The Most Difficult Spot to Check for CO2 Leaks
Updated: December 18, 2024
If you’ve found this article odds are pretty good you’re having trouble tracking down a pesky leaks.
Check for CO2 Leaks
First things first, if you haven’t already used traditional methods to try to track down your leak, check out my resources on the topic.
- Step by Step: Finding and Fixing Keg CO2 Leaks
- Checking for Draft System CO2 Leaks – Using The Pressure Gauge Method
The Most Difficult Spot to Check for CO2 Leaks…
Even a small leak can cause your beer to carbonate slowly (or not at all) and lead to… empty CO2 tanks. That’s a waste of time and money and it’s frustrating.
Color coded post o-rings. From our Keg Rebuild Post – Jump To: Replace O-Rings
In my opinion the most difficult spot to check and the cause of many a lost CO2 tanks are… gas post o-rings.
Testing at this point using the “spray bottle method” (spray Star San everywhere and check for bubbles) is impossible or at the very least difficult and messy. Leaks will only surface here when a gas QD is actually engaged. The problem is, you can’t easily see that spot when a QD is on.
The problem stated more simply… You need a QD on to see if it’s leaking, but you can’t see it if a QD is on. You can use what I call the pressure gauge method to check for overall leaks. But even using that method you know that you have a leak but it gives no indication where it’s at.
Be quick to replace gas side o-rings… I’m quick to replace gas post (and gas dip tube) o-rings. Beyond slow and no-carbing beers, a bad gas side o-ring can lead to empty tanks. That’s a waste of time and money and it’s frustrating.
These o-rings cost pennies each when you buy them in bulk. Liberally replacing these can save time, money and frustration.
- Keg Post O-Rings
- Keg Dip Tube O-Rings
- Full Lineup of Bulk Food Grade O-Rings
- Bulk Keg Orings and Keg Repair Part Numbers
Related:
- Step by Step: Finding and Fixing Keg CO2 Leaks
- Checking for Draft System CO2 Leaks – Using The Pressure Gauge Method
- How Often Should You Replace Keg O-Rings? – A Proposed Schedule for Keeping Kegs in Great Shape
- Why Won’t My Homebrew Carbonate? Fixing Beer Carbonation Problems
- Rebuilding & Reconditioning Homebrew Kegs!
Related: Check Your Regulator for Leaks!
Color Code Keg Post O-Rings for Easy Identification:
Valuebrew carries two color schemes to color keg posts. Doing this allows you to quickly identify keg posts. Gray and Black match standard keg QD colors. Blue and Green are meant to be remembered by “Blue for Beer” and “Green for Gas”. All options are made from FDA rated silicone. Since they work equally well on gas and liquid posts you can also mix and match to come up with your own color coding standard.
Also: Kegerator Tips & Gear | Keg Repair Part #s | Recent Keg Finds
Our Top Draft Resources!
Check our our Top Draft Related Resources- Commentary: Pin Lock Keg Pricing and Availability
- Check Your CO2 Regulator for Leaks!
- How to get a keg ready for first use? New Keg Cleaning and Prep
- Portable Draft Beer Serving Options!
- Pin Lock Keg Pricing and Availability
- The Most Difficult Spot to Check for CO2 Leaks
- Keg O-Ring Materials Selection! – EPDM, Silicone and Buna-N?
- Why Do I Have Bubbles in My Beer Line? Diagnosing and Fixing Kegerator Foam Problems
- Five Benefits of Using Corny Kegs As Fermenters
- Rebuilding & Reconditioning Homebrew Kegs!
- Food Safe Replacement Keg O-Rings in Bulk
- Hands on Review: Kegland DuoTight Fittings & EVABarrier Tubing!
- Why Won’t My Beer Carbonate? Fixing Draft Beer Carbonation Problems
- What Does a Flow Control Faucet Do?
- Upgrade Your Kegerator – 6 Improvements!
- Serve Homebrew on Any Kegerator & Convert Commercial Kegerator to Homebrew
- Tips and Gear for Growler Filling
- What’s the Difference Between Ball Lock Kegs and Pin Lock Kegs?
- Checking for Draft System CO2 Leaks – Using The Pressure Gauge Method
- Tip: Consider Oetiker Stepless Clamps for Kegerator Gas and Beer Lines
- Hands On Review: Inkbird ITC-308 Dual Stage Temperature Controller +WiFi Version
- Universal Poppets Tips and Tricks!
- Convert Your Mark II Keg & Carboy Washer to a Recirculating Draft Line Cleaning Pump!
- Step by Step: Finding and Fixing Keg CO2 Leaks
- Kegerator Temperature Probe Placement – To Immerse or Not To Immerse? – three tests to determine optimal pla…
- Kegerator Beer Line Temperatures & Reducing Foam with a Recirculating Fan
- Kegging CO2 Use Estimations and Calculations
- Balancing Your Kegerator Draft System
- Building a Simple Ball Lock Draft Line Flushing Setup
- Build a Recirculating Draft Line Cleaning Pump
- Home Brew Keg Roundup – New & Used, 5 and 2.5 Gallon & More!
- Damp Kegerator? Fix Kegerator Condensation
- Homebrew Temp Controller Roundup! – Kegerator and Fermentation – concepts, applications and models
- Bulk Keg Orings and Keg Parts Reference
This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
greatdeals
More Homebrew Finds!
- Last 50 Finds!
- Top Deals – a curated list of the best deals
- Homebrew Reviews – one of the largest libraries of homebrew reviews in existence!
- Our Top Posts – tips, how-tos, resources posts and more
This is a Top Post! See: All Top Posts
Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application. Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application. Always read and follow manufacturer directions. tag:lnksfxd toppost:diffco2leak tag:tpr