How to Check & Test CO2 Gas Lines for Leaks: A Comprehensive Guide

One of the greatest fears for many home brewers using CO2 tanks and kegs for carbonating and dispensing their beer is the possibility of a leak in their gas lines. Even the tiniest of leaks can empty a full CO2 bottle overnight, causing unnecessary inconvenience and expense.

Tools You Need

A highly effective tool for tracking down a CO2 leak is a trigger spray bottle filled with water and a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid. Spraying this solution onto hoses and connections will cause bubbles to form wherever there's a gas leak.

Step-by-Step Process to Isolate and Track Down Leaks

1. Isolate the Problem Area

• Disconnect your gas line from any kegs it may be connected to.
• Open the gas on your bottle and adjust your CO2 regulator pressure to 10 psi.
• Close the gas from your bottle and leave it overnight.

2. Check the Regulator Pressure

• Close the gas bottle valve overnight. In the morning, check the regulator pressure gauge values to ensure they haven't dropped to zero. Some reduction in pressure may occur due to changes in atmospheric temperature, but a significant drop to zero indicates a leak.

3. Identify the Leak Source

If the pressure has dropped to zero, you have a leak. Since you've disconnected the gas line from your kegs, the leak is likely in one of the following areas:

• The connection between the gas bottle and gas regulator
• The regulator housing (including gauge connections)
• The regulator output/connection to your gas lines
• The disconnect on the end of your gas line(s)

4. Use the Dishwashing Liquid Solution

• Spray the dishwashing liquid solution onto the areas mentioned above and watch for bubbles forming and moving. Bubbles will automatically form when you spray, but moving and popping bubbles indicate the presence of a gas leak.
  
  

  

  An example of bubbles after a gas disconnect being sprayed. Bubbles are OK - moving/popping bubbles are not
  

5. Test the keg connections

• The next step would be to pressurise your keg(s) and spray the dishwashing liquid solution over the lid, posts and PRV to if any bubbles form

Fixing the Leaks

• Most leaks are easily fixed by tightening the fittings/connections. It's knowing which connections need to be tightened that is the problem.

Share Your Experience

Have you had problems with gas leaks in your setup? Let me know in the comments below

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