Decision Tree: Carrier / Pressure / Flow
Goal: stabilize carrier pressure (no hunting) and remove leaks before changing method settings.
1) Confirm carrier source OK (cylinder/bundle/manifold). Ensure isolation valves open.
2) Check regulator hunting/oscillation. Fix supply stability first.
3) Leak test carrier fittings, manifold, and tubing to analyzer. Repair and retest.
4) Check for restrictions: plugged filters, kinked tubing, blocked capillary/line.
5) After correction: run 2–3 cycles and confirm repeatability + stable retention time.
Quick Symptoms → Likely Cause
No peaks / low flow: carrier off/low, restriction, major leak.
Retention time drifting: carrier hunting, regulator instability, leak.
Baseline noise: often contamination/sampling, but confirm stable flow first.