eleaf lemo leaks when on its side when it's filled over half way

[mix1983]

Hard to say, looks like it was leaking from where you adjust the air flow. I had the air flow closed off a bit but when I took the bottom off to try and figure out what was happening I opened the air flow all the way. After that the leaking stopped, but the tank was down to about 3/4 full at that point. Not really sure what caused the leaking to stop but that's the point at which it did.

 

[travis85904]

And is it starting to leak while it's laying down on its side? Or when it's standing up straight?

 

[mix1983]

I believe while laying on its side (in my pocket while seated). I got out of a meeting at work, went outside and reached in my pocket to realize I had a problem.

I haven't had a problem the rest of the night after I took it apart at work. I have it laying flat in front of me as I type this and no issues yet. The fluid level is just below the seem where the deck cover meets the chimney.

 

[travis85904]

Yeah it seems like for me the only time it leaks is where I've got it filled over 1/2 to 3/4 of the way, and always when it's on its side, so I've just been trying to keep it in an upright position if I'm gonna be filling it up all the way for the day, til I have vape enough to where I know it won't leak

 

[snufulufugus]

I'm going to jump in here, as I've been using the Lemo for a couple of weeks now. It is my first RBA so I certainly have much to learn: mine seems to leak out the bottom from the main screw between tank base and 510 base that screws up into the deck and provides airflow . I imagine some liquid could get into the top of that (hollow) screw and come down between the tank base and 510 base, but my build seems as clean as possible to me and the cotton wick is not touching the metal surface where the airhole is.

Could it be possible I have so much juice in there after assembly and a bit of use that if tilted liquid goes into the airhole?
Could juice leak between the insulator and post of the juice deck into the main hole?

I do fill through the bottom fill hole, then turn it back upright, attach to 510 base, and take some large inhales while covering airholes until I see some bubbles indicating pressure. Is this the correct method? Any tips would be greatly appreciated - I love the tank, PERFECT airflow, but steady light leaking between tank base and 510 base, and I have even used silicone tape on fill screw to ensure that's not the source.

Thanks!

 

[RandyF]

I have 2 Lemo's and have had no leakage at all, but I was coming from Kayfuns, which are basically the same build. Some condensation will build under the tank on the 510 adapter, but that was true with my kayfuns as well. Whats good about the Lemo is the 510 adapter keeps that condensation off the device and out of the 510 connection.

Now if you are getting so much so that it is leaking out the side holes, then I would guess you do not have enough wick. You should have enough wick to rest on the base, but not so much that it blocks the juice channels. The latter will lead to poor wicking, while not enough will allow too much juice in. You want to wick to catch the juice as soon as it hits the base, otherwise it will keep filling up until it does get to the wick.

 

[travis85904]

I'm going to jump in here, as I've been using the Lemo for a couple of weeks now. It is my first RBA so I certainly have much to learn: mine seems to leak out the bottom from the main screw between tank base and 510 base that screws up into the deck and provides airflow . I imagine some liquid could get into the top of that (hollow) screw and come down between the tank base and 510 base, but my build seems as clean as possible to me and the cotton wick is not touching the metal surface where the airhole is.

Could it be possible I have so much juice in there after assembly and a bit of use that if tilted liquid goes into the airhole?
Could juice leak between the insulator and post of the juice deck into the main hole?

I do fill through the bottom fill hole, then turn it back upright, attach to 510 base, and take some large inhales while covering airholes until I see some bubbles indicating pressure. Is this the correct method? Any tips would be greatly appreciated - I love the tank, PERFECT airflow, but steady light leaking between tank base and 510 base, and I have even used silicone tape on fill screw to ensure that's not the source.

Thanks!

other than making sure you have the flat head screw that is on the air control ring tightened all the way, all I can say is, when filling from the bottom fill hole only fill to about what appears to be half way full (while the tank is still upside down) then when you flip it back right side up it'll actually be more like 3/4 full, if that makes sense. but yeah other than that when I fill it any higher then that I get be king as soon as I lay it down on its side so pretty much if I want to fill it any higher than that I have to leave it upright

 

[snufulufugus]

Thanks for the input. I'm going to rewick today and use more wick. I've watched a couple of videos, and read a few longer posts about using more wick, attaching bottom chimney and then tucking wick onto the deck from above. I hope it's as simple as using more wick. I will report back.

 

[puffthemagicdragon]

Thanks for the input. I'm going to rewick today and use more wick. I've watched a couple of videos, and read a few longer posts about using more wick, attaching bottom chimney and then tucking wick onto the deck from above. I hope it's as simple as using more wick. I will report back.

Both of my Lemos are also constantly leaking, all 3 o rings are in place and my wicking looks similar to working builds, it's extremely frustrating.

 

[RandyF]

Cover all four air holes with your fingers and take a short "primer puff". You should get zero airflow, and all you should see is a bubble rise from the juice channel. If you do get any airflow then there is a problem with one of the seals (assuming there are no chips on the edges of the glass), if you don't and still have leaking problems, it has to be a wicking issue. Both of my Lemo's have been leak free since I have had them, except one time when the seal on the bottom of the glass was kinked just a bit when I put it back together. The pressure test will let you know if it is a problem like that.

 

[WeirdWillie]

I have 5 Lemo's and none have ever leaked, unless you count the time I forgot to put the fill screw back on one.
You guys with the leaks, remember that this style of chamber is vacuum operated, and if you have your airflow closed off too much, you can flood the chamber.
Although the deck is similar to a Kayfun it's not a Kayfun and will allow more juice up the channels, my advice is open up that air flow some more and try using a little more wick, loosly on the deck, if you do the rabbit ear method try leaving about 1/4" more and gently lay it across the entire lower deck with a piece of kanthal try to avoid packing it in the lower deck.
Once I have the lower chimney and wick in place I pre juice my wick by dripping 10-15 drops of juice down each side untill I can just see it wanting to come out the channel holes that way I know my channels are clear.
I found the little extra cotton I leave instead of cutting it flush with the lower chimney actually allows it to wick better, and gives a nice jucy vape doesn't matter what ratio juice I run 80/20, 20/80, 50/50.

 

[snufulufugus]

I will try that on the next build - I appreciate any tips that can help. My current build, I did the 'rabbit ears' method, with the cotton cut about a 1/2 inch above the lower chimney piece. I believe I did pack it in there pretty good, not super tight, but tighter than you advise I'm sure. While this method and the added wick has seemed to help maybe a little, the problem of liquid coming through the main screw persists. Every few hours I have to separate the tank bottom and 510 base and give it a quick wipe with a tissue. The longer I wait there is more, sometimes even in the channel on the 510 base. I have even taken the main screw out, wiped down and dried all the pieces and it is still leaking slightly. I am just not sure where the liquid is originating from - which would be helpful to know. I don't know if it's coming from the surface directly below the coil, or from potentially between the two pieces(insulator and screw post) that the main screw screws into. Very frustrating. I really enjoy the Lemo's performance so I will stick with it for now, just trying as many things and listening to as much advise as possible.

 

[snufulufugus]

One quick addition: Could quality control be an issue at eLeaf? It's likely user error, just throwing it out there.

 

[WeirdWillie]

One quick addition: Could quality control be an issue at eLeaf? It's likely user error, just throwing it out there.

I bought mine from 3 different places at different times, and have not noticed in issues in quality, I'm more enclined to believe it's user error with closing off airflow too tight and sucking too much juice into the chamber that is not being vaporized fast enough.
The Lemo loves airflow and wattage, you can't give it too much of either, it reminds me of back in the day when I was kart racing running Westbend 820's the more air and fuel you fed them the more they wanted I ran quad tillie's and they still begged for more.

 

[mix1983]

Mine hasn't leaked since that one day I posted about way back. Pretty sure when I cranked down that flat head screw/positive post (the one with the AFC ring) that's when it stopped. I've had it broke down several times since then to try new builds or to re-wick for juice changes. She's been dry as a bone.

 

[MidwestGuy]

Mine will leak pretty bad if I fill and immediately let it sit without vaping it/priming it/building up vacuum. This is the only scenario which has caused leaking in my Lemos. Whenever I fill, I vape it strong for about 8-10 pulls at a minimum of 18 watts to build up a good vacuum and make sure everything is sealed properly. I suppose I could build up the vacuum without firing it too just by pulling on it w/out firing, but what's the fun in that?

Wicking is definitely key too. I've re-wicked these things so many times that I can pretty much eye-ball where to cut after pulling the wick through. I use Japanese cotton pads (Ko-Gen-Doh) - I cut a rather large piece (probably about 1/2" for a 1/8"/3.175mm inner diameter coil) and pull a "layer" off each side to expose only the fluffy innards of the cotton pad. I then twist one end in to a point and feed it through the coil (I will completely cut this twist off, don't want any twisted cotton in the coil) - there should be resistance but not too much. I trim both sides (looks like a bowtie when done), juice the wick, and then use a micro-flathead to "stick" the cotton down to the side of the deck... the ends are just slightly brushing up against the channels, but definitely not in them. I then put the lower chimney portion on and check the wick again to make sure the channels are clear. Drip more juice on the sides of the coil where the cotton is now resting until I start to see a little starting to come out on the outside of the lower chimney. Test fire.

Then I begin full assembly... I make sure the silicon washers for the glass are clean and dry. Set the silicon gaskets in their designated channels, making sure they're seated properly using my micro flathead. Juice the edge of the glass a little bit and then set it on the silicon and twist the glass until it slides nicely on top of the silicon. I then do the same to the top glass and silicon. Also put a small amount of liquid on the black upper chimney gasket as well, and then tighten everything up. I am a firm believer in lubricating gaskets; creates a great seal and also prevents them from getting bunched up/deformed when tightening things down.

Close everything before filling, cover all air holes and take a pull - nothing should happen/it should be completely closed down. If you get any airflow through it, break it down and try again.

Fill 'er up, seat the silicon "plug", twist on the base nice and tight and vape away. This is my method and I'm stickin' to it!

 

[snufulufugus]

Excellent ideas. I will address the gaskets next build, as well as more cotton, I'm thinking even more cotton than I'm using(which I have already increased a lot) couldn't hurt either, and a gentler 'tuck' onto the deck. I seems like I am doing what I am doing correctly, just maybe don't know the entire to-do list yet - so I appreciate the step-by-step info a lot. I'll post back next attempt, with hopefully improving news. Thanks again.

 

[dice57]

doctor, doctor, it hurts when I raise my arm!!! Well, don't raise your arm.

wick channel hits an air pocket, juice seeps into atomization chamber, flooding and leaks out. These things happen. Either don't set it on the side when half full or less, or figure out where the juice channels are and make sure they remain immersed in juice and not the air bubble.

 

[Bassnorma]

So my Lemo also leaks. Everything is tight but juice is coming out of the air holes. Very disappointed.

As does mine....maybe it is a LemoN....Followed Willie's ideas on filling and airflow. Checked all of the o-rings...wondering what the odd looking ones are in the package...they look like another type of ring, not "o".

Anyway if it leaks again today I will conclude the that only horribly wrong thing I have done regarding Lemo is to buy one.

The Billow I purchased the same day (while it has soft screws and is a bit if a pain to build) is the same form factor and looks like it cannot leak.

ETA: And in fact, to Willie's credit; I was apparently doing something horribly wrong. I must have had the air flow too tight and I filled it less....so far so good.

 

[Bassnorma]

doctor, doctor, it hurts when I raise my arm!!! Well, don't raise your arm.

wick channel hits an air pocket, juice seeps into atomization chamber, flooding and leaks out. These things happen. Either don't set it on the side when half full or less, or figure out where the juice channels are and make sure they remain immersed in juice and not the air bubble.

Mine didn't leak until it was on its side...but it was full. Thanks Dice =)