Slow leaking bladder..

> 10 years ago
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Giles89
Giles89
WA
20 posts
WA, 20 posts
24 Feb 2013 7:09pm
Hi all

I have recently bought a second hand Naish Park (2012) and took it out for the third time today.

I pumped it up and left it for maybe 20 mins. When I was ready to go I felt it and it was feeling slightly squidgy in the leading edge but more so in all the struts.

I haven't really crashed my kite that badly but did have to self rescue last time after accidentally pulling the safety release.

Strangely my friend had exactly the same problem and her kite was new about 2 months ago.

We are thinking it could be sand in the valves as it seems unlikely we both discover a puncture on the same day. Any thoughts on the cause and what to try??

Thanks
AquaPlow
AquaPlow
QLD
1066 posts
QLD, 1066 posts
24 Feb 2013 10:38pm
DYI or kite shop???
Do U have repair kit?
First up find leak then make decision....

1) bowl/bucket water with shampoo or washing up liquid in - makes bubbles to spot leaks.
2) pump up - isolate all struts - clamp off -
3) which every goes soft - re-pump and paint (or use a cloth) water over tube - if U have a swimming pool available - much quicker - hold each section under water to look 4 leak(s).

Do a search for bladder repair or valve repair - lots of videos - Search on "Tear Aid"
Same approach for valves search on "Kitefix"

Good skill to learn - but equally shops are set up for this...

Cheers
AP
arloj
arloj
WA
237 posts
WA, 237 posts
24 Feb 2013 9:13pm
You sure it's the bladder?

I had troubles with my "12 park (could it be yours?) I recently sold to upgrade to the 2013 to KA

The valve plug for deflating wouldn't fully seal into the hole so I just used some electrical tape an wrapped it around a few times to thicken the plug.
SaltySinus
SaltySinus
VIC
960 posts
VIC, 960 posts
25 Feb 2013 3:22pm
I had something similar. Try pumping it up nice and hard, isolating the struts with the clips on the line and leave it for a while. You should be able to find out whether it's the Leading edge, or a pesky strut.

It's not the end of the world, once you know what it is, pay your local shop to get it done properly and put it behind you. Had a similar thing happen to me from an ebay kite.

Giles89
Giles89
WA
20 posts
WA, 20 posts
25 Feb 2013 10:11pm
Thanks for replies. Arloj's tip did the trick for me.

My friend and I both cleaned the valves of sand and no more deflation issues. Check your valves before going straight to the bladder.
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