Regulator inflator problem

Question
I own a Mares MRS1000 BC.  I just completed the pool portion of a Drysuit course.  Apparently, there is a leak when the inflator button is not being pushed, as the BC was slowly inflating (suppose to stay deflated when drysuit diving while underwater).

Unfortunately, I am having some difficulties finding a Mares repair tech in the Oklahoma City area.

If it were a Scuba Pro, my local dive shop would fix it for $10.  So, the repair must be a simple thing.

Is there an issue with an owner taking apart the inflator?  There is one nut where the inflator attaches to the hose.  I am thinking there must be some salt deposit or sand in the way, not allowing the thing to seal/close completely.

Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Greg,

Hmmm.  That Scubapro shop won't even touch it?  Pretty weak.
It's likely a simple sealing problem in the inflator valve, like you mentioned.

I cannot give you specific repair instructions, nor would that be allowed for me to encourage a non-certified person to repair scuba gear.  However, I've always repaired my own gear, and there isn't any law against you doing the same.

I think your BCD uses what Mares calls their Ergo inflater, and I found it on a PDF document here (about 2/3rds of the way down after all the regulators, before the spear guns)

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/14643-1/Mares_Manual.PDF

It shows the breakdown of that unit, which is pretty typical for inflater valves if yours is a bit different.

In the mean time, you can disconnect the inflater hose while you dive if you aren't using it anyway.  I've had leakers like this before and that is how I've dealt with the problem before repairing it.  It is perfectly acceptable (and good practice) to orally inflate the BCD, but with a drysuit, the BCD is merely a redundant lift system.

HTH,
James