How do I get a regulator off a bottle?

[TAC-ELF]

Hey folks!

My bottle's regulator (a PMI) has developed a leak and I'd like to see if I can fix it. Seem the pin won't seat when I try to turn it off. Obviously this means I need to take the reg off the bottle.

Here are my questions:
1. What is a safe tool to use?
2. Which way do I turn the regulator to remove it? (Looking down directly at the reg)
3. Once I fix it (or replace it) what preparations do I make to the bottle-side threads of the reg?

The bottle is a fiber wrapped one, just in case it matters. I'm only asking because I've never done it before and this is a high-pressure item. There would be consequences if I did it wrong.

[Lefty21]

I would say take it to your local shop just b/c of the possible consequences. But I would use a pipe wrench or an adjustable wrench to remove it....The thread are normal, meaning it's counter-clock wise to take off and clock wise to put on....When you put it back on though make sure there's no debris in the threadings (little metal shavings) or any where else as this will hinder air flow.

[Caffiend]

I'd recommend the pro-shop route also. But if you decide to DIY, make sure the bottle is empty before you take it off. Two strap wrenches should do the trick.

[TAC-ELF]

I'd recommend the pro-shop route also. But if you decide to DIY, make sure the bottle is empty before you take it off. Two strap wrenches should do the trick.

Thanks. Any thread preparation like Teflon for sealing purposes, or it there a oring above the threads for that purpose?

[Asym]

Strap wrench wouldn't budge the reg off the tank for me, kept slipping. I had to use a vise with the rubber jaw covers, the covers had a rounded slot in them so the reg was snug and used a strap wrench on the bottle. Have to remove all the fittings on the side of the reg to do this though.

[ScatterPlot]

My tank is loose enough that when it's empty and I get a good grip on it it will come off. I just make sure to screw it on nice and tight again when I'm done. I'm pretty sure sealants such as teflon, loctite, etc. are no-nos on tanks, as they run the risk of getting into the emergency vent hole, which is a hole located along the threads which will vent air before the tank comes fully unscrewed. But if you did decide on a sealer, I would probably go liquid and put a TEENY amount at the very end of the threads.

[MikeRosenthal]

My tank is loose enough that when it's empty and I get a good grip on it it will come off. I just make sure to screw it on nice and tight again when I'm done. I'm pretty sure sealants such as teflon, loctite, etc. are no-nos on tanks, as they run the risk of getting into the emergency vent hole, which is a hole located along the threads which will vent air before the tank comes fully unscrewed. But if you did decide on a sealer, I would probably go liquid and put a TEENY amount at the very end of the threads.

If the reg is that loose, you shouldn't be using it. It needs to be attached to the bottle using a Torque wrench up to a specific manufacturer specified Force. not willy nilly. And certainly it should never be "hand loose"

Please get it fixed before someone gets seriously hurt by that tank.

-MR

[athomas]

Mine is hand tight. It takes both hands to start it, with the reg fastened to a solid mount. This allows me to remove it easily for traveling. I have never had a problem with tanks coming loose, especially when filled, although I keep an eye on it.

Don't use a sealant. It makes a mess and the tank will be harder to get off the next time. There are a lot of threads on the tank and reg, so there should be a good seal, plus there should be an o-ring between the reg and bottle to provide extra sealing anyway.

[sumorai]

I have an older PMI tank (came with a gun I bought) and it occasionally leaks also. Sounds similar to yours. You unscrew it and it continues letting air out right? I took mine to my local shop and they said it's most likely that the pin was angled when it was screwed into the marker and was bent a little out of shape. I've noticed that the pin sticks further out than the top of the valve also, which may be the cause of this. I screwed mine back into my ASA and then unscrewed it again and it was fine. Just be careful when you screw it in and out and do it slowly.

[athomas]

Actually, to fix this problem on the PMI regs, you need to just take the reg apart and replace the o-ring that the pin seals against. I have several PMI tanks that all had the same problem until that o-ring was changed. You don't even have to take the reg off the tank to do it.

[sumorai]

Got any instructions/pictures for that athomas? What size o-ring is it?

[athomas]

I did have a diagram but it was a while ago that I did it. I'm sure there is one available somehwere here on the internet. The o-ring that I used was one out of one of my mag valve o-ring kits. I'm not sure which one, but I just put the original against all my orings until I found one that matched.

[Rick-USA]

Most of the Pure Energy regs I've seen have a couple of set screws in the uppper silver portion of the reg. These are the lockdown screws for that portion. Loosen them and the top half of the reg will unscrew from the bottom half. You can replace the oring on the pin at that point.

This also comes in handy if you need to change your high pressure tank to a low pressure one. There are shims in the upper half of the reg that adjust the pressure.