Picnic tap issue question

[Sandy Feet]

I think I probably need to buy a new quick connect. I hooked up the picnic tap, and it did not want to pour. The keg is carbed, and I can see a tiny, tiny amount of liquid in the line. I can see where the liquid wants to come out of the post. Does the tap itself give this kind of issue, or is it likely the actual connector? I did not intend to make a trip to the BS this weekend, but it looks like I need to.

 

[Minbari]

If your beer is carbed and under pressure, then it will come out.

Check your gas pressure
Check your ball lock on the tap

 

[Sandy Feet]

Pressure is up. It could be the ball lock which I may need to take a trip to the store.

 

[Zambi]

Do you have a spare keg?
If so fill with some water, put pressure and try your picnic tap.
Nothing coming out?
Remove picnic tap from the beer line. Water spraying all over the place? - picnic tap faulty
No mess? - connector

 

[Sandy Feet]

No spare keg. I had it connected. It just didn't pour.
I did test it with StarSan before I filled it, and it worked with StarSan. I think either the connector is bad or the tube is clogged. I don't have a picture of what the inside of the connector is supposed to look like. I want to eliminate the possibility of a connector issue before I open the keg and clean the tube as it is full.
I did hear something very similar to what it sounds like when the keg kicks when I hooked it up. Then, no liquid. It does hold CO2.

 

[Megary]

Not much to go wrong with a picnic tap. Does the lever have the usual resistance when you push it down or does it feel broken? Picnic taps usually work just fine until the trigger breaks/cracks.

My guess is a block either at the liquid post or in the dip tube.

Good luck.

 

[Minbari]

No spare keg. I had it connected. It just didn't pour.
I did test it with StarSan before I filled it, and it worked with StarSan. I think either the connector is bad or the tube is clogged. I don't have a picture of what the inside of the connector is supposed to look like. I want to eliminate the possibility of a connector issue before I open the keg and clean the tube as it is full.
I did hear something very similar to what it sounds like when the keg kicks when I hooked it up. Then, no liquid. It does hold CO2.

If you think the tube is clogged, put the gas line on the liquid post. Purge and regas it. It will clear it without opening it

 

[Sunfire96]

Did you take apart the plastic quick connect and check for blockage? Just need a flat head screwdriver

 

[Craigerrr]

If you had some hop debris get into the keg it could block up the the valve in the liquid post.
Had that once, PITA to clear...

 

[Sandy Feet]

If you think the tube is clogged, put the gas line on the liquid post. Purge and regas it. It will clear it without opening it

I will try that first tomorrow.

 

[Sandy Feet]

Did you take apart the plastic quick connect and check for blockage? Just need a flat head screwdriver

Not yet.

 

[Sandy Feet]

If you had some hop debris get into the keg it could block up the the valve in the liquid post.
Had that once, PITA to clear...

How did you clear it?

 

[Donoroto]

Either the pin in the keg post has a problem, or the pin in the ball lock adaptor isn’t pressing it down, or the tap head is clogged.

If you briefly press the post pin down with a screwdriver (it will be difficult) you can tell if anything‘s coming out of that. Be warned, it will spray out all over the place, so be ready with a rag on top of it or something.

Then, look inside the black ball lock adapter. There should be a clear plastic pin that sticks down. Unscrew the cover on the ball adapter, and check all four parts to see if they look unbroken. In addition to the screw-on cap, there’s a little washer, a spring, and the clear plastic pin pusher.

Last, the tap head itself unscrews from the body, take that apart and see if everything looks unclogged.

Of course, don’t do this while it’s connected to the keg or it will end up badly…

 

[Craigerrr]

How did you clear it?

Took it apart, cleaned it up, put it back together. Flowed about 2 oz, repeated cleaning, repeated cleaning, until it was running clear.

 

[Sandy Feet]

The co2 trick worked. It took a couple of times. I did use a bunch of hops.

 

[Dave Y]

Good to hear we have a resolution. I was going to suggest, particularly for a kegerator the line , or keg contents could be frozen.

That’s happened to me a couple times now.

 

[Sandy Feet]

I knew I liked y'all for a reason LOL

 

[Craigerrr]

I knew I liked y'all for a reason LOL

Yeah, we're alright at the end of the day

 

[Sandy Feet]

It got clogged again, but at least I know what the problem is.

 

[Zambi]

Good to hear we have a resolution. I was going to suggest, particularly for a kegerator the line , or keg contents could be frozen.

That’s happened to me a couple times now.

I've had that a couple of times