hi all. I have 2 kites 2013 airush razor. I can pump them up rock solid and have a grate time for hours just mucking around in waves and boosting, but when I unhook and try for some mobe's and passes, I crash quite often, and sometimes it only takes 1 hit and the kite go's soft, to the point that I cant lunch it. its come to the point that I take a backpack with a pump with me and leave it on the sand bars just in case.
I check the inflate and deflate valves and they are good. I pumped them up at home and left them for a few days but they were still solid.
very frustrated. anyone suggest anything else it might me?
Hey mate,
You say you've checked the inflate/ deflate valves but have you checked the valves and the hosing between the struts and the leading edge. I've had these valves split slightly at the bases which means the can leak if you bend them slightly (as would do in an impact) I would pump the kite up pretty hard and have a good play around with the valves to see if they are leaking. Failing that it's time to take the bladder out and investigate, could be the tiniest of holes somewhere. Hope that helps and good luck
I had I quick once over of those rubber things and made sure they were all tight, didn't see any splits, but ill do it agen and look for them. I just don't want to send them away only for the kite repair to do the same thing and tell me its fine, would be the first time!!
yeah remember ruuber can warp at zip tie connections - pump you kite, stick it in the water and wiggle all valves back n forths - you may find something.
one of my kites did the same thing and it was the inflate male part of the valve (i had swapped it for a newer looking one)
The trouble was that the sealing part was only at the bottom 1/4.. the original part sealed the full length that it pushes in... drove me insane trying to work it out because it stayed rock solid like yours...
Just a few times in 4 years of repairs Ive seen kites that behave the way you describe.
Eventually - its a tricky one - we found a small area (just a line) of delame on a valve base which can seal off when pumped tight just with the pressure of the bladder against the LE. But in the crash situation or if the bladder doesnt blow up exactly flat then air will escape.
Can be extremely difficult to find as it can be intermittent.
Best method Ive found for checking without removing the whole bladder set is:
- semi pump kite (say 5>6psi)
- dunk each valve well below water then twist & turn vigourously.
- spend a bit of time on each to be sure.
This usually tells the tale. If not its full bladder removal time then the same routine in the raw.
Stuck Zippers. I drizzle 100% detergent through them then boiling water with detergent added. Repeat several times usually.
Some just never move - but the acid trick sounds worth a try - if all else fails.
Acetone is another one I havent tried - maybe before the drastic acid treatment?
Never had any luck with CRC type stuff to actually break-up the jam but as soon as they crack it helps.
Select to expand quotekemp90 said..
I had I quick once over of those rubber things and made sure they were all tight, didn't see any splits, but ill do it agen and look for them. I just don't want to send them away only for the kite repair to do the same thing and tell me its fine, would be the first time!!
Not just the rubber hosing bud, I've had the valves slightly split on kites before, have a good check of those, I had a kite that held pressure all day until I flew it hard or crashed it, that turned out to be a split in the actual valve that the hose connects to on the leading edge..
I've also seen the same problem that puppet mentioned, I'd be taking the bladder out to save mucking about, much easier to work on that way, and despite what some think isn't that much of a job especially if you've got two people
