Valve popping

Hi folks,

I have been searching and lurking for help with a valve popping issue. Let me give some background...I have been using the Swift FX nasal pillows for about two years and have discovered they do not work well when I am congested. After a lot of reading, I have purchased a Quattro™ FX full face mask.
I followed all of the instructions (at least I think I did - I read them 27 1/2 times...) and have a comfortable fit. I have one huge issue - the valve at the mask connector pops while I breathe. As another post described - a similar sound to a hand hitting the end of a pipe. This usually happens when initially putting the mask on or in the early morning (3-5am) after sleeping for 4-5 hours. The only mitigation I have found is to place a finger over the air exit holes by the valve flapper until I fall back asleep. The popping is not hose moisture - I have checked and rechecked. I am still congested, discounting returning to the pillows yet, so at this point I don't know how I am going to get a full night of sleep. Even more importantly, I am awakening my lady, who didn't ask me to bring a drum to bed.

On my mask, I used to get that phenomena related to the pressure being too low while in the ramp period.
I quit using ramp some time ago because I no longer need the pressure relief while going to sleep.

Nasal pillow masks generally don't have a valve called the anti-asphyxia valve that allows you to breathe in air when the CPAP machine has stopped or is not keeping up with your required inhale flow rate. Full Face masks do and that valve on my oral mask was the cause of the noise for me.

Perhaps you are having a similar problem??

I use same mask and never had popping issue. If it is pressure related as earlier post suggested would make sense I have not experienced it as minimum pressure for me is 18 and maximum is 25. Basically I max the machine out from the minute I hit the on button.

Sorry I dudn't mention it before.
You could try disconnecting you CPAP hose from the machine end and try breathing through your mask.
If low pressure is the cause, you should be able to recreate the popping sound.