After purchasing a very good condition Hipolito 502 which had saw minimum use found under a dunk test to leak at this point. I removed the gauge and cleaned the seat with some wet and dry paper and that cured the problem. I recently purchased what was a old new unused modern petromax 500 which was ok for the first few light ups but has also developed a leak at the same location. I looked at the screw and could not see any thing wrong unless it is bad machining. I tried exchanging the screw from the hipolito to the petromax but it had the same result. I was reluctant to purchase a new screw in case the problem was the bottom of the pressure gauge. I was also reluctant to purchase a new pressure gauge. I put a small lap of PTF tape on the bottom of the air screw and bingo. Perfect. I am curious of what other methods members have used for this problem.
Hi Geoff. I also have had a Anchor light and a Magnalux and no problem with them. Just this version of petromax. It was losing pressure quite rapidly. Best regards.
Hi WimVe. Yes the screw comes all the way out. I gave it a clean up with some very fine wet and dry paper. I am wondering if it is at the bottom but not much I can do if that is the case. Thank you for your reply.
It may be a bad fit, dirt, piece of metal what ruins the seal. You may try to hand drill the bottom of the "pit". It can't get worse can it ? Just use a small drill and rotate it between the fingers at the bottom.
I have used a steel or brass rod of suitable diameter, and shaped the end to match the taper of the bleed screw. Apply some valve grinding paste and rotate it until the seat is clean and reformed.
You can try tightening the screw down tight, then give it a few light taps on the head. This will mate the tapered end of the screw with the seat. The metal is soft so don't over do it.
