Corny keg / poppet problem

[bosium]

So, I have a problem. I have three kegs, which I got from Norm. When I pulled them apart, I found that while the post O-rings and big lid O-ring looked OK, the rubber O-rings on the dip tubes were crushed and perished and the poppets also looked a little knackered as did the pressure relief valves. So, I got full O-ring replacement kits from Norm and replaced them, as well as new poppets. I have not yet replaced the pressure relief valves but that's next on my list.

Well, I had no problem with the first two kegs - I replaced the O-rings and poppets and everything was good to go. However, the third keg has presented a problem. When I took the posts out of the keg, I noticed that the two poppets were not the same. When I re-assembled the keg, I found that the keg will not hold pressure - there seems to be a fairly slow leak. I suspect that it is coming from the gas-post, as the poppet never wants to seat properly and seldom seals first-time (or at all) when I remove the gas-post. It looks like the poppet is not seating straight in the post, no matter how many times I remove the post and try and fiddle with the poppet, the result is the same.

The problem is, the keg is full of beer which I am trying to lager. Yes, I know I should have checked for pressure with soapy water etc before I filled it with beer, guess you live and learn. Now I am really afraid that air will get in and stale my lager, so I keep topping it up with pressure twice a day or so. On the other hand I also do not want to have to keep disturbing it while I am trying to lager it.

Has anyone else had this problem, or could possibly shed some light on this?

[jubby]

I had a similar problem. Remove the post and extract the poppet then take a good look at the poppet seat inside the post. I found mine had pitted, probably due to the acidic nature of the stuff that it used to dispense. so even with a new poppet, it would never seal. In your case, i would just buy another post rather than risk the beer. Barleybottom have them, but make sure you order the right type, as the threads change.

[Parva]

Leaving the C02 connected to the post (but turned off) will also work as a temporary fix until you get replacement parts.

[bosium]

Leaving the C02 connected to the post (but turned off) will also work as a temporary fix until you get replacement parts.

Hmm, I tried this but the keg still lost pressure. I guess it must be leaking from somewhere else. I read somewhere that sometimes there can be a remnant of the old lid O-ring stuck inside the keg which can stop the new O-ring from sealing. I think
I'll have to reluctantly re-rack to a serving keg at the weekend and continue the lagering in the new keg. I'll pressure test that one first, of course.

[Hoodlum]

Likewise if the leaky poppet is on the "out" post I use a tap fitted to a quick disconnect to stem the leaky dribble of beer.

[bosium]

Likewise if the leaky poppet is on the "out" post I use a tap fitted to a quick disconnect to stem the leaky dribble of beer.

Yeah I tried that, unfortunately my disconnects use John Guest fittings and they didn't seem to hold the pressure without leaking beer in my fridge. Having said that, I didn't notice any beer leaking from the out post without a disconnect fitted - is it possible gas could come out of the out post?

[Parva]

Likewise if the leaky poppet is on the "out" post I use a tap fitted to a quick disconnect to stem the leaky dribble of beer.

Yeah I tried that, unfortunately my disconnects use John Guest fittings and they didn't seem to hold the pressure without leaking beer in my fridge. Having said that, I didn't notice any beer leaking from the out post without a disconnect fitted - is it possible gas could come out of the out post?

Nope, not without beer leaking from it also. Your JG fittings shouldn't leak unless you have an insanely high pressure set. Try pushing the tube in very hard, it's easy to push it so far and think you've got it seated when in fact it needs that extra push to get it tightly seated into the correct position.