for this leak. This isn't something you did, if this is a new tank and valve, then the o-ring was damaged when it was installed. It's one of those things that can happen and you won't know until it begins to leak.

 

[DI_Guy]

Rich

All North American tanks have a "burst disk" which acts as a safety for over pressure situations. Sometimes the burst disk leaks at 3000 PSI. It's a common problem and is usually due to the nut that holds it in place being "loose". Unfortunately you need to drain the tank to tighten the nut properly. Try submerging your tank in a bath tub of water and see if the leak is from the burst disk. Gook luck.

DI_Guy

 

[Mark Vlahos]

This one seems like an easy one, assuming that the shop you purchased it from is close to you. Just take it back, and explain the problem. The shop should be able to either swap it for a new tank, or fix the problem. If you want them to fix the problem while you wait just give them a phone call to make sure that when you bring it back they will have the repair guy in the shop.

If you bought a new tank, you should expect that this tank will hold air indefinitely. The repair or replacement should be free and hassle free (that is why you purchase new gear from a local shop).

Valves are made to be opened and closed, that is what they do! Nothing you did should have damaged the tank or valve. When you get the new or repaired tank ask to have it checked for leaks before you take it home. DON'T try fixing the problem yourself, you could damage the valve and in doing so could cause the shop to think that the damage was your fault and you could have problems getting them to fix it for free, as they should.

By the way, it is fairly common to accidentally open the valve a little when you move the tank, just get into the habbit of checking the valve as the last thing you do when you move the tank, not really that big a deal.

Mark Vlahos

 

[OregonRich]

Thanks again for the help. I think DI Guy may have hit it on the nead. The nut seems to be where the leak - "hiss" - is coming from. I'll try the bathtub trick, unfortunately it will have to wait - my wife is dragging me out furniture shopping today.

Rich

DI Guy,

If the burst disk is the problem, will the bubbles from the leak arise from the area of the nut? Thanks.

Rich

 

[OregonRich]

This one seems like an easy one, assuming that the shop you purchased it from is close to you. Just take it back, and explain the problem. The shop should be able to either swap it for a new tank, or fix the problem. If you want them to fix the problem while you wait just give them a phone call to make sure that when you bring it back they will have the repair guy in the shop.

If you bought a new tank, you should expect that this tank will hold air indefinitely. The repair or replacement should be free and hassle free (that is why you purchase new gear from a local shop).

Valves are made to be opened and closed, that is what they do! Nothing you did should have damaged the tank or valve. When you get the new or repaired tank ask to have it checked for leaks before you take it home. DON'T try fixing the problem yourself, you could damage the valve and in doing so could cause the shop to think that the damage was your fault and you could have problems getting them to fix it for free, as they should.

By the way, it is fairly common to accidentally open the valve a little when you move the tank, just get into the habbit of checking the valve as the last thing you do when you move the tank, not really that big a deal.

Mark Vlahos

Mark,

You're comments on valves are making me feel better. Thanks. As far as the shop, They're great and I'm sure they'll fix it "gratis," but they're 2 hours away. I was just wondering if it was anything I could handle myself or a cheap enough fix to take it to someone closer. Thanks.