It's not always an o-ring

[Rodeo]

I was tracking down a persistent leak on a regulator for a small bottle. I replaced the bottle neck o-ring (twice) but it still leaked. Upon closer inspection with a large magnifying glass, I found this:

Yup, that's a hairline crack in the reg body where the reg to tank o-ring sits. 4500 psi tank. Be very, very careful out there folks.

 

[Alan_B]

Oh My. What's the history of the bottle? Anything we can learn there??

Always pays to inspect things carefully.

 

[bandg]

Certainly attention getting. Glad you caught it.

 

[PumaCarl]

Now, as to previously unheard of problems, this is worrisome! Catching this without using Leak Detector is a very commendable achievement. Congratulations, but get some Leak Detector.

 

[Rodeo]

Tank and valve are less than 5 yrs old. Homemade leak detector is how I found the leak was between bottle and reg. I thought it was the o-ring but after replacing it twice and still leaking I started looking closer. I was actually expecting to find a scratch since I had the reg out previously to add a shim.

 

[vdwb]

Is that a Ninja regulator? Just curious about the brand, Ninja X is gold anodized. If USA? made regulators are doing this what about all the Chinese one's out there.

 

[Rodeo]

It is from an Air Venturi tank. I think that they use Ninja regs. Don't get alarmed. Pretty sure that it was caused by me when I rebuilt the reg. Might have over tightened the fill nipple as that is the side with the crack. I'm not trying to point fingers at the reg manufacturer. Just want to warn others to be mindful and diligent when dealing with HPA.