Draining the Air Bottle

The first task is to drain ALL the air from the air bottle or reservoir to enable us to safely remove the valve assembly.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE VALVE ASSEMBLY UNTIL THIS STEP HAS BEEN COMPLETED-THE RESULTS COULD BE LETHAL

Locate the very small recessed Allen-headed screw in the Top Hat (arrowed) and fully unscrew it. Now carefully unscrew the Top Hat from the valve stem. It may be necessary to us a mechanical aid such as pliers to grip the Top Hat. If so, then a suitable pad should be used netween the tool and the Top Hat to protect the Top Hat from damage

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Once the Top Hat is removed, clean all traces of dirt and/or locking compound from the thread and replace the Top Hat loosely back onto the valve stem, screwing it on several turns only. DO NOT SCREW IT FULLY HOME OR YOU WILL NOT BEABLE TO DRAIN THE BOTTLE IN THE NEXT STEP.