Leaking picnic tap

[one_dead_soul]

So I got 6 new picnic taps a few weeks ago. And they all leak under pressure. (about 8 psi according to my junky old regulator). All of my old ones (4 or 5 years old) don't leak at all. They leak from the actual spigot. I'll fill a glass then release the handle and about 75% of the time they will have a fast drip. sometimes even a good stream. So after each poor I need to fidget with the handle. Then when it looks like its stopped I'll put it away. Half the time to just find a small puddle at the bottom of the kegerater. This is getting very....... .. . Very old. None of my old one do this. Hell. I can leave my old ones on during carbonating at 15-20 psi and they don't even think of leaking. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do to fix this.. If it was just one I would replace it but seeing as its all of them. It may be a waist of time. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks guys

Cheers
Tom

[Ozwald]

I would recommend taking them completely apart & cleaning them. I'd also put the slightest touch of keg lube on the clear silicon part & run a few pints of starsan through them. Hope this helps.

[Buttwidget]

I would suggest looking at the tap and seeing if you can tighten the top (see image) piece.



I've purchased taps where this was loose and had the same problem. I would almost guarantee this is the issue.

~widget

[one_dead_soul]

They have all been taken apart and cleaned with starsan. Nothing.. When I've tried to tighten the top part it dosnt change anything either.. So maybe I will try the keg lube.

[Ozwald]

They have all been taken apart and cleaned with starsan. Nothing.. When I've tried to tighten the top part it dosnt change anything either.. So maybe I will try the keg lube.

Technically StarSan isn't a cleaning agent. A hot PBW solution or even soap & hot water in this particular case could possibly help you out. The seals could possibly be slightly deformed as well. When I take mine apart for cleaning, I use the hottest water my tap will provide for the PBW solution. The silicon gets a little more pliable this way & has a better chance to seat when you put it together - the hottest rinse you can get also helps to soften & give the silicon that tacky feel. Work the lever while in the hot PBW as well.

I'm a big fan of keg lube & use it every time I'm replacing my rubbers It's not really designed for this particular use, but it'll work with no bad side effects. Just use the slightest dab & spread it *very* thinly around the seal & ensure there's no cross-threading when you reassemble it tightly. Don't use your cold StarSan until you're ready to test your work & to sanitize, as well as flushing out any extra lube if you used any.

Best of luck with your second (and hopefully last) attempt.

[alan_marks]

I'm a big fan of keg lube & use it every time I'm replacing my rubbers

...and how many times do you actually USE your rubbers? Do you get extra long "tread life"?

[Ozwald]

I'm a big fan of keg lube & use it every time I'm replacing my rubbers

...and how many times do you actually USE your rubbers? Do you get extra long "tread life"?

I believe in changing them as frequently as possible to prevent any... unwanted fermentations.