Shouldn't die after 2-3 days ... i use a 2L btl, 2c sugar, 2 tbsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp dry yeast, and i've had my units produce CO2 in excess of six weeks before tapering off... sounds like you've got a leak somewhere... Shawn Keslar, Chemist Nat'l Res. Ctr. for Coal and Energy Analytical Laboratory PO Box 6064 Morgantown WV 26506-6064 304 293 2867 x 5472 FAX 304 293 3749 skeslar at wvu_edu