A misbehaving GC can frustrate even experienced lab techs. According to Agilent Technologies, over 60% of GC-related service calls are due to user-maintainable issues. Here are the top reasons for inaccurate GC results:

Column Problems

• Contaminated, aged, or improperly installed columns can cause peak tailing, resolution loss, or ghost peaks.
• Replace columns according to usage and always follow correct installation procedures.

Septa or Injector Leaks

• Worn septa or loose inlet fittings can introduce air, leading to baseline drift, noisy signals, or ghost peaks.
• Perform regular leak checks and replace injector septa frequently.

Temperature Program Errors

• Inaccurate oven, injector, or detector temperature settings can alter retention times.
• Regularly calibrate all heated zones and verify against standards.

Poor Sample Preparation

• Inconsistent sample volume, matrix effects, or dirty vials cause variable results.
• Use clean, uniform vials and internal standards for quantitation.

Detector Issues

• Dirty detectors (e.g., FID jets or MS sources), aging lamps, or clogged lines affect sensitivity.
• Regularly clean and service detectors, and replace consumables as per the maintenance schedule.

According to Lab Manager Magazine, troubleshooting user-level maintenance issues solves nearly two-thirds of GC performance complaints—saving labs time, money, and frustration.