Make sure it's the hose and not the valve on the bladder. The glue can quite easily give arounde the input valve, particularly if the kite has spent time in hot vehicles. They can easily be re glued, use Selley's polyurethane glue.

SaltySinus said...

Hi all, I've a 2010 kite that's sprung a little leak. To be specific, where the pipe (thing) that goes from the main bladder joins one of the smaller struts.

I.e. it's where the host goes over the nipple (tee hee). Any advice? Straight to the shop, or should I get the duct tape out?

Thanks and sorry for newbie qu.

(I'm in Melbourne if that helps).

take it to a shop..

Thats if you have no clue and you want it done right the first time.

Could be one of the following:

the strut valve nipple is heat damaged/cracked/leaking,
the zip tie over the nipple of valve is loose,
the soft rubber tube that joins the strut to the L/E is sun damaged or a leaking/needs replacing
valve needs replacing
pin hole in strut bladder

If you attempt to do it yourself. put it in a bucket of water first to see where the leak is as per above issues.

Kite fixed, new nipple (tee hee), $25. Nice.