Does that include the valve itself, not just around it? Sounds like it could be the plug itself if you can't find any bubbles. Are you plugging it solidly and doing the velcro up nice and tight?

Other than that, I knew someone with the same issue once, we searched for bubbles and leaks for ages. She eventually bought a new bladder, just one of those things, it ended up being the only option.

The kite is a North Rebel 08, yeh i have checked with soapy water around valve stem. I'm thinking that iI might have to pump it up more,bit concerned that I might over do it.Cheers.

buy a foil

EB said...

The kite is a North Rebel 08, yeh i have checked with soapy water around valve stem. I'm thinking that iI might have to pump it up more,bit concerned that I might over do it.Cheers.

The kite is not onepump, so you only need to focus on the LE. On Norths, pay a lot of attention to the area around the valves, this has been a problem area for this brand for a few years (leaving kites in hot cars is a contributing factor - don't do it). Spray all over and around the valve cap too.

Use a spray bottle and put plenty of detergent in it, so that it will show any air bubbles. Pump the kite to what you consider operating pressure.
Also pay particular attention to the area under the pump leash, where the kite rocks on the ground when you are pumping it up, and also to the areas of the LE that hit the ground first when you are self landing it, 99% of leals will be found in these areas.
One other spot to pay attention to is the ends of the LE, where the bladder is folded over, if you have a lot of sand/ground coral in the kite, then it can work a hole in the folded area of the tip.

Soapy water will find the leak, really soak the LE in the mixture, but focus on the area that comes in contact with the groung, not the inside sail area, unless you have mean friends who have poked a hole in your kite with a pin?

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

you will find that out of the LE the bladders will stay up for a lot longer. However in the LE the bladders are under a lot more pressure. If you still can't find a hole or leak grab a new bladder. Its the only way......

EB said...

Yeh thanks for all that, this is a weird 1 as it has been pumped up on the back lawn for 3 hrs and hasn't gone down. I'll have to reinstall the bladder and double check the valve area. Does ambient temperature play much part in pressure changes as last night over a few beers the kite was pumped up on the back lawn it did get frosty and quite cool and alas the bladder lost pressure?
Surely it should not be that dif****ult? How often do crew have trouble with there bladders?

Yep temp and pressure are linked. When you pump up a kite just the action of pumping heats the air coming out of the pump a few degrees or more.
Then if you crash a lot or your kite sits on the water a while because you had trouble relaunching it, then it will appear to lose pressure because the air inside the bladder has cooled and condensed. The opposite happens if you leave an inflated kite on a hot beach or struts inflated in the back of a car.

I've never had a leak in a bladder that I could not find easily with spray bottle and detergent, or even by feel - holding the bladder close to my face/moving the inner part of my arms over it - your skin is very sensitive in thse areas.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Yeh Thanks for that the bladder is actually a new one the kite it self is only 5hrs old the original bladder blew up as i was pumping it up for the second time.It just went pop.Has to be one of lifes more dissapointing moments. The hole was too large to repair successfully so new bladder was purchased. Any how refitted the bladder into the kite as it was holding air all day yesterday. I will secure the valves with cable ties and keep my fingers crossed.Not bad have been kiting 5 hours can hold my ground and successfully change LE bladders, now to learn to jibe. I think it is getting windy?
Cheers.

Maybe the valves have a bit sand in them when you push the plug in and that can let a bit of air out sometimes. How long did it take to go down the first time? Why did it blow up the first time not some thing that should happen if the kite is new.

Jacko