Sherwood Oasis 2nd stage has slow leak.

[slackercruster]

Leak is not in the connections.

The reg is the old round style plastic with a ring that comes undone around the purge valve. Breathes fine otherwise. Is it something I can fix at home?


Thanks

 

[Fishpie]

You're really need an IP gauge to determine if the problem is with the 1st or 2nd stage.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

This is something you can do yourself... but....

What Fishpie means in regards to the IP gauge is that there are a couple common possibilities for a "slow leak" (an by this I'm assuming a slight freeflow) from the 2nd stage:

1. The soft seat in the 2nd stage is worn, and is allowing a little air to pass. Or, the 2nd stage soft seat has just taken a slight "set" with use, and the 2nd stage just needs a "touch-up" tune.... but my guess would be the seat needs to be replaced.
2. The intermediate pressure (IP) is too high in the 1st stage, over-powering the spring in the 2nd stage and causing the leak. You need an IP gauge to check this. The IP may be too high due because the 1st stage is overdue for service, or it could just need to be adjusted.

So the possibilities are that either your 1st and 2nd stage just need a simple adjustment, or need a service. If you've been using the reg for quite awhile, and this problem just "appeared", my guess is it is service time. But in any event the 1st thing to check is the IP, because the 2nd stage cannot be properly "tuned" unless the IP is stable and within the correct pressure range for that regulator.

None of this is at all difficult, assuming you know what you are doing and have the necessary tools, gauges and parts. I would absolutely encourage you to do some reading, learn more about how your regulator works, and then decide if doing our own servicing is something you are interested in. That is exactly the road I dedided to go down, and now do all my own servicing.

But my recommendation (since you asked ) is to take the reg into your LDS and have it looked at until you've done all the necessary homework to do it yourself.

Best wishes.

 

[slackercruster]

Thanks,

After studying it up it seems the soft seat is to blame.

I only paid $25 for it used. Do you think it is worth repairing since it is a cheap reg?

 

[scubafanatic]

Thanks,

After studying it up it seems the soft seat is to blame.

I only paid $25 for it used. Do you think it is worth repairing since it is a cheap reg?

...no way for 'us' out here on the WWW to be able to answer that......personally, that's why I don't buy fixer-uppers......buy it for $25 and sink another $ 500 in new parts/labor and you could have got a new reg! Your LDS can give you an opinion...and since you will have to go to them for spare parts anyway...kill two birds with one stone.

 

[herman]

...no way for 'us' out here on the WWW to be able to answer that......personally, that's why I don't buy fixer-uppers......buy it for $25 and sink another $ 500 in new parts/labor and you could have got a new reg! Your LDS can give you an opinion...and since you will have to go to them for spare parts anyway...kill two birds with one stone.

Horse poo. The old Sherwoods are very easy to repair, low cost to maintain and are rock solid. Buy a rebuild kit for a few dollars, clean and rebuild it. The LP seat in that second is the standard puck type and cost a few dollars or you can make your own with a strip of rubber and a hole punch. Lots of time you can simply flip it over and keep diving. The only big gotcha to watch out for with a Sherwood is the Belville washers in the first stage, they MUST be installed in a certain way, pay close attention when you dissamble the first stage. That old Sherwood will still be chugging along when that fancy $500 reg is landfill material.

 

[redacted]

...no way for 'us' out here on the WWW to be able to answer that......personally, that's why I don't buy fixer-uppers......buy it for $25 and sink another $ 500 in new parts/labor and you could have got a new reg! Your LDS can give you an opinion...and since you will have to go to them for spare parts anyway...kill two birds with one stone.

Or come over to the dark (DIY) side and buy 3 2nd stages for $25 and fix them yourself for next to nothing. I make my own simple LP seats for less than 5 cents each.

 

[slackercruster]

How long do the LP seats lasts? And who sells them on the net?

I bought similar Sherwood Oasis reg (prior model to the one in the OP) for $22 and it does not leak, but it is a little hard breathing.

So it seems that lots of cheap scuba stuff on Ebay has issues. But for $22 to $25 it is worth it just to look inside a reg to see what's inside.

 

[redacted]

Scubatoys is a Sherwood dealer and used to sell parts. Give them a call.

 

[herman]

Off hand I know Bryan at Vintage Double Hose sells them- $3....the same ones fit the old USD DA Aquamasters and RAMs. If you have many, it's just as easy to buy a strip of rubber and a punch and make your own. $20 or so will set you up for many years. The life of them really depends but you should be able to get 2 or 3 years out of one but making them yourself for almost nothing it becomes a non issue. Hard breathing is a totally different matter. If you have not already, your first purchases should be these 2 books, "Reg Savvy" and "SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR". They are a must read for anyone working on regs.