The Conflo III sniffer capillaries, perpetually sucking, will eventually collect small particles of airborne dust at their tips, resulting in non-laminar flow and showing increasing peak to peak variation in an on-off test. The tiny open splits in which they reside are too small to flush with compressed air.

To remedy this:

-Remove all capillaries from the open splits

-Remove the open splits from the Conflo

-Epoxy a 20cm piece of 0.32 ID x 0.45 OD capillary to the inside a slightly larger Luer-lock type hypodermic needle. Cut off the needle tip first.

-With a 1.0 ml or so syringe and the capillary/needle, flush the splits with ethanol

-Wipe down all capillaries, especially the sniffers

-Put it all back together, obviously with the capillaries all at the appropriate depth

-Bob's your uncle

True story: The open splits in the conflo IV are situated with the openings facing down, to eliminate this issue.