Frequently Asked Questions

Soda System
Why is all my soda flat?
  • Check that there is ice in the ice bins/cold plate. Without ice, the pop will taste flat. There should be about 6” of ice on your cold plate.

  • Make sure the carbonator on the soda rack is plugged in and the outlet is working.

  • Make sure all valves are open on the CO2 tank and that you have gas.
    If you switch to a new tank, you will need to run about 5 full pitchers of club soda. This will purge the system and give you fresh bubbly soda.

  • It’s possible that the soda water to syrup ratio is off and the equipment needs to be re-brixed. This requires service. Call Detroit’s top soda syrup and soda dispenser supplier and maintenance experts.

Why is no syrup coming out?
  • Check syrup box and replace if empty. Check syrup box connection.

  • Make sure all valves are open on the CO2 tank.

  • Check regulator on soda rack (0-100 psi reg). Make sure it’s open and reads 50-65 psi.

  • Make sure soda machine is on and that the outlet is working.

  • Make sure the ice bin where the cold plate is has 6” of ice.

Why does my soda taste funny?
  • Check syrup box and replace if empty or expired. Check syrup box connection.

  • Make sure there is ice in the ice bins/cold plate.

  • Make sure all valves are open on the CO2 tank and that you have gas. If you switch to a new tank, you will need to run about 5 full pitchers of club soda. This will purge the system and give you fresh bubbly soda.

Why is only air coming out of my soda gun?
  • Make sure your carbonator is plugged in and that the outlet is working. If outlet is working, service is required.

Why is one of my pumps making noise?
  • You likely have an empty box hooked up. If you don’t have an empty box, try disconnecting and reconnecting the box.

  • If the pump is still running, disconnect the gas line. Otherwise, it’ll keep running and you’ll run out of CO2.

Why is no water coming out?
  • Check water shut off. Was a plumber there recently?

  • Check cold plate and make sure it isn’t frozen and has proper ice coverage.

Why is my soda gun leaking?
  • Is it oozing from under the button plate while button is depressed? The stem O-ring is likely broken or worn out and will need to be replaced.

  • Does it leak or drip out of the nozzle? The cork O-ring or molded valve is broken or worn out. The O-ring will need to be replaced or the entire valve with a new molded valve system.

  • Does it leak around the bottom plate? The hat O-ring has likely failed and will need to be replaced.

Why is my soda bag leaking at the bib rack?
  • Check syrup box connections. Is one not fully connected? Is there debris causing a connection to fail?

  • Check the boxes and bags inside for a hole.

Help! Why is my CO2 alarm going off?
  • Open any windows and doors in the area to allow the gas to escape, evacuate the area and call for service immediately. Detroit’s leading draft beer equipment supplier and maintenance crew is at your service.

Draft Beer System
Why is my beer foamy?
  • Did you just receive a keg delivery or tap the keg? Wait 1-2 hours, then use.

  • Is the beer too warm? Check that the temperature is 34-38°F.

  • Are you opening the faucets all the way when pouring?
    1. Be sure to open the faucet completely and quick.
    2. Hold the clean glass at correct angle and distance.

  • Check your regulators to make sure that the correct pressure is applied: 12-14psi.

  • When was your last line cleaning? Dirty lines can cause foam.

Why is my beer flat?
  • Is the beer too cold? Check that the temperature is 34-38°F.

  • Does the beer have “head”?
    No: Check CO2 tank and regulator. It may not have enough pressure. Do NOT have customer adjust pressures! Service is required. Time to call Leonard’s, the top draft beer equipment supplier in Detroit, for assistance.
    Yes: But it quickly disappears. Your glasses might not be clean enough.

Why is my beer warm (above 40°F)?
  • Temperature of coolant or keg storage is too high. Lower the temperature to 34-38°F, lower the glycol reservoir to 35°F.

Why is my beer coming out too fast or too slow?
  • The regulator is set at wrong pressure. Adjust the regulator to 12-14psi.

Why is no beer coming out?
  • Is air coming out of the faucet?
    Yes: Check to see if the keg is empty.
    No:
    ▪ Is the keg coupler disengaged? Make sure the coupler is twisted all the way down
    ▪ What is the CO2 tank gauge reading? Does it read “0”?
    o Yes: The tank may be empty. Replace with a full gas tank.
    o No: Check that the beer gas valves are open (parallel to the gas line)

  • Is the beer only trickling out of one or a couple adjacent faucets?
    Your beer line is frozen. Check that the beer cooler temperature is 34-38°F. Check glycol power pack is between 28-32°F. If necessary, turn off glycol system for 1 hours, then try pouring.

Why is my beer hazy or cloudy?
  • Is the cooler temperature set to 34-38°F? It could be too cold. Check glycol power pack is between 28-32°F.

  • Are you opening the faucets all the way when pouring? Be sure to open the faucet completely and quick.

  • Regulators could be set improperly. Do NOT have customer adjust pressures! Service is required. Detroit’s best draft beer equipment supplier is here to help.

Why does my beer taste funny?
  • Does it have a metallic taste? Were your lines recently cleaned? Pour a few glasses to completely rinse the cleaning solution from the beer lines.

  • Does it have a butterscotch or creamed corn flavor? DMS (diacetyl) could have formed in the fermentation process. The keg of beer is bad.

  • Does it taste stale or have a wet cardboard aroma?
    o Check the “use by” date as the beer may have expired.
    o Beer can go stale if tapped for over 4 weeks.

Why does my beer sputter, burp, and spit when I pour?
  • Does the beer pour fine then sputters and burps?
    o Check to see if there are any kinks or heavy objects sitting on the beer line.
    o Have the lines been cleaned recently? It could be a bacteria buildup.
    o Check to see if there’s a pinhole somewhere in the line.
    o Check to see if the seal around the faucet or keg are good. They could have a bad seal and need replacing.

Help! Why is my CO2 alarm going off?
  • Open any windows and doors in the area to allow the gas to escape, evacuate the area and call for service immediately!

Coke Equipment
How do I order a Coca-Cola small part?
  • Refer to the chart in this document (download here) to determine which part you need. Call 1-800-241-COKE (2653) to talk with a customer service representative to order the part you need. As a premier soda syrup and soda dispenser supplier in Detroit, we can take care of you.

Liquid Cylinder
My liquid cylinders are building excessive pressure/building pressure too fast. What do I need to do?
  • Possible cause: Low usage.
    Remedy: If daily gas usage is under 100 SCF (2.8 Nm3), the cylinder will build pressure. In liquid service, the cylinder should be equipped with low-pressure relief valve and regulator. Normal pressure rise should not be more than 50 psi (3.4 bar) per day.

  • Possible cause: Cylinder is over filled.
    Remedy: If the cylinder is filled past the vent trycock or past the DOT-specified fill weight, the pressure may rise rapidly after a fill.

  • Possible cause: Pressure building regulator is set improperly or leaks.
    Remedy: If the pressure builds and stays at a pressure higher than desired, adjust the pressure building regulator to a new setting.
    If the pressure builds to the relief valve setting and the PB coil near the bottom of the tank is cold or frosted, replace the regulator.

  • Possible cause: Vacuum is deteriorating.
    Remedy: This can be accompanied by cold or frost occurring evenly over the cylinder surface. Refer to the Troubleshooting section on frost.

What should I do if my liquid cylinder pressure is too low?
  • Possible cause: Pressure-builder valve is closed.
    Remedy: Open valve.

  • Possible cause: Pressure-building regulator is set too low.
    Remedy: Call your gas supplier for assistance.

  • Possible cause: Pressure-building regulator is not opening properly.
    Remedy: Call your gas supplier for assistance.

  • Possible cause: Usage is too high.
    Remedy: Call your gas supplier to confirm the maximum delivery rate of your liquid cylinder.

  • Possible cause: Cylinder is leaking.
    Remedy: Check for frost on lines or on top of head. Listen for hissing, soap test joints for leaks. Isolate leak and call your gas supplier for repair details.

What is happening if frost occurs around the circumference of the shell 4” to 8” from the floor?
  • Possible cause: Cylinder is building pressure with the pressure-building circuit.
    Remedy: This is normal if the cylinder pressure is lower than the pressure building regulator setting.

  • Possible cause: Frost is residual from last fill or earlier use.
    Remedy: This is normal. A ring of ice or an oval-shaped ice ball often remains on the cylinder for days after the last use or fill.

What is happening if frost occurs around the circumference of the shell 10” from the floor and up or if frost spirals up the shell?
  • Possible cause: Cylinder is vaporizing liquid into gas.
    Remedy: This is normal. The frost should melt within two hours after the gas use stops.

What is happening if frost occurs on the head or knuckle?
  • Possible cause: Residual frost remains from last fill or recent product use.
    Remedy: This is normal. Ice may remain for days after a fill or heavy use.

  • Possible cause: Sight gauge is leaking.
    Remedy: Call Detroit's premier beergas supplier for assistance.

What is happening if frost occurs evenly over the cylinder surface?
  • Possible cause: The gas withdrawal rate is high. Both the PB and gas use vaporizers are frosted.
    Remedy: This is normal.

  • Possible cause: Cylinder has lost vacuum.
    Remedy: This is accompanied by high rate of pressure rise or high loss rate. Call Detroit's best draft beer gas supplier for return instructions.

What is happening if there are miscellaneous frost spots on the cylinders?
  • Possible cause: Cylinder may have internal damage.
    Remedy: Call the top beverage gas supplier in Detroit for evaluation or repair/return information.

What should I do if the delivery gas is too cold?
  • Possible cause: Delivery rate exceeds recommended delivery.
    Remedy: Call Detroit’s best draft beer equipment supplier to confirm the maximum delivery rate of your liquid cylinder.

What is happening if, in liquid delivery, the liquid is mixed with a high amount of gas?
  • Possible cause: Cylinder pressure is higher than optimum for liquid withdrawal.
    Remedy: Call the top gas and soda syrup supplier in Detroit for assistance.

What is happening if in CO2 service, the cylinders are not delivering product properly?
  • Possible cause: Possible dry ice blocks have formed in the system.
    Remedy: Call Detroit's leading CO2 gas supplier for evaluation or repair/return information.