Leaking Quick Disconnects

[MrCrowley]

I've had a few old ones leak in the past from what I assume are worn out seals but I recently bought a German made (expensive) disconnect which is now leaking at certain positions. So you can hold it straight on the male QC fitting and it doesn't leak but if the pump hose is pulling the fitting to the right it starts leaking quite badly.

Just to make sure you're following me, I'm talking about one of these:


I've opened it up and cleaned everything, I assume the problem is the o-ring which lies in the middle of the QC fitting but it's impossible to get at it or even replace it. I'm not even sure how they put it in there when they made it.

I've tried it on different QC fittings at different pressures, angles, everything. Nothing works.

Anyone had similar problems/know a solution?

[Gun Freak]

I am having similar problems with the one on my fridgy. It is a decent quality one from home depot, but there are better quality ones I can buy that probably won't leak with slight movement of the male part.

[Hawkeye]

Yep, Use thread on fittings.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Some photos of the thing taken apart?

[MrCrowley]

I'll try take some later but is there much point? Surely the only thing that can be causing the problem is the o-ring which is located in the middle of the fitting and can't be removed. All it does is slip around the tip (*ahem*) of the male quick connect fitting providing a seal. The check valve components don't have anything to do with the seal (I removed them and tried anyway) and I can't see any wear on the o-ring in question itself.

Perhaps you'll be able to see something from the photo or it might give you a better understanding of the exact type of QC I'm having troubles with.

[Brian the brain]

First off...the O-ring can be removed..with a needle.

BUT...I think you're using two different brands.
Well maybe.
I'm at work at the moment and I have several brands here laying in a drawer.
We sell them.
Some seem to fit perfect but will never seal.

Every manufactorer picks their dimensions randomly I think and within one brand they offer several sizes.
You say you have one that's German..?

So chances are you've got a male and female that seem to connect but in fact they don't.

But enough about my marriage already...

[MrCrowley]

You say you have one that's German..?

So chances are you've got a male and female that seem to connect but in fact they don't.

But enough about my marriage already...

Ha!

They used to connect and seal just fine, only recently they started to leak.

PUI., heavy fingerds

[POLAND_SPUD]

I recently bought a German made (expensive) disconnect

Just to make sure you're following me, I'm talking about one of these

jc-airtools.en.alibaba.com

uhmm are you sure it's really german made?

[Hawkeye]

Chances are the male is the problem. Did you drop it and perhaps chip or damage the part that seals against the o-ring?

[Sauerbraten]

In my experience working with many brands of these, I am an Industrial Automation Maintenance Technician, the most common reason for leakage is due to the male disconnect, but not being damaged where it mates to the seal, but at the flared area where the balls inside the female fitting rest on the male connecter. The lip gets worn down, and it is very evenly distributed around the circumference of the flare, so unless you deal with hundreds of these per month you are unlikely to see it without comparing it side by side with a new one. Also, there are several types and as mentioned, some do not always seal perfectly, there are industrial, automotive, and universal, they will fit, but not seal perfectly. You say yours did not leak originally, but now leaks when the hose leans to one side, the seat where the balls rest is worn, causing the hose to be able to stray from its intended rest position. I would get a male one and replace that, the male ones are cheap anyway. Try that first.

[jrrdw]

I got 2 words for ya campbell hausfeld. I'm not joking! I've better luck with these then any other that I've used in the past 30 years and I've used bunchs of them. They all wear out no matter who builds them...It is what it is.

[MrCrowley]

Chances are the male is the problem. Did you drop it and perhaps chip or damage the part that seals against the o-ring?

Strange that both male fittings on my piston hybrid started leaking at the same time, seems unlikely but I'll explore this possibility further. The male connector on my fuel meter would get banged about quite often as well.

uhmm are you sure it's really german made?

http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/292725737/GERMAN_Type_Quick_Connect_Coupling_W_Female.jpg

That's not the exact same one as mine but close enough.

the most common reason for leakage is due to the male disconnect, but not being damaged where it mates to the seal, but at the flared area where the balls inside the female fitting rest on the male connecter. The lip gets worn down, and it is very evenly distributed around the circumference of the flare, so unless you deal with hundreds of these per month you are unlikely to see it without comparing it side by side with a new one.

Interesting, I have had that problem in the past and replaced male QCs for this reason.

You say yours did not leak originally, but now leaks when the hose leans to one side, the seat where the balls rest is worn, causing the hose to be able to stray from its intended rest position. I would get a male one and replace that, the male ones are cheap anyway. Try that first

Thanks for the advice. By the way, this type of quick disconnect has the two metal rods instead of balls to hold it in place.

I got 2 words for ya campbell hausfeld. I'm not joking! I've better luck with these then any other that I've used in the past 30 years and I've used bunchs of them. They all wear out no matter who builds them...It is what it is.

Think I may have actually bought one of those in America at some point. As long as they fit the QC fittings I have I wouldn't object to trying them.

[POLAND_SPUD]

or you can buy hydraulic QCs... I've seen some for more less as much as pneumatic ones
(found them on a site selling stuff for farm equipment like tractors etc.)

[MrCrowley]

Update: The male fittings are not the problem. Further research led to the discovery that I've had three leaking quick connects in my time, all of which have been German made RECTUS couplings (two are exactly the same but the one at the focus of this topic is a slightly newer design). They cost about $18NZD here and seem to be well made.

Nie wieder, Rectus.

[Gun Freak]

RECTUS