beer engine help... again!

[stubrewworx]

Hi guys

I stripped down my angram today and replaced the piston.

I put it back together, correctly, i think and now once I've pulled it does not return?

Any ideas why?

Cheers Stuart.

 

[cnelsonplumber]

Is it a glass cylinder with the non return on the bottom? Could be the NRV is stuck and causing a vacuum lock.

If it is a different style please post a picture

 

[stubrewworx]

Yes it is glass with nrv on the bottom

How do I check if that is the problem and fix it?

Cheers

 

[Dads_Ale]

Do you mean that you can't push the handle back up straight.

Is it connected to anything that may be causing it to pull a vacuum.

 

[Dads_Ale]

Yes it is glass with nrv on the bottom

How do I check if that is the problem and fix it?

Cheers

Connect a hose to it and you should see if it is stuck.

I believe it was OK before as from your previous thread you said you had a continuous flow though with your bucket raised up.

 

[Dads_Ale]

I may well be wrong on this but have you put the piston back in the right way up.

If it was upside down it would be trying to force air/liquid back out through the NRV, which will shut off.

Just a thought

 

[cnelsonplumber]

I have a similar engine in the garage but I am working away till easter. I will have a look when I get back. Probably something simple as almost nothing to go wrong with these engines

 

[stubrewworx]

I may have put the piston the wrong way. In typical fashion i stripped it down without taking notes of how it was.

I did check a photo online to see which way it went...

 

[Dads_Ale]

There are a couple of photos on your previous beer engine thread that should help.

 

[stubrewworx]

Right, switched around the piston and still no joy.

I then switched it back, which definitely correct. Thanks dads ale, i forgot about those photos!

I have managed to return the handle back upright but it's very very difficult. Basically, as soon as the piston hits the water in the cylinder, it locks.

As said, i replaced the piston but not the glass cylinder. Could that make a difference?

I was unable to remove the existing one. Are they sealed at the top?

The problem with the old piston is it didn't pull all the water.

Cheers, Stuart.

 

[cnelsonplumber]

Hi Stuart.
I will be able to have a look at mine in a day or so. The Angram is the knly manufacturer I dont know very well.
I remember buying some spares ages ago but cant say what.
Bit of a wild guess but if you take the non return valve out and try the engine to see if the handle travelst is the

 

[Dads_Ale]

I must say this has got me a bit stumped as there isn't much to go wrong.

Do you have a photo?

I have included a photo of mine before refurb, not sure if yours is the same model (CO).
With this one the inner clamp is close to the chamber and could foul it as the chamber moves up and down.

Hope this is of use. The handle would be in the upright position in the photo.

 

[Dads_Ale]

Only other thing I can think of is to check that the plastic valve on top of the piston is free to move. If it is solid then the liquid will not flow through the holes to the top of the chamber and the non return valve in the inlet will stop it returning out the bottom thus locking the system up

 

[stubrewworx]

Dads ale i think that last photo might have solved it. Although I've yet to try. I put the metal sleeve thing under the piston.

Hopefully I'll get chance to test tonight.

Thanks your help with this

Stuart.