Fed up with leaking sub tank..

[birdy68]

I've only had my subox a few weeks and the tank has been leaking pretty much after the first refill. I've done loads of research, watched a bunch of videos and I know that I flooded the coil the first time I refilled it. But it's never been the same since.Leaks around the air holes constantly, which gets messy. I've washed the coil and dried it out completely (overnight). It works good for a while and then starts leaking. I'm using the 1.5 ohm coil for a cooler vape (still having sore throat issues) running 100%vg at 15 W with the air wide open. Not tons of vapor, which is fine. Seals are all good. Locked down nice and tight. I refuse to buy more coils yet. This one has hardly been used. Not sure why I'm posting this.. There's probably not much anyone can suggest, since I think I've tried everything at this point. I guess I just wanted to whine. Need suggestions on a new setup that is easier to deal with and smaller. Palm of my hand size smaller (maybe ego style with wattage). No need for more than 30 watts. Trouble-free as possible. Something I can fill and forget until it's time to change the coil.Nice cool vape, too.Sick of fiddly-farting around with this one, leaking all over my steering wheel.. lol Thanks Boys and Girls

 

[Hitcat44]

Sorry about your Issues. Have 3 STMs running on Kbox, SubBox, and SX Mini M in TC with Zero Problems so have no idea what's up or possible Solutions.
You can always go to an Istick 30 and an Aspire Tank I suppose.
However, sounds like your Issues are with the Tank and not the SubBox so can't see any reason to blame or dump the SubBox. It will work great regardless of the Tank loaded to it. There are some that bemoan the SubBox Top Pin design and have had Issues from it but again, Personally have had zero problems with the SubBox. Actually, I like the little Devil a lot.

 

[Davycrockett]

Try positioning the air holes near the posts instead of directly in front of the cotton. This seems to help reduce leaking for me.

 

[coilburner]

It sounds like your problem is with the coil, not the tank. Buy a new coil, your gonna need them anyways. How much pg is in your juice?

 

[Bovinia]

If you are using the new vertical coil heads, you may want to try the horizontal occ heads for your STM.

 

[birdy68]

It sounds like your problem is with the coil, not the tank. Buy a new coil, your gonna need them anyways. How much pg is in your juice?

100%VG juice.. PG gives me a sore throat.

 

[birdy68]

Try positioning the air holes near the posts instead of directly in front of the cotton. This seems to help reduce leaking for me.

Thanks.. Just looking at it and the air holes are not in front of the cotton, so I guess that's not the problem. I guess the only solution is new coils. Thank you

 

[birdy68]

Sorry about your Issues. Have 3 STMs running on Kbox, SubBox, and SX Mini M in TC with Zero Problems so have no idea what's up or possible Solutions.
You can always go to an Istick 30 and an Aspire Tank I suppose.
However, sounds like your Issues are with the Tank and not the SubBox so can't see any reason to blame or dump the SubBox. It will work great regardless of the Tank loaded to it. There are some that bemoan the SubBox Top Pin design and have had Issues from it but again, Personally have had zero problems with the SubBox. Actually, I like the little Devil a lot.

I like the Subox a lot myself. I do need a backup though that will run 100%VG juice. Probably will go with your suggestion of istick and aspire tank..Since I can't afford a Provari. lol Meanwhile, guess I'd better get some coils for the mini. Thank you!

 

[dcfluegel]

does it seem to leak all the time or is it after it has been left for a while? couple of things i have seen/ read indicate that letting tank get too low can cause pressure issues (refill when it gets just above level of airholes) or if it is left somewhere too warm (in car) it can cause expansion/ leaking... I have 3 of the new subtank minis and have not had any leaking issues to speak of (knock on wood... or wood grained composite...)

 

[Nikea Tiber]

When you get the new coils also fully disassemble your subtank, wash it and check all the o-rings + mating surfaces, and inspect all the threads for any damage and take care not to cross-thread initially.
This is all stuff you probably know, having watched multiple videos, but I haven't since I've been living in somewhat of a vacuum. Build quality on the tanks seems pretty high, one of my nanos is decidedly worse, but it is also older. It doesn't leak; its threads don't like to catch properly without initial care and its positive 510 contact on the base sits just a tad flush to make a proper connection with some mods.

I hope the new coil sorts things out for you, let us know.

 

[RandyF]

There is definitely something off with your tank. I have 3 STm's and they have not leaked at all. They are actually one of the more leak resistant tanks I have used.

Top leaking problems...
1. missing o-ring
2. damaged o-ring
3. chip on edge of glass
4. coil seal (where the chimney goes in)

Inspect the glass to be sure there are no chips, even a small seemingly insignificant chip will cause issues sometimes. If you haven't already, replace all the o-rings with the spares and see if it still leaks. There is also an o-ring that most tend to forget to mention, the clear one above the 510 threads, though this is more an issue with the RBA section since all the OCC heads come with one.

Short of any of those, it is possible it may just be a faulty unit, but more times than not, leaks are user error.

 

[Larry J]

Just a thought. When I first bought my Subtank Plus I had a lot of problems with leaking. Try cranking up the wattage quite a bit. It sounds like unvaporized juice is collecting in the coil and then running out. I went from 13 watts up to 28 and the leaking problem was solved.

 

[Nikea Tiber]

Thanks.. Just looking at it and the air holes are not in front of the cotton, so I guess that's not the problem. I guess the only solution is new coils. Thank you

If what I picture is what you described, this sounds like the culprit. When you screw a new head to the base of the subtank, make sure the base isn't screwed to a mod. The positive center post of the base floats a bit so it is possible the friction from a spring loaded 510 positive pin on your battery mod caused the coil assembly + OCC positive base cap/contact to stop rotating before the cube coil shell did. If the holes weren't stuffed with cotton I can see how the eliquid in the tank would leak right out the air holes.

I destroyed a ni OCC head trying to unscrew it while the subtank base was still on my (deactivated) mod. The coil + wick got unaligned from the shell as a result of the center post pressure/friction.

 

[RooN]

I just throw out all that's bothersome

 

[dcfluegel]

I just throw out all that's bothersome

lol - what do you throw out if it's operator error?

 

[Hitcat44]

Next time ya rid yourself of the "Bother",,, let me know and I'll email you a pre-paid USPS Label
Unless, the User is the "bothersome" as dc pointed out. Then, just go on and deposit that one in the proper Receptacle.

 

[dhood]

I just throw out all that's bothersome

the coil or the subtank?

 

[RooN]

I

lol - what do you throw out if it's operator error?

If I can't handle it, I throw it out .

 

[birdy68]

does it seem to leak all the time or is it after it has been left for a while? couple of things i have seen/ read indicate that letting tank get too low can cause pressure issues (refill when it gets just above level of airholes) or if it is left somewhere too warm (in car) it can cause expansion/ leaking... I have 3 of the new subtank minis and have not had any leaking issues to speak of (knock on wood... or wood grained composite...)

It leaks all of the time. If I should lay it down, the juice runs out of the holes and makes a little puddle on the countertop.

When you get the new coils also fully disassemble your subtank, wash it and check all the o-rings + mating surfaces, and inspect all the threads for any damage and take care not to cross-thread initially.
This is all stuff you probably know, having watched multiple videos, but I haven't since I've been living in somewhat of a vacuum. Build quality on the tanks seems pretty high, one of my nanos is decidedly worse, but it is also older. It doesn't leak; its threads don't like to catch properly without initial care and its positive 510 contact on the base sits just a tad flush to make a proper connection with some mods.

I hope the new coil sorts things out for you, let us know.

Thanks! I have it apart.. inspected everything. Washed it and dried it. I'm pretty sure it's the coil.

 

[birdy68]

Just a thought. When I first bought my Subtank Plus I had a lot of problems with leaking. Try cranking up the wattage quite a bit. It sounds like unvaporized juice is collecting in the coil and then running out. I went from 13 watts up to 28 and the leaking problem was solved.

If I do that, it runs too hot for my throat. I did crank it up and fired it a few times.. Smelled a little burnt. I need a new coil. Ordering some now.. Thanks!!