Generally speaking servicing of regulators should be carried out by a competent professional, but all divers should understand how their equipment works, and be able to carry routine maintenance tasks. This post cover basic cleaning and servicing of the most common diaphragm type second stage regulator – something you should do if you have a minor leak, or if your kit has been unused for some time.
Before starting work make sure you have a large clean work table, with good light and a cylinder of air or nitrox.
In the photos I have used a Mares Rebel Second stage, which is typical of this type of mid range regulator. All regs basically unscrew, with the front cover coming off. Some, the Mares included have a locking device, which might be a small screw, but in this case is a plastic pin held in place by friction. Simply release the pressure by turning the face a little and pull the pin out.
Once the cover is off, you’ll see the rubber diaphragm, which will be held in place with a hard plastic retaining ring. Remove the ring and then the diaphragm, remembering which way around it goes back in!
The first thing to do is carefully examine the diaphragm under a strong light. If you find any pinprick holes, or a tear, then discard it and head to the dive store for a new one. Assuming all is well, you’ll probably have seen some dirt or sand on the rubber. Run the diaphragm under a tap running cool water to clean it, then put it to one side to dry.
Now examine the casing – you’ll see a bent piece of metal, which acts as a spring for the valve. A common problem is that the valve gets out of adjustment over time. The first thing you’ll notice is a tiny leak from the regulator when you’re diving, even when you’re not breathing. Switch to your octopus and you’ll see a small stream of bubbles coming from your main reg. This is cured by adjusting the small nut on the valve behind the metal spring. Save that job, if you need to do it until last.
Next you need to wash out the body of the reg and also the cover, making sure again to use cool running water, and that you get all the dirt and sand out. You can dry the excess water with kitchen paper, and now is the time to adjust the valve. Just move it a quarter of a turn, then reassemble the whole unit, connect to the cylinder and see if you can hear gas escaping. If you can, disassemble, turn the nut another quarter turn and repeat until there is no leak. Don’t be tempted to move the nut more each time, as if you go too far, you can potentially make breathing more difficult. It’s one of those “enough and not too much” adjustments.
Assuming you’ve reassembled everything carefully and that there are no leaks, you’re ready to go diving! But let you buddy know that you’ve serviced your regs and when you submerge for the first time, get him to check everything more carefully than usual.
By keeping your regs clean you’ll get longer life from them and better service.
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