Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe

Chris · 5th April 2007, 10:08

Guess someone has to be first...

A couple of months ago my dive buddy noticed a stream bubbles coming out between the top of the head and the Solenoid pipe.

On further investigation and after pulling the solenoid out we found that the nut securing the pipe tight and in place had worked its way loose and the pipe to raise a little, this leaving a gap between the pipe and the head.

Not really a big job to take it apart and tighten it up, but it does involve removing the Solenoid. Would it be worthwhile putting a dab of thread lock onto this nut to stop it loosening in future?

Cheers
Chriso

**wedivebc** · 5th April 2007, 12:11

Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris)

Guess someone has to be first...

A couple of months ago my dive buddy noticed a stream bubbles coming out between the top of the head and the Solenoid pipe.

On further investigation and after pulling the solenoid out we found that the nut securing the pipe tight and in place had worked its way loose and the pipe to raise a little, this leaving a gap between the pipe and the head.

Not really a big job to take it apart and tighten it up, but it does involve removing the Solenoid. Would it be worthwhile putting a dab of thread lock onto this nut to stop it loosening in future?

Cheers
Chriso

Had the same thing happen to me while in Mexico. Only time I ever had to miss a dive due to meg problems since I had to get back into Playa to find a 13mm deep socket to tighten the nut.
I think it is because I use it as a handle to pull the head that caused it to loosen.

mortenkjerulff · 5th April 2007, 12:46

Quote: (Originally Posted by wedivebc)

Had the same thing happen to me while in Mexico. Only time I ever had to miss a dive due to meg problems since I had to get back into Playa to find a 13mm deep socket to tighten the nut.
I think it is because I use it as a handle to pull the head that caused it to loosen.

It also happened to me after just one week. Then I stopped using the solenoid as a handle, and have not had problems since.

Amarok · 5th April 2007, 12:53

Quote: (Originally Posted by wedivebc)

Had the same thing happen to me while in Mexico. Only time I ever had to miss a dive due to meg problems since I had to get back into Playa to find a 13mm deep socket to tighten the nut.
I think it is because I use it as a handle to pull the head that caused it to loosen.

Likewise - same problem in Feb in Thailand. Swagelock assembly looks more inviting to boat boys as a lift point rather than the strap. Suggest travel with right size socket head and tubing nut wrench(spanner) in your tool kit as nut size not common in Asia. Trying a handle assy from John @ Narked@90 and if doesnt work going to get guys in shop to Fab something up.
Cheers

cedricverdier · 5th April 2007, 16:29

Hi all,

I would not recommend to pull the lid using the solenoid pipe. However you can have a finger there to help keeping the lid straight when you pull it out using the appropriate handle.

I just had a student with a nice stream of bubbles coming out of his Meg lid. It's a brand new unit but he used the solenoid pipe a few times, enough to slightly bend it --> leak

If the lid is difficult to remove, most of the time a little bit of O2 compatible grease on the O-rings should solve the problem.

Cheers

Gilles · 6th April 2007, 09:31

...and one can also blow into the loop until the OPV opens. The small pressure does wonders to facilitate lid removal.

PacketSniffer · 6th April 2007, 11:28

I had asked Jim (Production Mgr) about 2 months or so ago to see if ISC could incorporate a lifting tab on the Delrin piece that serves as a support bracket for the O2 solenoid pipework. If that Delrin piece was a upside down "L", then it would serve as a nice lift tab.

Skipbreather · 6th April 2007, 13:08

I guess I'm lucky- and now well advised, too. I've been guilty of using the O2 connector to even out the lift forces w/ the regular grip. No leaks yet but I know now to stop before I precipitate one. I like the "slightly pressurize the loop" idea and will give it a try next time.

***Decodiver*** · 6th April 2007, 13:14

It also helps to leave the cylinders on and use them as a lever with your arms resting on them, also if you have the o-ringed dust caps on the cannister remove them before attempting.

Cheers,

Dave Cooper.

Outlaw · 7th April 2007, 21:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris)

Guess someone has to be first...

A couple of months ago my dive buddy noticed a stream bubbles coming out between the top of the head and the Solenoid pipe.

On further investigation and after pulling the solenoid out we found that the nut securing the pipe tight and in place had worked its way loose and the pipe to raise a little, this leaving a gap between the pipe and the head.

Not really a big job to take it apart and tighten it up, but it does involve removing the Solenoid. Would it be worthwhile putting a dab of thread lock onto this nut to stop it loosening in future?

Cheers
Chriso

i am really glad that you have posted this information mate. i am sorry about your unit though.

i must tell you that each time i was to life the head, i was using that as way to pull, and i was pulling hard. Each time i was wondering if that was a good way to pull the head. i remember clearly that i was actually told that this was the way to do it, and there is no way it would break or bent. it shocked me now when i read Cedric's post about someone bending the "L".

i'll go with the pressurizing the loop way, and will let you know what goes on when i test it tomorrow.

Cheers.

spyros

5th April 2007, 10:08	#1 (permalink)
Chris Go Nude Or Go Home Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 609	Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe Guess someone has to be first... A couple of months ago my dive buddy noticed a stream bubbles coming out between the top of the head and the Solenoid pipe. On further investigation and after pulling the solenoid out we found that the nut securing the pipe tight and in place had worked its way loose and the pipe to raise a little, this leaving a gap between the pipe and the head. Not really a big job to take it apart and tighten it up, but it does involve removing the Solenoid. Would it be worthwhile putting a dab of thread lock onto this nut to stop it loosening in future? Cheers Chriso __________________ Megalodon Sorb and Sensors whilst in Australia www.divetub.com.au Diving & Photography @ www.uwphotog.com
(Offline)

5th April 2007, 12:11	#2 (permalink)
wedivebc Dave Tomblin Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,444	Re: Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris) Guess someone has to be first... A couple of months ago my dive buddy noticed a stream bubbles coming out between the top of the head and the Solenoid pipe. On further investigation and after pulling the solenoid out we found that the nut securing the pipe tight and in place had worked its way loose and the pipe to raise a little, this leaving a gap between the pipe and the head. Not really a big job to take it apart and tighten it up, but it does involve removing the Solenoid. Would it be worthwhile putting a dab of thread lock onto this nut to stop it loosening in future? Cheers Chriso Had the same thing happen to me while in Mexico. Only time I ever had to miss a dive due to meg problems since I had to get back into Playa to find a 13mm deep socket to tighten the nut. I think it is because I use it as a handle to pull the head that caused it to loosen. __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
(Online)

5th April 2007, 12:46	#3 (permalink)
mortenkjerulff Customise Me! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 143	Re: Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe Quote: (Originally Posted by wedivebc) Had the same thing happen to me while in Mexico. Only time I ever had to miss a dive due to meg problems since I had to get back into Playa to find a 13mm deep socket to tighten the nut. I think it is because I use it as a handle to pull the head that caused it to loosen. It also happened to me after just one week. Then I stopped using the solenoid as a handle, and have not had problems since.
(Online)

5th April 2007, 12:53	#4 (permalink)
Amarok New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 72	Re: Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe Quote: (Originally Posted by wedivebc) Had the same thing happen to me while in Mexico. Only time I ever had to miss a dive due to meg problems since I had to get back into Playa to find a 13mm deep socket to tighten the nut. I think it is because I use it as a handle to pull the head that caused it to loosen. Likewise - same problem in Feb in Thailand. Swagelock assembly looks more inviting to boat boys as a lift point rather than the strap. Suggest travel with right size socket head and tubing nut wrench(spanner) in your tool kit as nut size not common in Asia. Trying a handle assy from John @ Narked@90 and if doesnt work going to get guys in shop to Fab something up. Cheers
(Offline)

5th April 2007, 16:29	#5 (permalink)
cedricverdier S21 M.I.B. Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Worldwide! Posts: 497	Re: Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe Hi all, I would not recommend to pull the lid using the solenoid pipe. However you can have a finger there to help keeping the lid straight when you pull it out using the appropriate handle. I just had a student with a nice stream of bubbles coming out of his Meg lid. It's a brand new unit but he used the solenoid pipe a few times, enough to slightly bend it --> leak If the lid is difficult to remove, most of the time a little bit of O2 compatible grease on the O-rings should solve the problem. Cheers __________________ Cedric Verdier PADI Course Director, ANDI-IANTD-PSAI-TDI-DSAT-DAN-NAUI-CMAS Instructor Trainer Trimix (CCR and OC) and Cave Diving Instructor Trainer www.CedricVerdier.com DIRrebreather member
(Offline)

6th April 2007, 09:31	#6 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 762	Re: Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe ...and one can also blow into the loop until the OPV opens. The small pressure does wonders to facilitate lid removal. __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com
(Offline)

6th April 2007, 11:28	#7 (permalink)
PacketSniffer ~~~~~ #417 ~~~~~ Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 437	Re: Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe I had asked Jim (Production Mgr) about 2 months or so ago to see if ISC could incorporate a lifting tab on the Delrin piece that serves as a support bracket for the O2 solenoid pipework. If that Delrin piece was a upside down "L", then it would serve as a nice lift tab. Attached Images __________________ Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.
(Offline)

6th April 2007, 13:08	#8 (permalink)
Skipbreather Reads the fine print Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet MK 15.X Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA Posts: 557	Re: Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe I guess I'm lucky- and now well advised, too. I've been guilty of using the O2 connector to even out the lift forces w/ the regular grip. No leaks yet but I know now to stop before I precipitate one. I like the "slightly pressurize the loop" idea and will give it a try next time. __________________ "Entropy RULES! Enjoy the interim."
(Offline)

6th April 2007, 13:14	#9 (permalink)
*Decodiver* Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneva Posts: 2,181	Re: Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe It also helps to leave the cylinders on and use them as a lever with your arms resting on them, also if you have the o-ringed dust caps on the cannister remove them before attempting. Cheers, Dave Cooper. __________________ CCR/OC Trimix Instructor Trainer CCR Training to Mixed Gas in Switzerland, France, UK & Germany on Megalodon/COPIS-Megalodon/KISS/Sport KISS/Ouroboros/rEvo/Inspiration/Evolution/Sentinel www.zerogravitydiving.com Rebreather World Terms & Conditions
(Offline)

7th April 2007, 21:50	#10 (permalink)
Outlaw In search of Law breaking Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cyprus, Nicosia Posts: 634	Re: Leak between the head and Solenoid pipe Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris) Guess someone has to be first... A couple of months ago my dive buddy noticed a stream bubbles coming out between the top of the head and the Solenoid pipe. On further investigation and after pulling the solenoid out we found that the nut securing the pipe tight and in place had worked its way loose and the pipe to raise a little, this leaving a gap between the pipe and the head. Not really a big job to take it apart and tighten it up, but it does involve removing the Solenoid. Would it be worthwhile putting a dab of thread lock onto this nut to stop it loosening in future? Cheers Chriso i am really glad that you have posted this information mate. i am sorry about your unit though. i must tell you that each time i was to life the head, i was using that as way to pull, and i was pulling hard. Each time i was wondering if that was a good way to pull the head. i remember clearly that i was actually told that this was the way to do it, and there is no way it would break or bent. it shocked me now when i read Cedric's post about someone bending the "L". i'll go with the pressurizing the loop way, and will let you know what goes on when i test it tomorrow. Cheers. spyros __________________ CMAS - IANTD - TDI Kamikazi Instrustor Trainer DIRRebreather Team Member ---------------------------- "Once an Outlaw, always an Outlaw"
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode