We have a Delta V with GCCIII and Trace GC. Last good runs were at the  
end of November with no use until 1/2/08. On 12/21/07, I turned the  
source off since no one would be around during the Winter Holiday. The  
PI turned on the source and geared up to run some samples, but: "On  
Wednesday last week, things looked fine for the first couple of runs  
of the standard, and then something happened between the third and  
fourth injection -- n-alkane peaks became delayed, broader and much  
smaller. (The CO2 Ref on-offs are fine -- meaning the problem lies up  
stream of the ref inlet.) My initial thought was a leak somewhere.  
Mass 40 was higher when back-flush is not on, suggesting a leak.  
However, I have checked for leaks everywhere using the leak detector  
and snooping with argon (while monitoring mass 40) and there is no  
sign of a leak anywhere. Backflush valve flows are fine. I have  
installed new septa, and re-oxidized the furnace...still no  
improvements."
I checked, at her request, to see if a mass scan gave an indication  
that the oxidation or reduction furnace was spent. The mass scan, in  
"straight mode" with back-flush and dilution OFF, looks the same as  
with them on, and the masses all appear normal in size, shape, and  
relative proportions. They look very similar to the mass calibration  
scan done on 10/25/07 when the filament was replaced and the  
instrument tuned through the Conflo III (on the EA side).
I even scanned without REF CO2 in, both "straight" and "not straight"  
modes. Peaks are small, no leaks apparent.
Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
-- 
Charlotte Lehmann
Assistant in Instruction
Bates College
Department of Geology
206A Carnegie Science Building
44 Campus Avenue
Lewiston, ME 04240
Phone: 207-786-6485
FAX: 207-786-8334