Rocks in my BC bladder

[Schrooge]

I am shaking this thing around a bit and it sounds like there rocks inside the bladder. It was bought second-hand but AFAIK it has been on very few dives.
Anyone with some simple answers.

 

[Steve_C]

Salt crystals?

Broken part from a dump valve?

 

[Damselfish]

unscrew a dump valve and see if you can shake whatever it is out through the opening. I'd suggest starting with a lower dump valve if it has one, rather than the one the inflator hose is attached to, and be careful when you unscrew the valve that no parts like a spring go flying off somewhere.

 

[Schrooge]

Salt crystals?

Broken part from a dump valve?

That is a very good question.

unscrew a dump valve and see if you can shake whatever it is out through the opening. I'd suggest starting with a lower dump valve if it has one, rather than the one the inflator hose is attached to, and be careful when you unscrew the valve that no parts like a spring go flying off somewhere.

I have tried loosening the bottom valves but don't see any way it could come off. To be honest I already took off the top valve. After posting this I came to another thread that a person shows the results of leaving water in the BC. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...ght-systems/361763-creating-rock-salt-bc.html

I already have the top off, which took some time because like you said it is easy loosing springs or breaking catches if you do not know where to press or pull.
The BC is a Scubapro equator.
I put a hose pipe in the hole and closed of the other. Opened the bottom valve and rinsed it. ATM it is standing full of water in the shower to dissolve the last big salt crystals. Tomorrow I am doing another rinse and after drying out will let you guys know if this is a good solution.


Sorry for getting ahead of the replies, to be honest I am just a fiddly guy that can't leave stuff alone.

 

[diversteve]

Actually the lower dump valves probably just unscrew. I say that because I'm not familiar with your BCD but usually the only ones that are different are the flat valves like found on BC's with inflation systems like the Aqualung or Mares. Do you have any access to a ScubaPro dealer, I'm sure they can tell you over the phone.

If they're stuck it could possibly be that the salt has crystalized around them preventing it. Hopefully soaking it will loosen them enough so they can be removed. Here's an example of what the mechanism looks like removed - Hollis but similar to yours. There will be a threaded plastic fitting this screws onto. Don't apply excessive pressure if it doesn't seem to be turning since the mounting is only fused to the bladder - if you rip that out you can buy a new BCD.



Actually the whole inflator mechanism, hoses and all, should unscrew in the same fashion without disassembling it like you did. On most BC's the whole unit is replaceable. I can't tell from the photo what orientation it is in but you should be able to grab this and twist it off also. Again, don't force it.


Here's what that piece looks like new:



At least on my Zeagle, it's a pretty fine thread. Cross-threading it on assembly would be bad...

 

[Schrooge]

Diversteve that is an excellent post. Thank you very much for making the effort.
I will return soon with an update.

 

[BRT]

Fill it full of water and dissolve the clumps of salt.

 

[Yoyodyne-88]

"Rocks in your bladder."
...???

Might be kidney stones.

 

[spectrum]

People pay good money for sea salt. Now make some popcorn and find a grinder.

 

[kwinter]

Another excellent example of how people don't take care of their gear. Bladders must be rinsed on the inside after salt water diving. You can't just dunk a BC in a rinse tank for a few seconds and think you've taken care of it.

Unless it's a rental.