Can I verify gas flowing out MIG gun

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Time for another n00b question.  I am trying to eliminate the possibility of insufficient shielding gas in a porosity problem I am having.Tank shows plenty of 75/25, flow rate is set, needle dips when I fire my MIG gun.Is there any way to verify that gas is coming out the tip?I can't imagine where else it's going, hose connections on my Miller 180 are all tight.  Should I be able to feel or hear any gas come out?
Reply:You should be able to feel the gas coming out of the nozzle. Its not a lot of gas but enough you should be able to feel.Hope that helps
Reply:After a little more troubleshooting I found the problem.  Spool gun not correctly seated.Last edited by Tempo; 09-20-2007 at 11:36 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by TempoOK then, so it's not normal that I didn't feel a thing when I put it up to my cheek.  I think I need to go find a feather...
Reply:Make sure that the hose mechanism is pushed in all the way on the feed side.I sometimes pull on the gun (susequently the hose) and dislodge the gas feed alignment inside.When its flowing,you can hear the gas flowing from the guns tip.OldmicsMM 180 and Cricket 90
Reply:Originally Posted by TempoOK then, so it's not normal that I didn't feel a thing when I put it up to my cheek.  I think I need to go find a feather...
Reply:Thanks all for the help!  Ugh, feel like such a tosser now... seeing as how I just welded my first project (some shelves).  I was fighting porosity the whole time and kept thinking it was my technique.  (Well, I'm sure it's that, too, but... not only that.)
Reply:Second.  Do you hear your solenoid click when you pull trigger.First, of course you have gas in the tank and flow meter or regulator is turned on.Third, disconnect hose at the machine see if gas in flowing out.First and a half  remove the nozzle and make sure nothing is clogged.Yeah do what Sandy says.Last edited by tapwelder; 09-20-2007 at 11:44 PM.
Reply:What I do, so I dont have to fool with undoing the wire or anything else, is just put the nozzle in the dirt on your floor and pull the trigger. You'll know
Reply:Tempo,Guess you found the source of your gas/porosity problem.For future reference, remember that leaks in your shield gas system can aspirate air into the system and cause porosity.  It is counter-intuitive, but air will enter into a leak in the pressurized gas flow.  Plug off gas flow at the nozzle, pressurize the system, and check all connections for leaks with a bubble solution.