Co2 tank has pressure but not producing bubbles

myswtsins

myswtsins

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Jun 15, 2008
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10lb tank with the Milwaukee MA... whatever regulator (with everything attached) that everyone has. :)

I have had my Co2 tank running on and off for about a year a half with no issues. A few days ago I noticed the bubbles were coming out VERY VERY slow so I figured I was running out of CO2 but I still had pressure, 50+. I tried opening the needle valve all the way and the rate of bubbles did not change, even when I tried to closing the needle valve it continued producing bubbles (slowly). I tried closes the valve on the regulator and the right gauge went up but when I reopened the valve the gauge did not go back down. I removed the whole regulator from the tank just to make sure my pressure gauge was not broken and sure enough when I crack the valve open CO2 comes out. The right gauge still did not go down so I thought blown right gauge no big deal but when I reattached it to tank it went back down. I'm out of ideas & this is my first time dealing with CO2 or regulators, any ideas?
 
did you check for an obstruction in the line/diffuser/check valve? You could try a regular piece of airline tubing in place of the regular co2 line just to see if it is producing like it should be, would help narrow down your issue.
 
you have no bubbles in the bubble counter?

You can unscrew the clear plastic part from the needle valve and make sure the connection hasn't corroded.
Also with the bubble counter remover you can open up the needle valve and make sure gas is coming out.
I had to replace the needle valve on mine already, and the low pressure gauge as well, so my forst suspicion would be the needle valve.
 
Zigman is THE man! Thanks! I was doing all my testing with no CO2 tubing connected so I knew it was the needle valve or before but I was scared to start taking it apart. :D I took the bubble counter off and couldn't see any obvious blockage or corroding so I took the needle valve off and tested to see if any CO2 came out of the solenoid (which is what I think you were trying to say?) and I got gas! lol

Short version - I took apart the needle valve and cleaned it out, found some whitish build up, blew it out with the air compressor, put it back together, hooked it up and viola works like new!

Thank you!! :worthy:
 
I think I will be picking up some extra parts myself!
 
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