Dacor BCD

Question
Hello! I have an old BCD Dacor, the model all black , white letters and it has the valve to add an CO2 small tank. The problem is that CO2 valve is unglue( separated) from the bladder and the air goes out. I would like to know how to repair it,which glue do you recommend? I dont use that CO2 valve, retire it and put a big patch would be the best solution? Thanks in advance!

Answer
Hi Cristian,

As you suggested, the best way to repair the leaking CO2 inflating mechanism is to remove it completely and place a patch over the hole.  Dacor, as you may already know, is no longer in business so even if you wanted to replace the mechanism, it would be very difficult to find parts.  The CO2 mechanism was used as an emergency inflator but the sudden inflation also posed a hazard because an uncontrolled ascent would be initiated if the CO2 cartridge was pierced while the diver was submerged.  All manufacturers that I'm familiar with have long since discontinued these mechanisms due to the hazard they introduced.

As for which glue to use to patch the hole, I would suggest a flexible neoprene patching adhesive available at most dive shops.  Follow the instructions that come with the adhesive.  To prevent the adhesive from gluing the backside of the BC to the patch, place a piece of wax paper inside the hole.  Then glue the patch over the hole so that any glue that goes through the hole will be stopped by the wax paper.  You may be able to remove the wax paper after the glued patch has cured by filling the BC with water and flushing the wax paper through the Low Pressure Inflator attachment point on your right shoulder.  To do this, you'll need to remove the Low Pressure Inflator hose by unscrewing it at the shoulder attachment.  Try to wash the paper to the hole and then grab it with tweezers and carefully pull it through the hole.  This can be a frustrating maneuver since the paper may adhere to the glue at the hole and resist being removed.  Be patient and you'll get it!!

As an alternative to completely removing the CO2 mechanism, you can use the same adhesive to glue the mechanism back in place but do not reattach the CO2 cartridge.  I have used nylon machine screws purchased from a hardware store to screw into the hole where the CO2 cartridge originally went to seal the hole.  Take the CO2 cartridge with you to the hardware store so you can match the threads.  If you decide to reattach the mechanism, be careful not to let excess glue get through the hole and glue the inside of the BC together.  Try to use the wax paper technique I mentioned earlier to prevent this.

Good luck, Cristian.  I hope this solves your problem!!

Happy Diving

Mike Giles
Mike's Dive Center
mikescuba.com