MIG gas flow problem?

Turn your wire speed to zero. Open the side panel and then pull the trigger with the nozzle up by your cheek. You should hear and feel the gas flow. If it doesn't flow, check to see that your gun nipple is fully inserted into the welder - maybe it's just leaking down into the welder cavity.

Else you have a plug or big leak somewhere else.

GWE

Hey Ari,

I'd look for any really really small opening or orifice or tube that those little tiny spiders can get in to build a web/cocoon. That's real common on BBQ's and propane refrigerators, for instance.

Brian Lawson, Bothwell, Ontario.

Darn fine advice. Then there's rubber seals and stuff that just have a certain life span. This exact case is why I suggest buying a name brand product. You have a problem, you take it to a service center, you pick it up, and it runs for another five or ten years.

Your mileage may vary.

Steve

Light a candle (or something similar) and point the nozzle at it. Depending on the gas you are using it should go out, if nothing else you should see it wavering around a bit. Moving the nozzle around a bit farther away and such should give you an idea of flow rate.

First off, do you live near Toronto, ON? If so you can get service at the "Century Official Repair Service" at

If not, check the supply lines for leaks,and as someone else suggested check the nozzle area for obstruction. Very often they can get blocked by weld globules. Best of luck.

If your Century is like the one I had it doesn't have a solenoid. Mine had a Tweeco gun too and there was a valve in the gun that is opened by the trigger. To find out if yours is like this unplug the power cord and close the valve on the tank and then pull the trigger to see if it bleeds down like before. If it does there isn't a solenoid because a solenoid wouldn't work without power. And that means the problem is in the gun somewhere after that valve.

And yes, you should be able to hear flow at the gun if you hold it near your ear, being sure not to feed the wire into the side of your head of course. :-) And if you have one that doesn't use a solenoid you can test it without power so you won't have to worry about the wire anyway.

Best Regards, Keith Marshall snipped-for-privacy@progressivelogic.com

"I'm not grown up enough to be so old!"