Fixing a Sparkel carbonator (1/2)

[SCRnflz]

Apparently the most common reason for the system to get gummed up and stop working is the use of "homemade carbonation", i.e., using your own mixture of citric acid and baking soda because it turns out that the original Sparkel carbonation mixture is a finer powder. I'm in the process of fixing my machine.

I was stumped on taking the side panels off UNTIL I figured out that there were screws (6 total) hidden behind the white, square plugs and the small, white, round plugs on the back white panel. That's the trick that's probably stumping a lot of people looking at this video for answers.

After I clean that valve or whatever it is, I plan on still using my citric acid and baking soda mix but I'm going to run it in my coffee bean grinder to try and make it finer.

[jesebsp]

i've found that if i run a couple cycles after not using it often, will fix it. make sure there's no baking soda or citric acid hardened where it goes in.

[NameIsDoc]

I'm in the process of disassembling. How did you manage to get the side panels off I'm trying not to break it

[davidlichty]

Is it possible to directly add the baking soda and citric acid to the back reservoir bypassing the top hole?