Stuttering Foamy Beer

[BREED]

I have had my kegerator for over 3 years. I have suddenly had problems with a sputtering foamy beer. I have my co2 set at around 20 psi and have replaced the coupler with a new one. When pulling the coupler handle visible air and foam is in the beer line. The problem occured mid keg. Could this be a bad keg?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

[Draught Prophet]

Have you always had your pressure at 20? That seems high. You could have over carbonated the keg, since it carbonates from the top down.

Also, is the temp inside higher now than before? What is the inside temp?

[BREED]

Temp has not changed. I have lowered the PSI to around 10 released pressure from the keg and have the same problem. I have also retapped the keg.

[edramshaw]

Did you replace the coupler before the problem started? If so it could be a problem with the actual coupler, you would want to check to be sure the check ball is in there and properly situated. You have more than likely overcarbonated your beer at 20 psi, to solve that you would want to relive the pressure inside the keg and allow it degas a little. You want to keep psi around 14 depending on the brand and your location. It may take a couple of days but equilibrium should be achieved shortly and things should smooth out.

[ernestbud]

to properly de-carbonate your keg follow these steps;
1. turn of gas to the keg
2. release the pressure from the keg at the coupler
3. shake the keg by rocking it back and forth
4. release pressure again at coupler
5 repeat the shake and release 2-3 times then turn the gas back on now you have re-leased all of the gas that has been absorbed by the beer and if it was an overcarbonation prob it will pour better now

[Draught Prophet]

Breed, I think the keg is overcarbonated but there is one thing you may want to check as well, and that is the rubber seal on the keg. I have seen the seal chip or nick and the co2 leaks into the beer going out causing the problem you described. It doesn't take a very large nick/chip to create many problems. In fact it is sometimes hard to see, but they create huge foaming issues.

If this is your problem, a quick fix is to use the washer from a faucet to place over the seal and then put the keg on. Assuming you have a spare facuet, of course!

Cheers.

[elkmeat1]

just bought a new danby and set temp at 36 the beer temp is actualy 44 and foamy.its been setup for 3 days

[JDSC]

Originally Posted by elkmeat1

just bought a new danby and set temp at 36 the beer temp is actualy 44 and foamy.its been setup for 3 days

sounds like your unit is not chillin. Refer problem.

[jquigley9]

The unit is not getting cold, check the condensing coils. Is there proper airflow across the coils or is something blocking the air intake?

[ernestbud]

and yes since it did occur at mid keg it could be a bad keg check for any really noticeable dings in the bottom cent of the keg

[BREED]

Thanks to all for helping me resolve the problem. It turns out Draught Prophet was correct. There was a nick on the keg seal. The faucet gasket fixed things immediately.

Thanks again..