Question Scubapro A700 Metal Body "Flaking"

[Alfa13]

I recently took my A700 regulator to my LDS for servicing. After several weeks, they informed me that the metal "body" of the second stage was "flaking" recommended replacing the part. However, they said that this part is unavailable to purchase and then recommended that I get a new second stage. Unfortunately my regs are still at the shop so I don't have pictures of the issue with the body.

Has anyone encountered a similar issue or knows if this part is available? I tried looking for the part myself and believe the part number is 11700006, but it is difficult to find any parts available online.

 

[Mobulai]

Flaking!?
It’s chrome plated brass — flaking would suggest that it’s sprayed, but I’m almost certain it’s electrolysis plated

Maybe they mean there’s chrome loss, but that would be from deep scratches and/or spending too long a time in an acid bath

You should follow up with them on how it happened — something feels missing/off that they’re not saying/being truthful about

Do you have any pictures of it before service in case you need to fight them on this?

This is definitely not a part you’ll find online, a SP dealer/tech can tho

 

[BoltSnap]

Something is fishy here.

 

[Alfa13]

I don’t have any before pictures unfortunately, but the exterior of the reg was in perfect shape, so I’m assuming the flaking they mentioned is happening inside the body. I’m confused from this situation as well, I don’t do a ton of diving and always make sure I rinse my regs well after a dive. I will try to get the shop to send me pictures of the issue and post them here.

 

[Mobulai]

Ok I acquired an A700 a year ago (as part of a pack of used regs), but I never cared for it so it stayed in storage
I decided to open it up and give it a looksy
(i was very triggered by the warning on the schematics you attached— the “don’t disassemble”) (now I have to clean and service it)

It wasn’t looking promising from the outside, and I was sure to run into verdigris (found some in the mouthpiece barrel)
Indeed the inside has a “flakey” look, but it’s something very similar to old chrome regs like 108/109/BA, salt and calcium deposits
Certainly not the body flaking off

Now, I assume your LDS has a basic level of knowledge that they know what calcium deposits look like — so it probably is something else
Here comes my worries; the body of the reg.. is almost the entirety of it; besides the lever and the black sleeve, this (pictured) is all one single part

Replacing the “body” is gonna be a hell of a costly ticket

I am still betting that they left it for too long in an acid bath to clean the verdigris/corrosion that they stripped off the chrome.
I hope it works out — keep us updated

 

[happy-diver]

Chrome flakes, and peels, sometimes substantially, it's only a coating after all
applied certain ways it can run and drip behaving like paint before hardening

Regarding the reg, run, right now to the shop rescue your reg, never go back

Prophet Singler peace be upon him and Sir Professalot can over the internet help put Humpty back together again

 

[BoltSnap]

Chrome flakes, and peels, sometimes substantially, it's only a coating after all
applied certain ways it can run and drip behaving like paint before hardening

Regarding the reg, run, right now to the shop rescue your reg, never go back

Prophet Singler peace be upon him and Sir Professalot can over the internet help put Humpty back together again

When I go to Australia to dive, I am going to block few days to go diving with you for sure. @Pressurehead will get few days too.

 

[Nemrod]

I recently took my A700 regulator to my LDS for servicing. After several weeks, they informed me that the metal "body" of the second stage was "flaking" recommended replacing the part. However, they said that this part is unavailable to purchase and then recommended that I get a new second stage. Unfortunately my regs are still at the shop so I don't have pictures of the issue with the body.

Has anyone encountered a similar issue or knows if this part is available? I tried looking for the part myself and believe the part number is 11700006, but it is difficult to find any parts available online. View attachment 909795

Without pictures of the "flaking" it is hard to make guesses. My guess is the shop left the chrome plated brass second stage in too strong of a cleaning solution (vinegar, HCL) and along with too much time in an ultrasonic cleaner.

If you mean verdigris from poor after dive maintenance, yes, that is all going to come off in a proper cleaning leaving bare, exposed brass. Ugly regulators can breath just fine. So can those with flaking and peeling chrome.

 

[Mobulai]

yes, that is all going to come off in a proper cleaning leaving bare, exposed brass

@Alfa13 here is what to expect it to look like as a result of that

As Happy said, run and save your reg

BTW, I just finished tuning the reg — took me all but 1/2 a day, you really might wanna look into finding a different LDS/service tech for servicing

Edit: damn this reg is annoying to service, I’m gonna sell it as soon as I can

 

[Alfa13]

I just got back from the LDS to pick up my regs.....They were not willing to put the reg back together due to the rust shown in the attached photos and still insisted that I needed a new second stage. I don't get the impression that they left it too long in the ultrasonic cleaner, but rather I think they may taking an overly conservative approach with their servicing.