Gas leaking from tig torch tip when pedal is not presses???

[Tigwalker]

hey. I started up the old dialarc hf today because a new flow meter arrived today. After installing the new flow meter I got out the soap and water spray bottle to check for leaks. I turned the gas on and heard a slight hissing. I tracked the sound to the torch tip. I first changed the collet and gas lense but no luck. It's a slow leak. I tried new backcap and still hissing. When machine is turned on the and I hit the pedal the Solenoid activates like usual starting the correct gas flow which is much higher flow than the slow leak. The leak can't be more than 1 at most cfh. Is it a failure in the torch? Or the solenoid? Not sure how to troubleshoot this. The torch is older but has always done the job. I don't use this machine often because or the new inverter machine gets most of the jos done, but want to keep the dialarc operating. Any help or advice would help. Also. I had replaced ch1 relay on the hf curcit recently as well but don't see how it could be any part of the problem.
Thanks

[H80N]

sounds like a sticky gas solenoid,,,,, you might have bit of lint in it

[H80N]

or a shred of teflon tape....... hope you did NOT use any on gas connections or flowmeter

TEF Tape is a NO NO on inert gas connections

[Tigwalker]

Maybe some lint? Any tips on cleaning out the solenoid?
thanks

[H80N]

Maybe some lint? Any tips on cleaning out the solenoid?
thanks

disconnect flowmeter hose & torch .....then blow it out backwards (from torch side) with compressed air while cycling the pedal

[Tigwalker]

Okay. I tried the blowing it out backwards while cycling the pedal. Did not solve problem. Tried it a couple more times and still leaking. I took solenoid apart and blew it out and still leaking. Not sure how to get deeper into it then just taking off the fittings and cap. Any tips would help.
And thanks for the replies.

[H80N]

Okay. I tried the blowing it out backwards while cycling the pedal. Did not solve problem. Tried it a couple more times and still leaking. I took solenoid apart and blew it out and still leaking. Not sure how to get deeper into it then just taking off the fittings and cap. Any tips would help.
And thanks for the replies.

might need replaced............ it is 20-30 years old after all

[ryanjones2150]

I vote for replacing the solenoid.

[Tigwalker]

Okay. I am leaning toward the new solenoid idea also. I did another 45minutes of tinkering and no results yet. I think the new flow meter must have had something stuck inside the system that got lodged into the solenoid when I turned on the gas. The inlet side of the new flow meter has a very fine brass screen filter on it, so it couldn't have been lint/something from my tank side. I looked super closely at the female threads of my tank to see if maybe their was any gunk or bits of thread tape from the last person who traded in the tank. They're was nothing inside the threads as well as the brass screen. Not to mention that before attaching a flow meter or regulator to inert has I turn on the valve of the tank for a moment to blow any possible debris. I looked for a replacement solenoid online but couldn't find the right one. The ones I did see were a couple hundred bucks which was surprising. Is that correct ballpark pricing? I don't have an exact manual for the machine I have, and millers look up site doesn't recognize my serial number. I have talked to Rep on coustomer service and they don't have the correct manual for my machine. It is a dialarc hf 310. Which is it common I guess. Most of the parts I have ordered were from 250hf and worked fine. If anybody has a link to the replacement for sale I would appreciate it. Or if anybody knows how to get inside the solenoid pleas let me know. I am a machinist and feel I may be able to repair it if o could get inside. Thanks for taking the time to help me and answer my questions about a old machine that is not worth the dollar value of the time it has most likely taken you to respond. Lol.
Thanks
Dylan

[ryanjones2150]

No way, those old machines are awesome. Call Miller up and see if they can cross reference a part for you. I have a 74 airco and they were able to cross reference ancient airco and Miller part numbers to new stuff that works perfectly. Miller tech support has a guy that is sort of their "old" machine guy. I think his name is Jeff. He's probably old too, like anybody else that knows lots of good stuff. Takes time to get knowledgable and all that.

[FusionKing]

[QUOTE=ryanjones2150; He's probably old too, like anybody else that knows lots of good stuff. Takes time to get knowledgable and all that.[/QUOTE]

Thank you
Wisest statement ever made on this forum

[Tigwalker]

Okay. Talked to Miller and got a part number. The older more knowledgeable guy that is have spoke with was not available. I asked it trying the other solenoid was worth a shot he said yes. I only use a water cooled torch and have never even used the other solenoid. I traded the 90degree elbows that fit my torch and hooked it up. It works except at low amps the arc trips out and flutters. Not sure what that would be. The solenoid holds gas and is engaged and closed by the pedal. Is there something I'm missing. And yes I agree about your comment about age and knowledge. I am constantly learning and gaining experience, and much of that is passed down by older more experienced machinists / welders.
Thanks for all your replies.

[Tigwalker]

Okay. Talked to Miller and got a part number. The older more knowledgeable guy that is have spoke with was not available. I asked it trying the other solenoid was worth a shot he said yes. I only use a water cooled torch and have never even used the other solenoid. I traded the 90degree elbows that fit my torch and hooked it up. It works except at low amps the arc trips out and flutters. Not sure what that would be. The solenoid holds gas and is engaged and closed by the pedal. Is there something I'm missing. And yes I agree about your comment about age and knowledge. I am constantly learning and gaining experience, and much of that is passed down by older more experienced machinists / welders.
Thanks for all your replies.
not sure if this post sent, if it's a repeat I apologize.

[H80N]

Okay. Talked to Miller and got a part number. The older more knowledgeable guy that is have spoke with was not available. I asked it trying the other solenoid was worth a shot he said yes. I only use a water cooled torch and have never even used the other solenoid. I traded the 90degree elbows that fit my torch and hooked it up. It works except at low amps the arc trips out and flutters. Not sure what that would be. The solenoid holds gas and is engaged and closed by the pedal. Is there something I'm missing. And yes I agree about your comment about age and knowledge. I am constantly learning and gaining experience, and much of that is passed down by older more experienced machinists / welders.
Thanks for all your replies.
not sure if this post sent, if it's a repeat I apologize.

I can see no reason that would stop you from using that water solenoid for argon.... The "city water" cooling option is a poor choice anyhow...probably the same asco redhat solenoid valve part number

Asco Catalog

http://www.asco.com/en-us/Pages/asco-catalog.aspx

[Tigwalker]

Thanks for all he help. Switched the coolant valve for the busted gas valve and bam. I'm back in business. The high frequency issues were a random amd separate incident. I adjusted the wire 47 which is attached the the resistor. The movable portion slider thing needed to be cleaned and tuned for the 78 ish volts. I was not getting enough volts engage the cr1 relay that initially starts the high frequency. I am a couple days older and a couple days more knowledgeable and experienced. I now know how to back blow a tig torch to try to clear the valve and to blow some argon through a new flow meeter before attaching it to the gas hose. I learned to go disassemble a solenoid and out it back together. I learned how the internals and relays work on a sinewave machine. Now that I understand how it all works I see much more value of how sturdy and repairable the dialarc hf is. Also a big shout out to Jeff at Miller tech support for cleaning up my mess.
Thanks