OH WOE-IS-ME LEAKING BGE

BBQJIM

I have a problem with me BGE.  The right side is beginning to leak smoke. The left side is fine and does not leak.

My mind says that if it was going to leak from the felt seal wearing out it would leak all around.  I took a feeler gauge and the leaking side is very easy to pull out.  The good side is hard to pull out.  Can any body help please?

lkapigian

There is a lot of good info on alignment etc....I say don't worry about it...I have a rutland, a bit of smoke upon start ...as long as temp control is good without running away, and it shuts down, I don't give it a second thought....

theyolksonyou

I had major underbite and some shift to the right from an unfortunate table incident. Yesterday I put the white hinge locks back on and took everything loose and started over. It helped some. May try loosing bands and letting the dome sit down and re tighten. Or as stated above, let it ride.

RRP

Here's another solution to consider.

First carefully remove both springs from the hinge. That is easier to do when they are relaxed in the open position.

Next loosen all the nuts in the hinge and the two bent bolts in the band - so the bands are free to move easily. Now line up the edges to your satisfaction. Now here is a tricky part....maybe your son can help you...place a 2 x 4 on the dome opening and exert strong constant pressure on it pressing the dome firmly against the base. I did this myself using two 4 foot long wood working clamps. Or another method is have a child or wife sit on a board on the dome! While you re-tighten first the band bolts and then all the hinge bolts. Replace springs. That should resolve your issue....however...

Are you familiar with the popular dollar bill test? Close your dome on a dollar bill and see if it is relatively difficult to pull out. Do this all the way around your dome. If you find a space of little resistance it actually will be a sizable space and will either be at the front or the back. If loose in the front then open the dome and based on how big you think the gap is in terms of the thickness of a 25 cent piece then place 1, 2 or 3 quarters stacked on the edge of your base. Now close your dome and carefully loosen the top bang bolt, press down to reset the positioning and tighten. Remove quarters and your plane should be ok. I have only known one person needing 3 quarters 2 is most common.

radamo

Ron when you say "bang" bolt are you referring to the bent bolts?

Thanks...

RRP

radamo said:

Ron when you say "bang" bolt are you referring to the bent bolts?

Thanks...

Sorry that was a  typo! I meant band not bang

Mattman3969

@bbqjim - I noticed the same thing on my large during Thursday's cooks. I did a couple of pizzas on Wed night and forgot to shut the vents when I was done. It got pretty dang hot and I believe my bands slipped a bit(another reason my clean burns are around 600°) The dome was kinda hinge bound (that's what made me check) in the back and I could see a 1/8-3/16" gap on the left side. To fix I simply loosened the top band(I could tell it was not even all the way around), re-aligned the band,grabbed the chimney and applied enough pressure that the gab closed and tightened the band back up. Walawala poof problem fixed in under 10mins. No smoke was escaping today during the cook. Hope this helps you out.

bcsnave

@BBQJIM

 

Stand in front of it..grab it firmly..turn it exactly 180 degrees..I bet the right side will no longer be leaking smoke..

 

(ps...I bet the left side will now be leaking though)

>-

BBQJIM

Thanks everyone for your help.  I have fixed the leaks but still have a bull dog bite on my BGE

minniemoh

bcsnave said:

@BBQJIM

 

Stand in front of it..grab it firmly..turn it exactly 180 degrees..I bet the right side will no longer be leaking smoke..

 

(ps...I bet the left side will now be leaking though)

>-

... and your thermometer will now be positioned directly at the back of your egg!  )