Beer in the c02 line

[AndyPolley]

I have a Haier brewmaster kegerator and I am, of course, having a foam issue with each pour. My current keg of Flying Dog Pale Ale is having a somewhat explosive burst of foam with each and every pour. This isn’t the warm tower foam, this is a burst of gas that turns each glass into about 80% foam. Bubbles are noticeable in the beer line and seem to be coming up from the coupler. I had the same problem with my last keg, and thought it might have been a keg issue, but now I’m thinking that I have a kegerator issue. A few kegs ago, I replaced my regulator, which was shot when beer snuck up through the c02 line and got into it. I have replaced the Haier gas line with a see-through line so I can monitor this problem. Even though I never turn my c02 below 8psi or so, I’ve noticed beer still sneaking into the c02 line and attempting to get up and into my nice new dual gage regulator. Is this a problem with my coupler? My sister has the same unit that I do and she doesn’t seem to run into these problems.

I’m about to do an overhaul of the unit. I’ll be replacing the beer line, re-sealing the door and am getting the parts together to cool the tower. While I’m at it, I’m thinking of replacing my coupler. Should I?

Current set up has 5’ of 3/16 I.D. beer line, box temp is about 34 degrees, beer pours at about 39 degrees. c02 is currently set at 10 PSI. I’d appreciate any advice you have.

[hippityhop]

Sounds to me like the check valve... Its "duck-billed" neoprene type material that fits between the coupler and co2 line... check this link.. its number 10... This is what i have been told the only mechanism that keeps the beer out of the co2.
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...pid-7485E.html

[AndyPolley]

Thanks for the reply.

I took apart the coupler and inspected the rubbery check valve contained within. It was certainly moist with beer…on all sides. There’s also a broken piece of plastic off the check ball retainer (part #1) on the top of the thing. Thinking “the heck with it,” I just got back from my local homebrew shop with a new coupler and an independent in-line check valve kind of like this one only each side has a barbed end. http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...d-1600CAB.html

I just hooked everything up and am patiently waiting (actually, I had to get back to the office) for the beer to properly re-carbonate. I’ll report more this evening, after I’ve had a chance to pour a few.

[jackstraw]

A check valve like that is not a bad idea. I have one that I use when kegging homebrew.

It sounds like you just need a new coupler. After a while, the seals and gaskets wear out.

I had a similar problem with my G coupler that I use for Anchor Steam. I didn't have beer in the gas line, but I did have a big burst of gas on each pour. A new coupler seemed to fix things.

Good luck.

[AndyPolley]

I've been testing the new coupler all evening and I'm on my fifth perfectly poured pint, so something went right. It was night & day with the new coupler. Life is good.