How To Find a CO2 Leak

If you know or suspect your beer dispensing system has a CO2 leak, there are few things more frustrating than trying to figure out exactly where that leak is located. To help cut down on that frustration, we've assembled a How-To Guide that walks you through the most common leak detection techniques!

Spot-It Gas Leak Detector Fluid

One of the easiest ways to find your CO2 leak is with the fast-acting Spot-It Gas Leak Detector Fluid. It works by producing a large bubble at the location of the leak on your beer or beverage regulator. The bubbles cling to the surface for easy identification and are fluorescent under a black light. It's non-hazardous and non-toxic, and has been rated from -30 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Manual CO2 Leak Inspections

The Clamps

Your first check should be clamps, starting at the tank and working your way to the keg tap. All of them should be tight without cutting into the hose. Never use two clamps on one connection, as this can cause a leak.

The Regulator

The next check should be the regulator. Turn the toggle on the regulator sideways to shut off the gas supply to the hose (the gas is on if the toggle arm is inline with the CO2 hose). Open your gas tank valve until the needles on the gauges move up, then close the valve on the tank. The needles on the gauges should stay where they are if there’s not a leak (if it’s a slow leak, they may take some time to go down). If they go down, the problem is in the regulator. Usually it's the regulator diaphragm causing the problem, but there may also be a defective gauge or toggle. This is more likely to be the cause if a gauge or toggle has recently been replaced - it may be leaking where they connect to the regulator. You can use either plumbers tape or sealing compound to help prevent air leaks at the pipe threads.

The Keg Coupler

Still haven't found the leak? Time to move on to your keg coupler. Un-tap the keg, then follow the procedures above, this time making sure that the toggle is pointing to the CO2 line, meaning gas is going into the line. If signs point to a leak in this section and your clamps are tight, then the issue must be with your keg coupler. The first place to look is at the gas seals located on the probe and/or on the inside of the coupler's body (depending on make). These could need replacing. To reduce friction and make the replacement seals last longer, we recommend using Lubri-Film Food Safe Lubricant on the O-ring and the inside of the coupler body.

Another section of the keg coupler that could by leaking is where it seals to the keg. If either the keg seal or the probe seal is missing, they will need to be replaced. It could also be that you have a damaged keg that is preventing a proper seal, in which case you will need to call your beer distributor to remedy the problem.