Scubapro help

[Aukanaii26]

Hey,
I am new to the site and relatively new to scuba. Right now i seem to be on and of craigslist, and ebay buying and selling gear until i find what is right for me. I recently stumbled upon 4 mk15 regs with 3 g250's and a d400. I serviced my air2 octos no problem, haven't really had any trouble refreshing my second stages; however, I tried to jump into servicing the mk15's but no matter what I try, I can't make the tools I need to open it up. Also, I dont really want to pay 100 per reg plus parts to get them serviced. I found the schematics for the mk 15, but I was wondering if anyone had some spare scubapro tools, time to give me a quick lesson (I am eager to learn everything there is about my gear and other gear and am located in tampa) , and or the service manual? I also checked frogkick and had no luck there. I am really hoping not to hear, "you should just take it to the certified shop," because I wont learn if I do that. I know shops are there for to help and thats how they make money, but i feel like since the market is pretty cornered they over charge. I serviced my air2 in an hour and have had no problems with it at all. I even dove a 45 ft dive using it, instead of my S550 just to may sure it was all clear.

Also, cleaning corroded parts, I played around with som old equiptment I had laying around, and couldn't remove corrosion with a nylon brush or felt wheel, but when i use the wire brush its too evasive and removex the regulator's finish, any idea's?

 

[Zung]

I'm not familiar with the MK15, but it should follow the general outline of all things Scubapro:

• For the yoke retainer, you need a special nut.
• For the seat retainer, part #1, it's not clear in the schematics, but I think it's a face spanner.
• For the cap, part #20, you need a hook spanner.

Note that the 2 first items above can be replaced by a special tool. The rest is pretty much standard tools.

Regarding corrosion, it can be dealt with by a little soak in white vinegar, 10 - 30 min.

Hopefully, the real MK15 Kings will chime in for the more involved parts like removing and fitting the retaining ring, part #6.

 

[redacted]

OK, "felt wheel and wire brush" have probably set of a number off red flags in this normally DIY helpful forum. An Air2 is one of the more complex items to service, as is the D400. The first time I disassembled my Mk20 (same procedure as the Mk15) I used a strap wrench with a brass nut/bolt through it to engage an ambient chamber hole and a pair of bent nose needle nose pliers to remove the seat retainer. But first I read a good "how to" book (SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR by Vance Harlow). Then take a look at Scuba Tools to see what the professional tools look like.

BTW, only one of the bushings in the Mk15 should be removed.

Also, here is a homemade yoke nut socket: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/34848/title/homemade-yoke-nut-sockets/cat/500

 

[Aukanaii26]

lol so felt wheel and wire brush must be too evasive? And thanks! I didnt know about the other tools that could replace the scubapro tool. Does anyone know any place to get a service kit, I changed all the o rings and cleaned the corrosion, but i need the hp seat.

 

[Zung]

Tooth brush is good before and after the ultrasonic.
If you find a source for cheap MK20 seats, I'm all ears.

 

[Aukanaii26]

I went into my local dive shop and he gave me four hp seats for 5$ a piece. I left the regs in vinegar and simple green overnight. They came out looking brand new, with the exception of a few spots where the chrome was eaten away by bad corrosion. Tonight I am going to disassemble the reg and clean the interior as well. Is there anywhere I can find the torque amount for the mk15?

 

[halocline]

The MK15 is probably the most difficult of the balanced piston regs to service. (still easy if you're familiar with it) You need a skinny set of snap ring pliers to get the clip out that holds the bushings in place. If you dive shop gave you four MK15 seats, and they are different from all others, I'd like to buy a few from the same guy. I have lots of extra MK15 bushings; I'd be happy to trade some for seats, but they'd have to be MK15 seats and I've never seen those separate from the annual kit.

Regarding the torque values, there are different values for different fittings. The yoke retainer is about 23 ft/lbs, I'm not sure what the turret retainer value is, but it should be on the schematic.

Wire brush on a regulator? Hmmmm.....I can smell the "leave it to the professionals" coming a mile away.

Edit: the torque spec for the turret retainer is 35-45 inch/pounds, more or less 3 to 4 ft/lbs. Not very tight!

 

[Aukanaii26]

Lol halocline you have little faith. I am learning, that's why I used one of the four regs. I should have just let the vinegar do the work. It's did better than the wire anyway, the ultrasonic cleaner should do the rest. I will let you know if the seats are correct. The schematic I have only showns the part list with a few wrench sizes, its the rev d which is the latest I can find. How do you know if your dealing with an upgraded mk15 or not. I hope the guy I got it from had it serviced within the decade lol.

 

[Aukanaii26]

It doesn't really make a difference but by wire brush I ment wire wheel on a dremmel. It did remove rust from the piston without a problem.

 

[halocline]

I think the non-upgraded Mk15 has a seat retainer with an allen wrench fitting; it was SP's failed attempt at externally adjustable IP. Interestingly enough, as the tech would adjust the IP while the reg was pressurized the seat was just getting ground into the knife edge of the piston....ooops!

I might have an upgrade kit. BTW, the part number for the seat I have is 10-600-123. Like I said, I've never seen them separately, so if your shop has them, I'll take a few and I can trade you some MK15 parts you might need. The MK15 is IMO a great reg, often maligned due to the initial problems they had with the seat and external IP adjustment. You get the excellent lock up of the knife edge piston with the bushing system from the later MK20/25. I think the last time I serviced mine was about 4 years ago; I don't use it much, but it's still rock solid with zero creep.