is my CO2 tank damaged?

[gentle]

i have a blue colour CO2 tank with red colour "tap"

it has been in used for months, and a few days ago i turned off the main "tap" and shifted it with my fish tank to another location.

today, when i set up the tank and turn on the main "tap", CO2 gas (lots!) leaks from below the tap - when i turn off, the leaking stops.

this happens regardless whether my regulator is on or off

i notice that the red "tap" has some freeplay (is loose) when you rotate it, and when you lift it up and down...

is this normal? is the leak due to safety mechanism or something? or is the CO2 tank spoiled?

[Blue Whale]

1. Picture please.
2. Did you have an adjustable spanner on hand?
3. Highlight your current location, if you have don't have the tool, maybe someone near to you can come to your rescue.

[gentle]

the tank is in my office...so can't take picture...
let me try to illustrate using ascii art



----- } red cap
| | } neck
| | } neck
/ \ }
| | }
| | }
| | } blue tank
| | }
| | }
|___| }


1) red cap has free play (ie you can turn it a little clockwise/anticlockwise without releasing any gas
2) red cap can be lifted up and down (with no apparent effect to the gas either)
3) when i turn the red tap on, gas is released (upwards) from the part of the neck that is highlighted in pink...you can feel the gas blowing at your hand.
the tap will float upwards, and i can force it down, but won't stop the gas escaping
4) when i turn the tap off, gas will stop escaping

[Blue Whale]

I think you should bring it home. Fill a pail of water, push the CO2 tank into the water, watch for bubbles after you do a slow release.

LFS which do CO2 tank CO2 top up, normally would have tools and paint standing by. Mine got repainted when I top up at Biotope (Marsiling) due to some rust was captured at the bottom of the tank, my tank is good as new now.

Given your description you might still have no idea where the leak is coming from, repairing might be out of your hands. Approach the LFS to do the fix for you instead.

[tawauboy]

bring you cylinder to a lfs to get it repaired.
some freeplay is normal. but not the escaping co2 from tap stem.
most likely the seals are worn out.
do check with a lfs.