HELP!!!!!!!!!

[robertwestley]

I have just transfered my brew into a keg all going swell then i noticed that the seal around the tap is leaking. so i unscrewed it losing all the built up pressure an dthought i'd resealed it ok but now the pressure has built up again and it is leaking again. I do have a cap with a pressure release valve fitted. Any suggestions would be greatly recieved.

Rob

[Barm]

You can try applying a good smear of vaseline to the mating faces of tap body, seal and keg. Try to avoid getting it on the thread though - it can make make getting the nut stay tight hard. Also make sure the seal ring isn't damaged, and that the mating face on the keg is clean and flat - no swarf/lumps and bumps etc. Sometimes they're not finished terribly well and require a little attention to get a good sealing face.
And perversely - don't over-tighten the tap nut; this can deform the seal and cause leaks.

[Philip Parsons]

I had the same issue recently on my first brew. I put vaseline over the pressure release valve, but forgot to smear it over the tap. In the short term I gave up try to stop the leak and transferred into bottles instead, but I'll remember next time!

[mickhew]

To add, if this is the budget type barrel, I've had exactly the same problem, and no longer use either of my 2 barrels. I had to resort to using PTFE tape, and Fernox plumbers sealant, to stop the leaks. Way too much hassle, I now bottle. I blame the release valves, not releasing the excess pressure, and the pressure finds the weakest point, the tap seal.

[Barm]

yeh - I always had doubts over the reliability of those 'rubber-band' relief valves....
It's just one of the reasons why I switched to the 'widget' system: obviously more expensive, but at least you get a 'proper' relief valve, and a pressure gauge so you can see what's going on.