5 replies to this topic

[SteveMillerTime]

So I was about to run to the hardware store to fill my CO2 cylinder and decided to open it to see if there was even any in there...lo and behold the damn valve was stuck. I literally put all the damn strength I had into it and nothing (even had a couple other people try it thinking I've become a puny weakling). Not even a budge. It's definitely closed and I noticed I can kinda wiggle it left and right...nothing more though.

 

What makes it so strange is I was just using it about a month ago and the valve opened and closed fine...the bottle never got wet (at least not that I know of). 

 

Has anyone else had this problem? Any idea what I can do?

 

I might just get it hydro tested when my tax return comes in (it's due to be tested in May) and have them fix it...but if I can do it myself and save a few bucks...

Edited by SteveMillerTime, 01 February 2014 - 07:44 PM.

[gnef]

Be VERY careful!

 

If you don't have a regulator attached to the valve, and if there is still liquid CO2 in there, it could become very dangerous very quickly. High pressure is nothing to be laughed at.

 

With that said, I have never had a valve stuck like that before. The wiggle is just the slack in the handle to the fastener most likely.

 

If you really wanted to, you could use some channel lock pliers to give you more torque, and put the tank in a vise if it is small enough.

 

Honestly, I think the best option would be to take it to professionals though, and let them handle it. They may need to replace the valve, which you definitely don't want to do yourself (or at least I should say I would never want to do myself). Going to get it hydrotested sounds good to me!

 

Again, be safe!

[No Party JKor]

You could give the outside of the valve some heat to see if a little expansion would help.  Hit it with a hairdryer until it's warm to the touch.

[SteveMillerTime]

Yea...I'll try heating it up, if it still doesn't budge I'll just take it to get Hydroed and let them fix it.

[matt6150]

Channel locks should help. I previously went through a bunch of O2 tanks at work and would get some stuck ones from time to time and channel locks were the answer.

[SchwanzBrewer]

I had one the got stuck. I let it slowly leak out and traded it in (it was a trade in anyway). I told them and they said it wasn't a big deal.