Tightened bands, now leaks are worse.

Kelso

I recently tightened my bands b/c of an underbite and a smoke leak on one side. Now it leaks from all around the back and the hinges jam on opening and closing it. I’m going yo try loosening the bands some this weekend and seeing if anything is obviously out of whack. I thought I’d ask for some insight here first before I mess it up worse.  

johnmitchell

My experience was that I struggled and struggled with the old style bands on my large. I bought the new style and it solved the problem of leaks. I just didn’t have the patience to mess with it. That’s just my experience. I am sure you will get expert input from the forum 

Kelso

johnmitchell said:

My experience was that I struggled and struggled with the old style bands on my large. I bought the new style and it solved the problem of leaks. I just didn’t have the patience to mess with it. That’s just my experience. I am sure you will get expert input from the forum 

I bought this XLBGE in 2016, have the "new style" bands come out since then?  Off to the internet to compare bands......

Kelso

https://shop.biggreenegg.com/band-and-hinge-assembly-for-xl-egg/

That band looks like the same band I have on it now.

RRP

Kelso said:

I recently tightened my bands b/c of an underbite and a smoke leak on one side. Now it leaks from all around the back and the hinges jam on opening and closing it. I’m going yo try loosening the bands some this weekend and seeing if anything is obviously out of whack. I thought I’d ask for some insight here first before I mess it up worse.  

You said "Now it leaks from all around the back and the hinges jam on opening and closing it" which is telling me that the planes of your dome and base are out of whack! Specifically since the back is up and your front is closing down first. Secret is to loosen both sets of bands while your dome is closed sufficiently so that you can press your dome down so it meets your base all the way around. Then while still closed re-tighten the bolts.

DoubleEgger

Loosen the top bolts on the band. Press down firmly on the dome while tightening the band bolts. This might take two people. Make sure you have the gap spacing equal around the dome as you tighten it up. Your band on the dome looks low to me from the pics. Could be the angle of picture throwing me off. 

I see you have a Rutland gasket. Is it on evenly and smoothly in the area of the smoke leak? Maybe a little extra Permatex is under the gasket and it caused the leak. 

Last thing, that handle is pretty awesome. Deserving of its own post. 

Kelso

Thanks guys, I’ll take your recommendations and give them a go this weekend. 

The Rutland has been on there for a few years, the leak is new since I messed with the bands trying to correct an overbite. So it’s not the gasket. 

Ill try to remember where I got the handle and make a post. 

Kelso

Appreciate the suggestions y'all.  I loosened the bands/hinges, made sure I had the lid pushed all the way down on the base, and did my best positioning the band, tightened it all back up.  Had a cook a few nights ago and no leakage anymore.  Whalla!