Stuck Mouthpiece

Tino de Rijk · 7th January 2008, 13:27

One general warning: there is silicone grease, and there is silicone grease...... It comes in quite a few levels of thickness/density. The silicone grease I use is almost water-thin (like balsam). If you use the thicker variety, e.g. the stuff from german manufacturer Bayer, then it gets real sticky and solid when cold. So shop for the thinnest variety you can get.
Same goes for O2 greases: check the "thickness". It should be quite thin (sort of like shampoo). and of course, only use a VERY little bit: let the O-rings slip through your fingers to which you attached just a drop of grease. Do not put grease into the grooves, just grease the rings themselves.

ciao,

Tino.

Quote: (Originally Posted by TheBcDiver)

I've encountered the same problem as this on my inspo. I think its down to a combination of tight tolerances and the debilitating effects of cold water and manual dexterity.

I tried stripping the mouthpeice down and regreasing it with silicone grease but with not much effect. I also got a pair of 5mm three finger mitts which helped a fair bit as i was still able to use my hands compared to what they were like with 3mm five finger gloves.

Mdemon · 7th January 2008, 13:54

This is spot in. In my experience too, slacking off the collars a fraction and re-fitting the screws is the definitive solution. I would suggest that you strip/clean/lube and also buy the excellent narked@90 screw first anyway.

Quote: (Originally Posted by MAD)

I've had the same problem in the past...

Stripping and regreasing has little effect, tried it lots of times.

In the end it turned out that it was indeed down to the "tight tolerances".

The resolution was to slightly (VERY slightly) slacken off the threaded rings (collars) that attach the assembly to the hoses.

Remove the two little screws, slacken the rings by a degree or so (VERY slightly) put the two screws back.

Reassemble the 'breather and do a normal positive and negative check.

If all OK, stick the hose and mouthpiece in the freezer for 20 minutes and see if you can still move it.

If so, then job done....

Worked for me.

As the unit get's very cold, the material contracts, pulling the collars tighter onto the central cylinder of the mouthpiece making it impossible to move. Do make sure you do you positive and negative checks though.

I know lot's of people who have had much heartache with this, including the use of sandpaper

Mark

7th January 2008, 13:27	#21 (permalink)
Tino de Rijk Old, maybe one day wise Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 375	Re: Stuck Mouthpiece One general warning: there is silicone grease, and there is silicone grease...... It comes in quite a few levels of thickness/density. The silicone grease I use is almost water-thin (like balsam). If you use the thicker variety, e.g. the stuff from german manufacturer Bayer, then it gets real sticky and solid when cold. So shop for the thinnest variety you can get. Same goes for O2 greases: check the "thickness". It should be quite thin (sort of like shampoo). and of course, only use a VERY little bit: let the O-rings slip through your fingers to which you attached just a drop of grease. Do not put grease into the grooves, just grease the rings themselves. ciao, Tino. Quote: (Originally Posted by TheBcDiver) I've encountered the same problem as this on my inspo. I think its down to a combination of tight tolerances and the debilitating effects of cold water and manual dexterity. I tried stripping the mouthpeice down and regreasing it with silicone grease but with not much effect. I also got a pair of 5mm three finger mitts which helped a fair bit as i was still able to use my hands compared to what they were like with 3mm five finger gloves.
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7th January 2008, 13:54	#22 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,946	Re: Stuck Mouthpiece This is spot in. In my experience too, slacking off the collars a fraction and re-fitting the screws is the definitive solution. I would suggest that you strip/clean/lube and also buy the excellent narked@90 screw first anyway. Quote: (Originally Posted by MAD) I've had the same problem in the past... Stripping and regreasing has little effect, tried it lots of times. In the end it turned out that it was indeed down to the "tight tolerances". The resolution was to slightly (VERY slightly) slacken off the threaded rings (collars) that attach the assembly to the hoses. Remove the two little screws, slacken the rings by a degree or so (VERY slightly) put the two screws back. Reassemble the 'breather and do a normal positive and negative check. If all OK, stick the hose and mouthpiece in the freezer for 20 minutes and see if you can still move it. If so, then job done.... Worked for me. As the unit get's very cold, the material contracts, pulling the collars tighter onto the central cylinder of the mouthpiece making it impossible to move. Do make sure you do you positive and negative checks though. I know lot's of people who have had much heartache with this, including the use of sandpaper Mark __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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