Why is my KFL leaking?

[Reidus]

I'm more than a bit stressed. My KFL is leaking through the air hole at the base. I've stripped it down and made sure everything is nice and tight. I top-fill, making sure to keep my finger over the air hole until I've got the top cap back on and turned over, making sure the bubble is at the top. I expect a bit of leaking at the beginning, but just a bit. I've turned it over and blown through the air hole. But it keeps leaking out of the air hole. What am I doing wrong? I don't have these problems with my Russian 91%.

 

[Knifemaker]

My Wife's EHPro Lite+ does this from time to time. My hcigar 3.1= Never! I would love to have a slightly smaller style KayFun, but I think I'll just stick with the 3.1 for now.

Knifemaker

 

[xpl0it]

Plug the air-intake with your finger and then inhale. You should not be able to inhale. If you are able to then you have a issue with one or more of your o-rings.

It's also possible that you don't have enough wicking material. Therefore it just floods the deck, leaking down the center pin and out of the air-intake. Taking a few images of your already wicked deck can be very helpful.

Also, my personal suggestion would be to fill from the bottom to prevent the possibility of not having an adequate vacuum. You will also be able to add a considerable amount more e-liquid by doing so.

Good Luck! Let us know how you fare.

 

[Reidus]

Update, I just tried filling with the bottom fill hole. It still leaks. It's an original btw, not a clone. If I put my finger over the hole, I can't get any air. As long as hold it horizontally it's okay, just when I turn it vertical.

Update: Since I put my finger over the air hole and tried to vape, it seems to have stopped leaking.

 

[xpl0it]

Glad to hear you were able to get it sorted! Let us know if you continue to have any issues.

 

[Reidus]

Thanks, I will.

 

[Katcandoo]

I've found that if I overfill mine it leaks. I use the clear center tank, and when I fill it from the bottom holding it upside down, I only fill it to where I can just start to see the liquid in the clear part. The first time, I kept filling it until the clear part was full (when upside down) and it emptied the entire tank through the air hole. I'm thinking it has something to do with the vacuum seal.

 

[Reidus]

Part of my problem with filling from the bottom is that I got a Pyrex tank kit from Avid. It looks great and all, but it seems to partially block the fill hole. I can't get the needle all the way down into the tank, which makes filling a slow process.

 

[Ca Ike]

Yep overfilling can cause it to leak on an original. They are sealed well enough that putting the fill screw back in can add just enough extra pressure to force the juice out the air hole. The clones seem to have the opposite problem where overfilling causes no flow/dry hit issues.

 

[crxess]

Under filling is NOT a fix for a leaking tank - it is a short coming.

You have to consider your Mix into your build. A thin e-liquid will require slightly more wick material. A thick liquid may need less.

I have 7 Kayfun style tanks and fill all almost full, leaving a small bubble of air to establish vacuum

If I get a trickle after filling, I hold normal and blow lightly through the drip tip. Wipe away the liquid and check air flow.
A gurgle tells you there is still excess liquid in the wicking chamber.

Fire the mod and blow through the air hole to vaporize the excess.

Vape away!

 

[WharfRat1976]

I'm more than a bit stressed. My KFL is leaking through the air hole at the base. I've stripped it down and made sure everything is nice and tight. I top-fill, making sure to keep my finger over the air hole until I've got the top cap back on and turned over, making sure the bubble is at the top. I expect a bit of leaking at the beginning, but just a bit. I've turned it over and blown through the air hole. But it keeps leaking out of the air hole. What am I doing wrong? I don't have these problems with my Russian 91%.

It leaks cause it's a KFL.

 

[YuckMan]

Update, I just tried filling with the bottom fill hole. It still leaks. It's an original btw, not a clone. If I put my finger over the hole, I can't get any air. As long as hold it horizontally it's okay, just when I turn it vertical.

Update: Since I put my finger over the air hole and tried to vape, it seems to have stopped leaking.

That is kind of strange. Usually blocking the air hole and trying to vape will pull more liquid into the chamber and possibly make the leaking/flooding worse. Sounds like your wick was in contact with the air hole and wicking liquid right into it. You probably pulled enough of the wick off the air hole when you plugged it. I'd suggest making sure you don't have too much wick touching the top of the deck on your next build.

Edit: It could be an o-ring that wasn't seated properly and the extra vacuum popped it into place. Might not hurt to make sure your o-rings are in good condition as well.