CO2 leaks

[Spelt]

I built my own CO2 distribution manifold for my keezer project. Unfortunately, despite the teflon tape and some heavy duty wrenches, I cannot get an airtight seal of the various brass parts. Of drained my CO2 cylinder twice via leaks I couldn't detect using soapy water. Does anyone have a reliable trick for getting a reliable seal on threaded brass parts?

[ajdelange]

The fact that you cannot detect the leaks with soapy water but the tank is still losing gas suggests that you are looking in the wrong place. Teflon tape is usually sufficient to stop leaks though I do have to say that I have experienced brass fittings which are somehow defective and could not be tightened sufficiently to stop water leaks. But it was obvious that the leak was there. I'd fill the bathtub and lower the whole shooting match into that - bottle, regulator, manifold, tubing and all. Look for bubbles. After doing this take the covers off the gauges and blow out any water that got in there with compressed air.

[PSUHomebrewer]

Did you check your pressure release valves on your keg?
I had one that didn't seal properly once and drained a bottle over night. The strange part was when I first added the gas and checked for leaks there wasn't one. Later I find it's the gasket on the release. I rapped it in Teflon tape and it fixed the issue and a little keg lube didn't hurt.

Also did you get the fittings that are rated for gas? The tolerances on the ball valves are different depending on which valve you get. Just because it's water tight doesn't mean it's air tight.

[captain carrot]

Check the o-rings on the outside of the keg posts. Take a small screw driver and slip it between the o-ring and the post. Cracks will show in the o-ring if it is dry rotted. Wouldn't hurt to replace them all if you haven't recently. I've found the seal between the regulator and CO2 bottle to be a weak point as well as the regulator diaphragm. There should be a small hole in the face of the regulator where gas will leak out if the diaphragm is bad. Spray these point with your soapy water solution and see what you find.
Good Luck!

[Spelt]

Its all going in to the bathtub today. Kegs are all just recently re-gasketed but I have not checked the pressure relief valve. Didn't know the ball valves might not be gas-rated so will look into that as well. Thanks for the ideas folks.

[Elbone]

Its all going in to the bathtub today. Kegs are all just recently re-gasketed but I have not checked the pressure relief valve. Didn't know the ball valves might not be gas-rated so will look into that as well. Thanks for the ideas folks.

If you have access to a swimming pool, it's much easier than wrestling it all into a bathtub.