Eleaf iStick Pico leaking !

[carpe_diem]

I have the exact same problem.
Everything is brand new and unused and I see no damage anywhere, all the o-rings are in place and look fine. (I also verified the code and the tank is legit.)
Starts leaking right after filling, before use.

Well not literally right after filling because I let it sit overnight, but before even taking a drag off the tank. So no leaking after sitting upright overnight, but the day after as soon as I opened the air intake and tilted the tank slightly. The tank will empty unless you close the air intake. Luckily it was not on my battery yet.


So after wasting a bunch of liquid I started testing with water. (Everything cleaned, new spare coil.) Same thing: leaks as soon as I open the air intake and tilt the tank slightly. I also retested (with water) after reading this thread making sure the coil was not screwed in too tightly: same thing, still spilling.

Unfortunately I'm new to vaping and this is only my third tank.
Is a test with water meaningful for this?


More questions:
1) Could it be that the factory coils included are problematic? (Extra coils are underway.)
One user I found fixed it by putting in the spare coil.

2) Or maybe there is a manufacturing fault with a certain batch?

3) At first I screwed the coil in very tightly, maybe that damaged something?
It's a bit confusing because usually the advice is to make sure that the coil is screwed in tightly enough. Maybe it needs to be tight but not too tight?


PS: I've searched the net and this seems to be an extremely rare problem for this tank (after all it's supposed to be an anti-leaking design), but the ones I found all more or less seem to describe the same problem: leaking right from the beginning when they start using the tank. In some other thread on this site the person just gave up and ditched the tank.

Here are some others that I found:
Eleaf Melo atomizer leaking
Eleaf Melo 3 Leaking? | Spinfuel Vape Magazine
Melo 3 Atomizer by Eleaf (two in the reviews)
Melo tank (bottom first page)

Still haven't even taken a single drag from this tank!

 

[pfaber11]

I think I would ditch the tank or try a new coil in it. I've been using an Arctic and an Aspire Atlantis for over a year now and have never had a leaking issue. Best of luck finding a solution.
Vape on

 

[Hitcat44]

Yep, they leak. You're not doing anything wrong. They just do.
Both mine and my Wife's did the same thing. They sit-They Leak. Yep, it's the Air-Flow Design. They either lose or never establish proper Vacuum. Even if close the AFC (loose metal on metal working Design), it will still dump just takes a tad longer to manifest.
Shame as it produces great Vapor mass but is a bit lacking comparatively on Flavor.

We did finally solve the Issue though,,,,
Crap-Canned 'em both.

 

[daviedog]

I have the exact same problem.
Everything is brand new and unused and I see no damage anywhere, all the o-rings are in place and look fine. (I also verified the code and the tank is legit.)
Starts leaking right after filling, before use.

Well not literally right after filling because I let it sit overnight, but before even taking a drag off the tank. So no leaking after sitting upright overnight, but the day after as soon as I opened the air intake and tilted the tank slightly. The tank will empty unless you close the air intake. Luckily it was not on my battery yet.


So after wasting a bunch of liquid I started testing with water. (Everything cleaned, new spare coil.) Same thing: leaks as soon as I open the air intake and tilt the tank slightly. I also retested (with water) after reading this thread making sure the coil was not screwed in too tightly: same thing, still spilling.

Unfortunately I'm new to vaping and this is only my third tank.
Is a test with water meaningful for this?


More questions:
1) Could it be that the factory coils included are problematic? (Extra coils are underway.)
One user I found fixed it by putting in the spare coil.

2) Or maybe there is a manufacturing fault with a certain batch?

3) At first I screwed the coil in very tightly, maybe that damaged something?
It's a bit confusing because usually the advice is to make sure that the coil is screwed in tightly enough. Maybe it needs to be tight but not too tight?


PS: I've searched the net and this seems to be an extremely rare problem for this tank (after all it's supposed to be an anti-leaking design), but the ones I found all more or less seem to describe the same problem: leaking right from the beginning when they start using the tank. In some other thread on this site the person just gave up and ditched the tank.

Here are some others that I found:
Eleaf Melo atomizer leaking
Eleaf Melo 3 Leaking? | Spinfuel Vape Magazine
Melo 3 Atomizer by Eleaf (two in the reviews)
Melo tank (bottom first page)

Still haven't even taken a single drag from this tank!

I suggest you read the entire thread, after all OP solved the problem with the advice given. If you throw away every tank that leaks, you'll have nothing to Vape.
The coils that you tested with water should be discarded,,chlorine & fluoride, etc. Even DW would matt up the wick leading to more problems..

 

[Hitcat44]

Beggin' ya Pardon Sir but,,,
No, none of the Tanks in the Ft. Vape Armory leak.
Some may "Seep" just a bit from time to time which is unavoidable given the nature of our Chosen Endeavor. However, IF I fail to follow proper Filling SOP they will leak due to User Error. That's on me.
The ones that have indeed been "Leakers" throughout my 5+ year Tenure in the Vape Life due to inherent Design flaws and/or inferiorities---- Crap-Canned. Period.
Semantics? Maybe. But by Definition Seepage ain't Leaking and visa-versa.
Life's too short and there are far too many Good to Great Tanks to our avail to settle on and suffer a "Leaker".

But, that's just me I suppose.
Vape on and Enjoy no matter what Device(s) you choose or have.

P.s. I DID read the entire Thread. But, thanks much for caring enough to offer the "suggestion" none the less

 

[carpe_diem]

Thx for the replies, keep in mind I had leaking before using the tank, after filling.

Screwing in the coil tightly or not tightly didn't make a difference. There's really not much you can do wrong with this tank, apart from missing or twisted o-rings or a coil that's loose. I don't even think you can really screw in the coil too tightly, not just using your hands.

This is only my third thank and I've never given much thought to how these things actually work on the inside.

But now that I've been looking at this from what I gather the only way for liquid to get into the air-intake chamber underneath the coil is in three ways: where the coil screws into the base, the top of the coil where it seals with the top of the chimney and through the coil itself. None of these seem to explain the profuse leaking I had after filling. Maybe the seal at the top is not working properly so that liquid spills into the central shaft when you tilt it? Don't know what to make of this anymore.

I'm going to try it again with liquid making sure never to tilt it to see what happens. (I'll keep in mind to try to increase the wattage when there is gurgling.)


For what it is worth: when I was searching the net for vaping related stuff noticed this review for the Melo 3 where the reviewer had leaking problems as well! You'll have to admit that's a bit strange: this guy is an experienced vaper who writes reviews for a vaping website, so he should know what he is doing. Granted: that was for the regular Melo 3, not the Mini sooo... that might not mean much, dunno. (I'm a new member so can't post links but the title of the article was: "eLeaf Melo 3 Tank Review" on Spinfuel.)

 

[spiritnan]

I have the exact same problem.
Everything is brand new and unused and I see no damage anywhere, all the o-rings are in place and look fine. (I also verified the code and the tank is legit.)
Starts leaking right after filling, before use.

Well not literally right after filling because I let it sit overnight, but before even taking a drag off the tank. So no leaking after sitting upright overnight, but the day after as soon as I opened the air intake and tilted the tank slightly. The tank will empty unless you close the air intake. Luckily it was not on my battery yet.


So after wasting a bunch of liquid I started testing with water. (Everything cleaned, new spare coil.) Same thing: leaks as soon as I open the air intake and tilt the tank slightly. I also retested (with water) after reading this thread making sure the coil was not screwed in too tightly: same thing, still spilling.

Unfortunately I'm new to vaping and this is only my third tank.
Is a test with water meaningful for this?


More questions:
1) Could it be that the factory coils included are problematic? (Extra coils are underway.)
One user I found fixed it by putting in the spare coil.



2) Or maybe there is a manufacturing fault with a certain batch?

3) At first I screwed the coil in very tightly, maybe that damaged something?
It's a bit confusing because usually the advice is to make sure that the coil is screwed in tightly enough. Maybe it needs to be tight but not too tight?


PS: I've searched the net and this seems to be an extremely rare problem for this tank (after all it's supposed to be an anti-leaking design), but the ones I found all more or less seem to describe the same problem: leaking right from the beginning when they start using the tank. In some other thread on this site the person just gave up and ditched the tank.

Here are some others that I found:
Eleaf Melo atomizer leaking
Eleaf Melo 3 Leaking? | Spinfuel Vape Magazine
Melo 3 Atomizer by Eleaf (two in the reviews)
Melo tank (bottom first page)

Still haven't even taken a single drag from this tank!

Maybe it is a factory batch that is bad .
I finally got the leaf working without leaking after I changed out an O ring ... thinking i tightened it too much when first assembling and so the tank did not have a good seal , but after a few days the darn thing would not draw @ all .
The battery was fully charged , the juice was topped off , I had just spent weeks troubleshooting the leaking problem & had that solved and then I did not get any pull !
I was so frustrated I just abandoned the thing and did not touch it for months , until today when I picked it up in desperation because I let my taste Pro battery die and had nothing else .
The leaf worked for about an hour and then quite pulling again ... I was out and had nothing , so I had to just go without anything .
I talked to the people I bought it from and like you they said this model rarely has issues and so would not refund me ... oh vey ... think it will be relegated to the garbage .
Such a shame to spend the money & end up with a lemon and no recourse for an exchange .
Sorry ... not helpful but just commiserating .

 

[RedRobin]

I have a I stick Pico with Nautilus X, l feel for you, l have never had this problem, sounds like you got a defective one. The place where you bought it should of replaced it on the spot, do not deal with them again

 

[salemgold]

Now that may be the issue , thx ! I have reassembled the tank 3 times now & each time it leaks ... am running a 0.5 ohm coil @ 22.5 W ... am new to these mods so it is most likely user error / learning curve ! I tried higher wattage but liked the vape @ 22.5 but maybe that is too low though I have no prob. running my iSubG tank with a 0.5 coil @ 22 W ... no prob. @ all with leaking . Rings all look good too ... could I have a lemon ?

I am thinking that the Melo 3 is just going to leak because of the design. I have and use many Melo 2s without ever having it leak. But, with the M2 I am able to close the AFC while I refill. Not the case with the Melo 3. I may be wrong but, that is my theory.

 

[RedRobin]

I am sure you did this but l always give tank a good rinse under warm water, glass, etc, if it floods l turn tank upside down and give it good shake upside down till the juice comes out. Also you should try starting at a lower wattage and slowly go higher at 5 clicks at a time

 

[RedRobin]

Also always prime the coil before you put the coil in, Put about 4 drops of juice on each side of the cotton and wait 15 minutes before you start vaping

 

[RedRobin]

Scratch the code on back of coils and look it up to make sure they are not counterfit

 

[Ozzzzz]

Same problem here - new tank and stock coil. It seems to leak through the air holes when tilted sideways - especially if the air intake is wide open.

I opened the air intake slightly and blew down the mouthpiece and can see liquid coming out the side of the base of the tank.

Definitely not leaking from the top.

Now I notice if I close the air intake completely, I can still blow a thin stream of air (and liquid comes out) - does this indicate that the bottom 0 ring is not situated properly?

At 30-50 W on stock .3 ohm coil.

 

[RedRobin]

I can tell you l had that problem if l filled the e juice to high in the glass, trial and error. I only fill up half way so the cotton is completely covered in e juice. Just clean everything, then only fill halfway. Also l find if you inhale too strong it floods as well. I find that too, if l have the mod tilted too much it will flood. Make sure the glass is sitting straight and in snug, l didn't have it snug down and it leaked

 

[Ozzzzz]

clean everything, then only fill halfway

Thanks for the reply - I did fill about 3/4 the first time.
However I'm down to 1/10 now and it seems to still be happening. I will report back after a clean.

May i ask if I should be able to blow air through the airholes when "completely" closed? Could this indicate my coil is not tight enough or an O ring is loose?

 

[RedRobin]

I wouldn't, but that's your call. Just make sure after you clean everything that the coil is screwed in snug not super tight. Have a look a your o rings if they don't look really worn then they r fine. Like l said it's trial and error, l also fine if l wait 13 second in-between drags mod doesn't get hot. Also found my e just had too much sweetener, 70:30 l was going through coils fast, l switched to 50:50

 

[RedRobin]

Always top off your juice, never let your juice get below where you can see the cotton on coil, you will burn out coil. I learned the hard way

 

[RedRobin]

Another good tip is turn the wattage down after you clean it and slowly go up 5 clicks at a time. Plus l am finding 1.8 Aspire Nautilus X coils are much better than the 1.5

 

[wilmncman]

Could I ask the previous poster why you feel the 1.8 coils are much better than the 1.5. I'm asking
because I have a HOH Kabuki tank that uses the Nautilus coils and I have never been impressed
with the flavor. Are you finding the 1.8 gives better flavor than the 1.5 or is it related to leaking?
Thanks in advance for your response

 

[RedRobin]

I find the 1.8 much better flavor and last longer. I did not like the 1.5, big difference in flavour with the 1.8