Clean/check those CO2 lines and manifolds!

[devils4ever]

All,

In another thread, I mentioned I was changing out my CO2 lines and manifolds for all new ones since it's been about 5 years since installation. I had two 2-way manifolds bolted together to feed my 4 kegs. I wanted to replace it with a proper 4-way manifold and use one of the 2-way manifolds on another CO2 tank and regulator.

Anyway, I took apart the 2-way manifold and found a mess inside. I guess some beer made its way into the manifold over the years. It was disguising!!! There was kind of a dark sludge in there. I was using red C02 line so I couldn't see what was inside the lines. I thought the manifold had check valves, but maybe not! After disassembly of the valves I could pass a thin screwdriver all the way through the valve! Doesn't this mean this isn't a check valve?

So, I replaced the CO2 lines with clear ones from "Adventures in Homebrewing" so I could see if beer was backing up into lines. I ordered 100' of 5/16" X 9/16" Thickwall PVC lines. Enough for a while! The clear line is much more flexible than the red stuff.

So, I suggest you check your CO2 lines and manifolds for cleanliness and use clear CO2 lines! Lesson learned!

 

[day_trippr]

If you can run a thin probe completely through a shut-off valve there is definitely no check valve integrated therein...

 

[devils4ever]

That's what I thought. I'm fairly certain they were SUPPOSED to be check valve when I bought them from kegconnection.com. Oh well!

 

[Aristoi]

I just cleaned mine too and they were dirty after 1 year. Ran BLC through since I was doing my beer lines. I have a downward bend in my incoming line before my manifold (check valves work) almost like a P trap and noticed an accumulation of a green liquid. Did not look beer related. Does CO2 have moisture or can some liquid CO2 make it past the regulator. Anyone else see this or know what it could be?