Hard-to-find Kite Leak Problem

[evh]

I have a leak in my 7m LF that only deflates the kite when it is on the beach. If I pump the kite in my backyard in non-windy conditions, it stays inflated. Our local bladder repair expert kept the kite overnight, and declared it OK. After another deflation incident at DB, I sent the kite to Airtime in Hood River .... they said they fixed a "small" hole, but that after that the kite was OK. Saturday at Iverson, the kite deflated promptly on the beach. Right now it is remaining happily inflated in my back yard.

So, it seems like the leak only happens when the kite is under some kind of wind pressure. Does anyone know how to locate this kind of leak?

[IslandKiter]

Check the valves - however you plug up the kite when you are done pumping. If those are loose or not tight enough, they could lose air when the kite is bumping around in the wind - but wouldn't necessarily loose air when sitting still. I had a problem when I pumped my 7m for the first time. I kited around for about 20 minutes until I noticed it deflating. I didn't have the release plug in good enough so it was losing air when it got torqued on, but not when it was still.

[j.p.]

I have a leak in my 7m LF that only deflates the kite when it is on the beach. If I pump the kite in my backyard in non-windy conditions, it stays inflated. Our local bladder repair expert kept the kite overnight, and declared it OK. After another deflation incident at DB, I sent the kite to Airtime in Hood River .... they said they fixed a "small" hole, but that after that the kite was OK. Saturday at Iverson, the kite deflated promptly on the beach. Right now it is remaining happily inflated in my back yard.

So, it seems like the leak only happens when the kite is under some kind of wind pressure. Does anyone know how to locate this kind of leak?

Given what you've wrote, ((and I've see this issue before)) I suspect it's the plumbing between a strut and the LE. In Static conditions (no wind) the leak is pinched off and not a leak....
I'd pump it up in the wind and and wet out all plumbing with soapy water. You'll clearly see the leak.

[Robert]

The one-pump hoses was where I found my slow leak last year. One of the zip ties holding the one-pump hoses had come slightly loose. When the kite was sitting still, it didn't leak. Bumping around in the wind, it slowly leaked, but I was never able to find the leak on the beach. It was just too noisy in the wind. Pushing, pulling, and bending all the one-pump connections while in my quiet back yard, in no wind, and I found the leak pretty quick.

[stringy]

edward get a squirt bottle and put some soapy water in it and do what robert does. you should be able to find the problem area easy enough. also confirm the valve is completely closed and sealed properly when at the beach. good luck

[j.p.]

The one-pump hoses was where I found my slow leak last year. .

That would be the 'plumbing'
I suppose this would be a down side to those deploying the "foe functionality"...
In some cases, you end repeating what your foe just stated...

[PistolPete]

For what its worth, to replace my old Cabrinha 1 pump tubes I bought several feet of this Silicone Rubber Tubing...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FN1FMO/ref=biss_dp_t_asn
Part Number SCT-188B-10
Inside Diameter 3/16 inches
Outside Diameter 3/8 inches
Wall Thickness 3/32 inches
Length 10 feet
Lower Temperature Range -150 Degrees Fahrenheit
Upper Temperature Range 500 Degrees Fahrenheit
Material Type Silicone Rubber
Shape Round
Durometer 50A
Description Very Flexible

[jason]

LF also provides some replacement tubes with their kites, so you probably have some spares, if not let me know, I have a couple extra's.