MSR Guardian leaking from the base. Troubleshooting your MSR Guardian that is leaking.

[@robdowney127]

I used the retaining ring from the lid of a Nalgene water bottle. This worked well.

[@LuxPerennialsNursery]

Hey Mike ! I never comment on things... but this was GREAT! Just have to tell you the story. My husband and his buddy that do a big backpack trip every year, headed off on their trip yesterday. No cell phone coverage, no way to get online, etc. But they did take a satellite phone for emergencies. Good thing. They had an MSR Guardian purifier and it was the only one they had, they had hiked into the mountains in Oregon about 10 hours, setup camp and tried to filter water - big leak. No idea what to do... except to hike back to the car the next day and bail out, with no water for 24 hours. They called me just to find out if I could find anything online about this problem as well as alert me that they had a big problem. I googled it and did some research and your video came up! One of the first ones. I watched, figured this might be it, did more research and found out LOTS of people have this issue. Called them back and sure enough that was their problem and they were able to fix it! Great video, very clear explanation and solution. and THANKS for posting - you have helped a lot of people. We are very grateful!!!

[@jonathanbutton1]

I 3D printed an O ring and it has worked ok so far. I used the measurements of 68mm ID/73mm OD and I used a thickness of 2mm, but you can also get away with 1mm. I used PETG for the 3D printing as it is water resistant.

[@Elfin4]

I've just ordered one too. The potential leaking from the bottom is an easy fix and doesn't put me off.

[@sealteem5]

Why would anybody want to buy this when they still have their handles breaking? You have troubles with the piston. It leaks out of the bottom. You have to loosen it up. You have to go to the hardware store to buy gaskets. You have to Jimmy rig. This thing with a Pringles can lid, you gotta be kidding me and you’re gonna put your life on the line and trust this thing out in the backwoods for 380 bucks because they have gone up I think I’m gonna pass on this one because MSR has had handles breaking for years I don’t even get Why they even put stuff out and not test the hell out of it and obviously customers are testing it and having to deal with these issues but we buy these things to take out hiking survival issues you need to trust it for that kind of cash I think I’m gonna pass on that one until they can fix all these problems because I don’t think they fix themgreat video. Thank you for that great information.

[@pyro_h2o]

Hi Mike,, I had the same problem and after watching your video and trying your fix with different thickness spacer's, which did kind of work but did not fully stop the leak, I swapped the bottem black O-ring on the filter to a thicker one I had hanging about, "appox size 3mm - 40mm "... a tight fit and fully fitted the o-ring slot , "no gaps",, also relubricate with the msr silicone grease,,, and tighted right up as when i first had it with the nalgene bottle on,,, After about 10min's pumping tap water and no leak's yet , so fingers crossed for me...... and let hope MSR sorts this out whether its a spacer or an o-ring,, cheers for the video without it would not have thought about changing the o-ring

[@robertleake5467]

Can you confirm the oring size you used, and if the fix is still a viable option?

[@pyro_h2o]

@@robertleake5467 Hi Rob ,, i just took the O-Ring back out to check the size and it is not 40mm by 3mm , it's size is 50mm OD - and 4mm thick.. still a tight fit and watch the top o-ring as it popped out of the slot when refitting refitted did integrity test,, and pumped 1full bottle then took it off and pumped for about 5min's without no leaks ,, so i would say this fix also works 100%.. If you try this fix and it works for you or if it does'nt please drop in a reply,, not just for me but everyone who has a Guardian ,,,

[@robertleake5467]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply, It seems that something so trivial should have been taken care of.

[@glenloewen7507]

Thanks for posting this. Mine doesn’t have the problem to the same level, but water has been coming out from that area and, to your point, it’s very hard to control how tight it is when the bottle going on and off will tighten and loosen it. I actually find it frustrating how hard it can be to *not* have the bottle unscrew the filter from the base when trying to take it off. I am, however, a big fan of MSR overall. They really stand behind their products and most of the time I’m happy with what I buy from them.

[@voltron5128]

Helpful video....really wanted this but after seeing many complaints and your video demonstrating the issue I will definitely be passing on this for the time being. Whoever is running Guardian needs to think big picture and get this resolved before their reputation is further damaged.

[@Vixiea]

Thank you for this, literally had this issue over labor day and was not happy. Especially when a replacement filter is 60% of the price...

[@DarkStarDireWolf]

Dude! Thank you! I thought my cartridge was bad after not using it for years and assuming it dried out. Bought a new one and it still leaked like that and had to drink from a creek. No giardia though. You rock!

[@daphneraven6745]

Thank you very much sir for making this video and putting it out there. No one wants to have to do it like it is, but you’ve pretty much been forced. Such an expensive product. So many fails. I have an old one about 17 years old. It uses the old ball valve technology going from the holes into the head of the unit. It does not self clean, and occasionally I do overtighten mine or forget to lubricate your ring, and have to back it off and live it to reseat the O-ring. Occasionally gets airlocked and I have to turn it upside down and pump out a couple of times. But nothing like what you’re experiencing. That’s just terrible. Nobody needs their unit spraying water all over them when they’re trying to rehydrate. If a person’s winter camping, It could catastrophically set a person up for hypothermia. Again, thank you very much for putting the information out there, along with your fix. This is really too bad. MSR used to create excellent product that was really reliable.

[@Deborah-hv2lc]

Hi, thank you so much for taking the time to make your video. We have now 3D printed a spacer. We kept tightening the purifier and never thought it would need loosening and we're on the point of buying a new one. Maybe that's why MSR don't offer a fix. Thank you again.

[@leamsi1309]

can you find a way to send me the file/info so i can print it myself too?

[@janinekleerup7936]

please! @@leamsi1309

[@ghosthikerswanderings6129]

I’ve used this on the entire AT, PCT and CDT. Had that same issue but super easy to fix even in the back country. I love my Guardian especially when I had to filter from so many cow troughs! Worth the weight in gold!

[@neilfrancis2461]

I have the exact same issue! Thanks for taking the time to make a video of the solution!

[@kreidefelsen]

Yeah, me too. Ridiculous for this price!!! Hello MSR? Want to comment?

[@flying207]

Super helpful! Just ran across this on mine. Couldn't figure out why it kept shooting out all sides!

[@robdowney127]

I fixed this by using a Nalgene bottle lid ring. I removed the water bottle lid and then cut off the plastic ring that keeps the lid connected to the bottle. I used this lid ring as an extra gasket. Problem solved!!!

[@DaveSmith-cp5kj]

This is really the cause of the design flaw, they basically designed this for the Nalgene bottle and not for its own cap. lol

[@caxio2]

THANK YOU for making this video and sharing this fix with us. It also worked on my MSR Guardian. I was just about to do a video to explain to MSR what my issue is. The more the housing started leaking the less confident I got and the more I worried about the water quality I was probably producing and drinking. Could you perhaps still share what measures you take when you plan not to use the filter during weeks or months. Thank you in advance.

[@darrenjgraham]

I came across this vid while checking out mine for safety after not using for 8 months. Seems like cold is an issue, I use mine up to freezing alpine but only if there’s farming or significant native or ‘pest’ goats etc that might be around or above me. Still trying to find a good reference to check if mines still doing its job. Thanks

[@robertdelorme8779]

Thanks Mike! Was on the phone asking MSR a few questions about this issue and the fix was to pull back slightly as you mentioned. The Home Depot gasket will be an easy, permanent fix. I recently purchased a Rogue Echo Bike for 1400 Canadian dollars and had to modify the arm attachments myself, no biggie, I'm used to stuff like this.

[@Defnaru1]

What was wrong with the arm attachments? Considering getting an Echo bike lol

[@robertdelorme8779]

@@Defnaru1 the left one would not tighten snug. Lot of people live with it. Rogue even sent me a new arm, lol, was an easy fix once I figured it out, but it bro, you'll love it!!

[@bryanbuttigieg4118]

Thanks!! I have exactly the same issue!! And have had my first model replaced under warranty after the same parts you had fail broke on mine as well! Will try the cosrl gasket fox for the leak!

[@aestaing]

Super helpful man ... way moreso than MSR ... THANK YOU !!!!

[@maverickboyer1581]

Great video man, thanks for doing the leg work calling msr.

[@lfree6869]

this helped with my MSR Trailshot as well! omg THANK YOU MIKE

[@beardedjohnson]

This is great, thanks Mike! I have heard about this problem as I research pump filters. Seems like an easy enough mod, provided the rest of the unit stays in one piece. 🤣

[@alexandermonzon8165]

Well thanks for saving my Family $340 was gonna be a big purchase that at this time I don't think is worth it...

[@artimusgarcia-cuellar8026]

You know, I try all the time to loosen the filter part and I continue to have leaking issues. The part the broke for me was the 45 degree black coupler on the white screen. That should be made of sterner stuff. Maybe my gasket IS bad? I do love the volume of water the Guardian can pump, but this leaking issue is a big turn-off.

[@PaulAmor]

Just used the guardian for the first time this last week. Filtered about 8 litres a day for a week and the thing is amazingly fast and I had no issues with leaks as you did. Old filter Of ~25 years was the MSR waterworks II with the cleanable/ replaceable ceramic filter. It is still working fine and I was going to replace the ceramic element for this trip and then I saw the guardian. Expensive for the guardian but with 25 yr on the original it was about time for new tech (no srubbing/cleaning with this one and about 4x faster filtering).

[@notwaitingtolive]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

[@jockcherokee5180]

Thanks for this simple fix. Stay safe & well

[@georgenavarrete1454]

Great review! You would think a company like MSR would issue a service bulletin or better yet, issue a washer like you built, to correct the problem. This is not a cheap product! I was looking at this product but am having second thoughts. Looking also at the Grayl.

[@Speeny89]

It's really embarassing for MSR, what they built there. In general the purifier ist just perfect. It backflushes itself, the waterflow is really fast, lightweight and purifying. I also had the gasket problem and had success with changing the lower gasket for following one: 60x3,0mm. I ordered them on AliExpress and they close the bottom really tight. But then it is really properly sealed and nothing leaks anymore. Anyway i will try to get a new model of it, which has fixed this problem by MSR. I don't pay 350$ for a gear, that has a construction failure.

[@laurawidman2531]

was that 66mm external and 60mm internal x 3.0 thickness o ring?

[@therealchickentender]

It's such a damn awesome device I really wish they'd get this design worked out with RUGGED parts in the portions that need it. At $350 for purification hand pump one would ASSUME the tolerances are aerospace grade, but clearly not. Still fantastic but still... I've seen several reports of a failure right at the pre-filter intake, the 90deg fitting snapping off and I've been tempted to encase that area of mine with silicone to try and avoid such a failure. Have you had this issue?

[@glenloewen7507]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@paleryder5163]

Follow up? Hows the guardian doing now? Any problems after the leaking?

[@ears9506]

I just bought an MSR Guardian and would like an instruction video showing the steps as presented in the owners manual that comes with the Purifier. Yes, visual learner here :). Trust in ones equipment is very important when in the outback country. Now I am wondering if this will be an expensive waste of pack space

[@matterickson9523]

Me to … foy check. Tightening a Nalgene for the integrity test cause mine to start spraying as you show here. Thanks for the fix!! Any word on official fix?

[@KINGSTONSPRIDE]

350 bucks with so much problems. WTH!!!

[@frigzy3748]

I just bought that filter and immediately had the issue. Apparently, there have been no improvements or fixes.

[@watchman9198]

Do you regret buying?

[@frigzy3748]

@@watchman9198 no, absolutely not. I 3d-printed a spacer to fix the issue with the leaking base and it has been flawless since then. I took it to ~10 multi days camping trips and it was a life saver.

[@watchman9198]

@@frigzy3748 okay good to hear. I’m debating buying one this week with the Boxing Day sales but I see a lot of videos complaining about them. But as far as an all in one, self cleaning, virus removing purifier. The guardian just seems like the perfect setup. Btw when you store yours do you leave it wet like they recommend? And then after it sat for a few months do you flush it out with anything or just run a little water through it? Thank you!

[@frigzy3748]

@@watchman9198 yes - I keep it wet. It has never been longer that a month between uses, so I don't worry much about it. They recommend to sanitize it once a year or so. Maybe I should actually do it for the first time. I'm glad to be of help!

[@flpoho]

I have seen two pistons break off guardian filters in the field - And just discovered that my own filter has this leak issue. Over tightened? Unforgiveable design flaw on what is marketed and priced as premium equipment. MSR should recall, or provide free upgrades.

[@kahumanu5022]

In the field ?

[@DaveSmith-cp5kj]

@@kahumanu5022 It means in actual use, not just testing at home.

[@kahumanu5022]

@@DaveSmith-cp5kj thanks dave.

[@TheSaint135]

Wow great information, thanks!!

[@TGBahr]

Oh my, is this actually happening after this product has been on the market for the many years that it has been? How can they not recall this bad batch of items?? Otherwise it seems to be built quite well and it appears solid. The price would still be ridiculous, even with a properly functioning filter. I'm eying the Katadyn Hiker Pro, but it doesn't appear as sturdy, and I don't think you can do an integrity test with it. Does anybody know another purifier that also comes with a carbon filter, which could be an alternative to the Guardian and the Hiker Pro?

[@dickbuttspeterson]

Geopress from grayl could work if you still wanted one.

[@MrPogiBalut]

Thanks! Bud.

[@codyheisinger2190]

Any other possible quick fixes like tape (either/both to seal and to keep the the threading slightly loose like advised)?

[@Dioxideize]

I think you are just over tighten the bottle you just loosen 2 or 3 turns of bootle this leak will be fixed.

[@watchmikehike5568]

NOPE!

[@rbraehler]

thanks a lot.. easy enough

[@dailoman]

What thickness gasket sheet did you use?

[@tahanlaoboy]

Thanks

[@johnmccarthy8160]

This concerns me because I just bought one. Do you know for a fact that they updated the handle design?

[@watchmikehike5568]

Hey John, The handle was faulty material in the first production run and the pump piston was re-tooled. That info came from the Warranty Department at MSR. The leaking issue has not been addressed at this time. If you have a new one, the only issue you should have would be the leak but I can't guarantee anything. Just my experience with the product and warranty.

[@Melissa-qs8qc]

I've heard a couple of people saying this. I need something reliable to filter/kill stuff in water, if you don't mind sharing.... What are you using instead or/and what is your recommended water purifier?? 🥰

[@masterac7344]

my guardian is actually too over-tightened, anyone good a tool to open it ? i just can't by hand, it is stuck

[@watchmikehike5568]

you could try using an oil filter wrench if you can get one the right size.

[@masterac7344]

@@watchmikehike5568 i actually bought a jar opener before i wrote the comment and received it yesterday, and i was able to finaly open it. Jar opener is better because it is a rubber band, when i had a look for the tool you are describing, it seem to be only metal, but anyway i finaly succeed

[@darrenjgraham]

Did the handle and piston? breaking both happen in cold (freezing) weather?

[@watchmikehike5568]

I don’t remember it being cold when the piston part broke but it was very cold when the handle broke.

[@darrinsands8740]

Grest

[@johnnybgood8779]

Lol. Easy-fix gasket. They’ll probably hike the price to accommodate a new part. They’ll get it right in Another 10 yrs.

[@Rob-ji7fx]

Msr makes cool stoves and ok tents, their water stuff sucks, always has.