Fixing leaky inflation point

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Glennno
Glennno
QLD
124 posts
QLD, 124 posts
16 Jun 2008 6:27pm
Hi there,

I've got a Ozone Sport 15 which has had a slow leak from brand new. I bought it in Barcelona so a pain to send back to the manufacturer and it's past warranty anyway.

The only spot on the kite I can find with soapy water that's leaking is the inflation point bung - it's done it since day one and I'm getting bloody annoyed with it. They've got a non return valve on the inflation point as well as the bung but that doesn't help!

So is there a fix for this - the leading edge goes too flat after a couple of hours out and the kite is pretty disappointing considering the money I forked out for it. Unfortunately I didn't end up flying the kite O/S so only found the problem once back down under!

Cheers
tobes
tobes
NSW
1000 posts
NSW, 1000 posts
16 Jun 2008 7:20pm
That's pretty weird, I've found the valves pretty good on the Ozones, only a couple of problems in 2 years of pretty hard use.
The first was the non return valve bit refusing to seal, probably caused by leaving the deflation stick in the valve when packed up. I fixed it by squeezing the valve together for a few minutes, pushing the non return flap closed.
I've also had the valves start to come unglued from the bladders, my fault, left the kites with struts inflated in the sun, inside the black kite bags, fixed with a u-stick replacement valve, replacement bladder sets are also surprisingly cheap, $100 for the whole kite I think.
I expect your problem is a leaky non return valve, try just massaging it back into place, another thing to try is a zip lock tie around the valve to tighten it against the bung.
Hope that helps....re the performance, it's a big kite....unless you're X-Large I don't see any reason to go bigger than 11m.
Glennno
Glennno
QLD
124 posts
QLD, 124 posts
16 Jun 2008 7:53pm
I'll try the zip tie idea! Performance wise I'm happy just disappointed that the bloody thing has leaked from new!

I'm high 90's in weight and it's an awesome kite on those lighter days.

Cheers
NSW, 4382 posts
17 Jun 2008 9:48am
Hi Glenno

Try the cable tie but if that does not work I'll sort you out with a new bladder at cost, PM me if you want more info.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve
Glennno
Glennno
QLD
124 posts
QLD, 124 posts
17 Jun 2008 10:01am
Thanks Steve - I'm heading out today hopefully so I'll let you know.

Cheers

walshd
walshd
SA
601 posts
SA, 601 posts
17 Jun 2008 9:47am
I fixed my old naish by tightening a cable tie around the neck of the valve.

- Make sure you take out the plug first
- Tighten cable tie around neck so that diameter is reduced to about half.
- Dont overtighten it so that it crimps the neck. You also need to bend the cable tie a bit so that it tightens evenly and circular looking.
- Leave for 2-5 days for the plastic to gain some memory.
- cut cable tie CAREFULLY!!!
- Valve stem should be as tight as a virgin now and leak free


On another note, what glue is best to re-glue the valves to the bladder? I used superglue because it was there at the time and it hasnt leaked since. I know superglue wasnt my best choice but it worked
hardhat
hardhat
QLD
44 posts
QLD, 44 posts
17 Jun 2008 12:15pm
Tarzans grip. Works like charm. Still the only thing that goes wrong with 05 fuels.
walshd
walshd
SA
601 posts
SA, 601 posts
17 Jun 2008 12:08pm
Yep you guessed it, an 05' fuel
Skid
Skid
QLD
1499 posts
QLD, 1499 posts
17 Jun 2008 6:29pm
RE: Glue, I have had the best results using vinyl pool repair glue (from pool supply shops).
kitebored
kitebored
NSW
593 posts
NSW, 593 posts
19 Jun 2008 2:33pm
I see that new valves are pretty cheap too and come with a sticky back.. I have an 05 fuel with this issue, think i'll try the glue first though...
sir ROWDY
sir ROWDY
WA
5378 posts
WA, 5378 posts
19 Jun 2008 1:12pm
i wrote a pretty good instructional on how to fix a leak at the base of your valve, its somewhere on here. anyone know where?
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