Regulator Leak Issue..please help!

[drummerboi311]

Hey all,
I have the same problem with my 2 regulators:
Sherwood BRUT
APEKS XTX 50

When I have a horizontal trim, and I turn my head to the left, I get increasingly bad wet breaths....

Any ideas? The fact that it happens with both of these regulators makes me think it might be me doing something wrong but I can't think of what it could be...

Thanks!

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Hey all,
I have the same problem with my 2 regulators:
Sherwood BRUT
APEKS XTX 50

When I have a horizontal trim, and I turn my head to the left, I get increasingly bad wet breaths....

Any ideas? The fact that it happens with both of these regulators makes me think it might be me doing something wrong but I can't think of what it could be...

Thanks!

Do you notice any pull or tugging when you turn your head left? Just a thought, but since the problem occurs when looking left (hose is on right, can tend to tug on 2nd stage when you look left if routing is not optimal) I was curious.

The usual culprits of wet breathing are loose or cracked mouthpiece, leaking exhaust valve, small crack in 2nd stage case, leak (pin hole) in 2nd stage diaphragm, leaking o-ring(s).... but leaking only when you look left makes me think from the mouthpiece when there is some increased hose "pull" on the 2nd stage??

Some 2nd stage are just wet breathers in certain positions (a little water seeps in throught the exhaust valve). Usually, that is on your back, on inverted (head down, feet up) for a period of time, not just looking left from a horizontal position....

I'm sure others may have a better idea, but that is all I could think of...

Best wishes.

 

[drummerboi311]

See...I thought that too, but the XTX 50 has the MP ports on a swivel..
It definitely makes sense though, I'll pick up some flex hoses and see it that fixes the problem.
Thanks for the input!

Anyone else have other suggestions??

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Before spending money on new hoses (but the Miflex hoses are very nice ), do check the mouthpieces carefully to make sure the zip ties are tight, and there are no tiny cracks... you can also "vacuum test" the 2nd stages:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html

I actually should have steered you to the regulator checklist first, to help rule out leaks in the 2nd stage... my bad.

Best wishes.

 

[redacted]

Also, reach up and pull a bit on the hose without turning your head to see if that produces the problem.

 

[halocline]

It's probably a leaky exhaust valve in both regs. Try the vacuum test; put your reg on a tank, keep the air off, try to draw some air. If you get any you have a leak. Then you can try submersing the 2nd stage just enough to put the exhaust valve under water, suck again. Still get air? It's not the exhaust valve, but if you don't, that's your problem.

Turning left and breathing wet would be pretty typical if you had a side-breather. Try turning over, so the exhaust valve is closest to the surface, see if gets even wetter. I think the fact that it happens on both regs is a coincidence. You're not missing any teeth on the left, are you? (sorry, little joke)

 

[drummerboi311]

I'll try the vacuum test tmrw morning, then I'll post an update. Thanks again

 

[captndale]

I have found that most problems of this sort are not the fault of the equipment. First, visually check the mouthpiece and case for tears and cracks and then do a vacuum check. Once you have verified that there are no leaks then think about how you were using the regulator.

If the regulator has no external leaks and the exhaust valve is working (verified by the vacuum check) the only way water can be getting into the regulator is from a bad seal between your lips and the mouthpiece. In the normal, face vertical, position a small amount of water entering the regulator will be expelled through the exhaust valve during each exhalation. If, however you turn your head so that the exhaust valve is not in the lowest position, any water which enters will be trapped and will not be expelled.

On your next dive pay attention to how you are holding the regulator in your mouth. Do you truly have a good seal on the mouthpiece? If not, you may want to adjust your bite or purchase a more comfortable mouthpiece.

 

[drummerboi311]

i'm about to go perform the vacuum test, i'll get back in about 15 minutes

 

[drummerboi311]

Hey guys- so I did the vacuum test and it failed, swapped the mouthpiece and it passed, I'll be getting in the water with it again tomorrow so I'll letcha know how it goes after that!