cpap leaking water

[sharlan]

I have a REMstar M series cpap, used it for 4 years now. I've rarely used the humidifier, but just started using it this past weekend due to some dry coughing issues.

In the morning, my shelf is covered in water, quite a bit. I've checked the reservoir and it doesn't leak. The gaskets on the reservoir look good, no cracks or dry spots.

Does anyone have any ideas of why it's leaking or how to repair it?

[kempo]

Either your tube has a leak or your filling it too full. I can't believe it could be anything else.

[cobra4x4]

I'm going to suggest it wasn't put back together properly or it wasn't pushed all the way in.

Was the humidifier always attached to the machine or did you separate the 2 parts when not in use?

Take a look at the manual to see if you forgot something.

[Guest]

I've always left it together, just didn't bother using the humidifier.

It's leaking from the machine, not the hose. I filled the hose with water, no leaks there.

I filled the reservoir as full as I could with water and left it sitting on the bathroom counter, no leaks there. I just pulled the gasket off and washed it with soap and water, used a washcloth to wipe the inside connection really good.

I'm not overfilling it, going below the line.

I'm pushing the reservoir in all the way, the little door won't close unless the reservoir is in all the way.

I'm thinking that it has to be the gasket, but it looks in good condition.

[chunkyfrog]

Next step: turn it on and watch it?
Maybe the gasket is not completely seated or there is a bit of something wedged in between the gasket and where it goes.. . .

[Gerald]

Sharlan.........

We have (3) M-Series machines.....and two of the three leaked.

The problem was molding imperfections in the area at the O-Ring seals where the upper and lower portions of the tank are joined.

Take the tank apart......carefully remove the O-Ring seal.....and check both halves for roughness or imperfections in the O-Ring tracks. You may need to use a magnifying glass to see the problem.

Once you've found the imperfection, use something like an E-Xacto knife to scrape the plastic so that you can smooth it. Don't get in a hurry.....work with precision......and slowly cut away the plastic imperfection so that....when you re-install the O-Ring, it seals correctly against smooth surfaces.

One of the tricky aspects of the tank-leak problem is that it might not leak when you aren't using the machine. Just remember, the inside of the tank is under pressure while you're using it.......and water is pushed by that pressure when the machine is operating. The operating pressure might make it leak...ONLY....while you're sleeping.

Hope this helps........

[jules]

some of the humidifiers were recalled I believe due to leak issues - if your humidifier is that old it might be one of the first series which was recalled

[GumbyCT]

I think Gerald hit it on the head.

Does this mean it did not leak before?

I have a REMstar M series cpap, used it for 4 years now. I've rarely used the humidifier, but just started using it this past weekend due to some dry coughing issues.

Did you take it apart for cleaning?

[rested gal]

Gerald's right. The M series humidifiers had lots of problems. The only humidifier I ever had that leaked all over the night table... yep, an M series.

Here's an interesting old discussion about two newer versions of the water chamber that Respironics came out with after the original M humidifier:

New Series M water chamber -- Aug 16 2008 topic started by Gasp
viewtopic/t34072/New-Series-M-water-chamber.html

Pictures of all three water chamber designs are here:
http://www.sleepapnea.com/PDF/mserieschamberlookup.pdf

The newest version... the "staggered" or "J tube" chamber design ... didn't fit the original M humidifier. That J tube water chamber went with a newer design of the humidifier itself.

You were probably very lucky to have gotten 4 years out of the ill-conceived M humidifier, sharlan. Sorry it's gone kaput.

[inacpapfog2]

Looks like I'm having the same problem! (Oddly enough, I have had my M series 4 years also!)
If the chamber is the problem, can't I just buy a replacement chamber ?

[OutaSync]

Yes, you can just buy the new improved water chamber.

[rested gal]

Looks like I'm having the same problem! (Oddly enough, I have had my M series 4 years also!)
If the chamber is the problem, can't I just buy a replacement chamber ?

If your water chamber is the oldest "original", yes, you could get buy what turned out to be Respironics' first RE-design of the M humidifier's water chamber.

However, if you want what Respironics finally had to do for the M series humdifier -- yet another redesign of the first redesign -- that final design (staggered J tubes) won't fit the original humidifier itself. You'd have to get an entire new M humidifier base to use the final J tube design.

In my post above:

Pictures of all three water chamber designs are here:
http://www.sleepapnea.com/PDF/mserieschamberlookup.pdf

The newest version... the "staggered" or "J tube" chamber design ... didn't fit the original M humidifier. That J tube water chamber went with a newer design of the humidifier itself.

More about it:

M Series Humidifier redesign - topic started by akcpapguy - Mar 13, 2008
viewtopic.php?t=29223

[chrisp]

You might try using a SMALL amount of Petrolatum (Vaseline) when assembling. It should slide together without binding. Personal lubricant works even better to help those O-rings and seals SLIIIIIIIIDE right in. Here's a cupon. http://www.k-y.com/special-offers.

Chris

[inacpafog2]

Yes, mine is the original, so I will look into finding the correct replacement. Sure hope I can find someone that still has the right replacement!!!

And, the lubricant hint sounds like a fix because that dang thing is soooooooohard to get together after a cleaning!

[Guest]

Mine is doing the same thing. I thought I was filling it too full but only to the line and even a little below the line. My machine is less than a year old and it just started doing it. I changed the filter in it but it still leaks. Isn't there some kind of warranty on them?