He y'all, quick question today I discovered that I left the black tooth pick looking thing (air release) on one of the struts valve, and when trying to pump it up today, it wouldn't hold air, I guess I must've damaged the valve inside cause the plastic inside isn't doing its job and holding air, so no longer a 1 way valve.

My question is: is it damaged, I mean is there a way to conform it to it original state, anything I can do? should I just replace the valve?

Tnx in advance.

You probably didn't damage the bladder. Mine did I that a time or 2. Make sure the little white ball is not stuck.

tnx 14ToeSide, I'm not sure I explained my self correctly, I don't think I damaged the bladder, I think I damaged the valve, there a membrane inside that for what I can see won't close anymore, I guess it open as air goes in, and air pushes the membrane back into the valve when you stop pumping air in, shutting it down, the only thing I can think of, is by leaving the plastic air release toothpick stick in the valve for an extended period of time, may have damaged that membrane, deforming it or something, cause when I stop pumping, air come out of the valve, when it should be shut.

I didn't see a ball in it, and after you mentioning it, I don't see a ball on the other valves.

Replacement, or there's hope for a fix?

Tnx.

Contact Drew at WH. He is great with service and advice.

You one-way valve becomea two-way now. Just stop the valve using your finger to stop the air coming out after you pump the strut. It probably will regain its one-way ability after a few times. You do not need to replace it. I have the same kite as you do.

Yeah I tried holding the air with my finger, but I guess I'm not fast enough, lol, I loose about half the air on the strut by the time I can put the cap back on.

I'll give it some time see if it fixes itself.

Tnx Jan_hou

I have had the same problem with my Starkites. You leave the plastic stick in and it deforms the flapper in the valve. Mine got better after inflating them while it was warm and letting the air pressure push back against the flap while the rubber is warmer. I would say above 80 degrees. Sounds crazy but it worked for me. Good luck. I understand how frusterating this is.

I'm glad you mentioned that, That is soooo funny I was thinking today, to get some warm air in there, with a heat gun in low, and a funnel, maybe soften the valve a bit, wich hopefully push the membrane back out, or reshape it. Just thought perhaps I could damage the strut, and turn a simple $15 repair, into a more expensive one.

I just rather spitball with you all, before jumping to some obviously stupid idea, that may not seem so stupid at the time.

Tnx again.

read http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2379180 through to the end, there's some advice / solutions for this problem near the end of that thread.

Don't worry. It's not permanent. I forget them all the time. After a while, the valve is back to normal.