Had the same problem with my Cab 2009 crossbow. First I tried just submerging but that did not show any leaks. Second time I had it out I tried grabbing a small volume at a time there by increasing the pressure locally while pulling that bladder material apart. That reviled very small perforations which were fixable with some of the Cab patches.ronnie wrote:I tried to make sure it was definately the LE bladder that was slowly leaking by pumping it up a few times and also put soapy water on the valve. I had checked the valve was clean and tight. All the rubber tubes were clamped as tight as possible.
Took the LE bladder out and sumberged it bit by bit from one end to the other twice. No bubbles from the bladder, the valve or the rubber tubes. I left the LE bladder inflated for over an hour and it didn't seem to be leaking (although it was at low pressure so a fine leak may take a lot longer than that to show).
I'm now left wondering if its one of the rubber tubes that only leaks at high pressure?
Any other possibilities?
Thanks Frederick - my kite is also an 09 Xbow.FrederikS wrote:Had the same problem with my Cab 2009 crossbow. First I tried just submerging but that did not show any leaks. Second time I had it out I tried grabbing a small volume at a time there by increasing the pressure locally while pulling that bladder material apart. That reviled very small perforations which were fixable with some of the Cab patches.ronnie wrote:I tried to make sure it was definately the LE bladder that was slowly leaking by pumping it up a few times and also put soapy water on the valve. I had checked the valve was clean and tight. All the rubber tubes were clamped as tight as possible.
Took the LE bladder out and sumberged it bit by bit from one end to the other twice. No bubbles from the bladder, the valve or the rubber tubes. I left the LE bladder inflated for over an hour and it didn't seem to be leaking (although it was at low pressure so a fine leak may take a lot longer than that to show).
I'm now left wondering if its one of the rubber tubes that only leaks at high pressure?
Any other possibilities?
I think the rubber tubes are very durable try pulling them while there is pressure in them with some soap water on them.
forget the soap. the only full proof way to test the bladder is underwater. if air is escaping from the bladder, it will cause bubbles, no matter how small the leak.Peter_Frank wrote:REALLY small leaks in the front tube (or bladders) are hard to find....
Taking the bladder out wont work very often - no matter how hard you push the sections, as you will most probably make it burst or bubble instead, if you got no idea whatsoever where the leak is !
Extremely small holes will close, when the bladder is not under high pressure.
So pumping the full kite up, REALLY hard, not just like when you fly, and then taking it in a pool or the sea when no wind - then you can find the leak approximately or precisely.
You might have to pump the kite when you have finished dipping and checking either the right or left side, before you take the other side - as the whole idea is you have the highest amount of pressure, thus for sure a bubbling hole somewhere
The advantage of this technique is that you find leaks in one-pump systems and valves too, if that is the problem.
Another advantage is, that you only have to take the frontbladder (it is most often the front bladder that got a tiny hole from a sharp bush) out on one side of the kite, so only half the work to get it repaired and back in
Using soap water might in rare cases work, but it can also be a lot of work without finding anything - as it is not easy to get EVERYTHING soaked and soaped so there is air trapped.
A bit of a trial and error method, that might work fine, but often dont work at all too...
When I talk about a really small leak, I mean a leak where the kite will get a bit more soft after using it 4-6 hours, but still okay to fly.
This is still no good if you ride a full day, or you go on a cruise along the coast or out on the sea
You can just pump the kite now and then if riding at the same spot, yes - but somewhere in the back of your mind you are piss.. about KNOWING there is even the smallest leak (I am...)
Peter
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