Reg. *still* breathing wet

[namabiru]

I have a Dacor Viper Metal reg, and it started breathing wet. As it hadn't been serviced for a time (at least a year), I figured that was all it needed-- tuning up, or what have you. I took it down yesterday and enjoyed a nice serving of unknown-chemical contaminated sea water with my air.

The only thing I can think of is that my diaphragm maybe has a hole, or the downstream valve is broken. Do either of these causes make sense?

[ScubaToys Larry]

It's not the downstream valve.

A wet breathing reg is caused normally by one of 3 things - and in this order...

1) a loose or hole in the mouthpiece
2) a hole in, or distorted diaphragm
3) a cracked housing

If your second stage is all metal, probably number 1 or 2.

[awap]

Could also be a problem with the exhaust valve.

A proper service should have included a vacuum test which should have detected the presence of such a leak. Actually finding the source of the leak can be a bit challenging but that is what "professional" techs are payed for. Take it back and report the problem (again). I would expect the repair to charge for parts only.

[scubastud]

Yes agreed.. and if they can't fix it, I would think they should refund the service charge... I expect a reg to be returned in working order after service, or advised before work what additional charge there will be, or if the reg cannot be repaired.
Larry or others... do you forsee a problem with servicing Dacor equipment in near future?

[ScubaToys Larry]

Originally Posted by scubastud

Larry or others... do you forsee a problem with servicing Dacor equipment in near future?

No problem at all... as long as it the more recent gear that was distributed and manufactuered by Mares. The only problem with any service on dacor is the very old regs since dacor sold off all the dies for those parts long before they sold to mares. But the current stuff - viper era an on is no problem.

[namabiru]

Yep, I'll be going back to the shop this week. I'll check out my mouthpiece, though, but it's relatively new. Thanks very much for the advice, everyone!