Water & Steam Leaks Not Only Cause Damage To The Site Where The Unit Is Located, But Will Also Create A Low Water Condition Resulting In Overheating That Could Cause Major Damage To The Autoclave.
Isolating Leaks & Corrective Action
Visual and audible leaks can be detected by operating the sterilizer in the normal STE mode with temperature set at 273º F and the time set for 30 minutes on M units and 15 minutes on MK & Valueklave 1730 MKV units.
Possible points of water/steam leaks with corrective action, and order in which they should be checked are noted in #1-5 below.
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| Step Number |
Parts |
Procedure |
| 1 |
DOOR GASKET & DOOR BELLOWS |
Check chamber Door Gasket for any steam leaks, hissing, or water bubbles at the Door Bellows. If steam is leaking at the door closing device, then rotate the Gasket 180° to see if the leak follows it. If the leak follows the Gasket, then replace the Gasket. If the leak does not follow the Gasket, then replace the Door Bellows. |
| 2 |
SAFETY VALVE |
Remove the Water Reservoir Fill Cover and visually inspect the Safety Valve use a dental mirror to help locate the leak. Confirm that there is no steam or water drops escaping from the vent holes or threads of the Safety Valve. If a leakage is observed, replace the Safety Valve |
| 3 |
AIR JET VALVE |
Inspect the Air Jet Valve. It should make a slight hissing sound throughout the STE cycle. If there is excessive hissing, steam, or water bubbles escaping from the Air Jet Valve, refer to HOW TO CHECK THE AIR JET VALVE, lower on this page.
Service Tip: Use a dental mirror to help locate the leak.
Click Here For Instructions On Testing The Air Jet Valve
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If a water/steam leak is not related to #1-3 above, disconnect power from the sterilizer and remove the cover, then carefully remove the insulation blanket. Proceed to #4-5, below.
Warning!
Make sure power has been disconnected prior to removing the cover. When running the sterilizer with the cover removed, the interior of the machine will be very hot - use extreme caution.
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| Step Number |
Parts |
Procedure |
| 4 |
MULTI-PURPOSE VALVE |
Inspect the Multi-Purpose Valve for leakage. Note any leaks at the three fittings or the valve stem.
If none are found, disconnect the Condensation Coil in the water reservoir at the point where it connects inside the reservoir.
Operate the sterilizer in STE mode at 273°F for 30 minutes on M units and 15 minutes on MK & Valueklave 1730 MKV units.
Look for any signs of leakage back into the reservoir from the tubing fitting where the Condensation Coil was attached.
Inspect the water fill tube at the bottom of the reservoir for any signs of steam bubbling back into the reservoir.
If any leakage is noted at either position, repair or replace the Multi-Purpose Valve.
Important: Reconnect Condensation Coil before exhausting Chamber pressure. |
| 5 |
CHAMBER & INTERNAL TUBING |
Carefully inspect for steam or water bubbles at the Chamber and all fittings.
If a leak is detected at one of the fittings or tubing, tighten or replace only after the unit has been depressurized and allowed to cool down.
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BASIC PLUMBING CONFIGURATIONS 
