what would you do?

RS24 · Post by **RS24** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:37 pm

The LE bladder on my Cabrinha leaks. It was purchased new from a shop in California. Do I just suck it up and fix it(I have never repaired a kite before), but it doesnt seem too bad, or are these warranty issues?

Dean Rizer · Post by **Dean Rizer** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 2:19 pm

I would first check with the shop to see what they suggest. You want to at least be on record if the bladder is faulty. Last year Tighe helped me, I watched, replace a leaking LE bladder of a 15 Diesel. I can still smell the baby powder! I recommend patience. Read the instructions carefully and make sure you have the strings tied to the bladder tips before you pull the bladder. Once pulled, check that the valve seal isn't faulty. If it is, that should be a manufacturing defect. If it's a pinhole leak, check for more in the same area. When you reinsert the bladder insure there are no twists. It's very important to wash off the baby powder before you return to the beach. I forgot to.. got some strange looks. Blain said something about loving the smell of Baby Powder in the morning.
Be carefull!

gbgreen59 · Post by **gbgreen59** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:21 pm

As a first check, I'd make sure the main valve on the LE is not leaking around the seal. Cabrinha's have this unique inflation/deflation valve. I clean this seal prior to screwing it together each time I inflate. It is very easy to get debrie on the seal if you don't check it. Inflate the kite and put soapy water around the valve. If it is leaking, you should see bubbles.

Another note...If you find that there is a tear in the bladder around the main valve, then you may be twisting the valve in the kite each time you put the valve together. Cabrinha warns (or did in 2005) about being careful when screwing the valve together when not inflated. Once the LE bladder is inflated, you can tighten it. There is a trick to holding it together when not inflated, but I won't describe it over the internet. Ask one of the Cabrinha users in your area to show you.

RS24 · Post by **RS24** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:00 pm

whats the best way to find the leak? Is it easier to hold the thing under water or spray soapy water and look for the bubbles. Also does the bladder need to be removed to find the leak?

Any shops that can do this? I need it fixed by the weekend. It pisses me off as this is a brand new kite. I dont see any way that warrenty work could be done by the weekend.

RS24 · Post by **RS24** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:04 pm

on a side note, Cabrinha said they would not warrenty the bladder as it was purchased over 90 days ago, even though it was never even used

gbgreen59 · Post by **gbgreen59** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:36 pm

It is best to hold the LE under water and watch it. I have an inflatable swimming pool that works well...no rough or sharp edges. Soapy water works, but I've missed leaks using this.

One thing you can do is blow the kite up at the lake and then start dunking it. You'll find quickly if the leak is on the big valve seal.

If you are in the Cities, there's a bunch of guys that would help you. If it were me, I'd find where everyone was meeting after work. Take your kite there, and start working on it. Someone is bound to give you a hand. It's really not too hard to repair bladders. There was a recent thread on this forum talking about fixing leaks around the base of valves. You might read it. Make sure you bring string with you, so you can thread the bladder back through the LE.

gbgreen59 · Post by **gbgreen59** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:41 pm

Here is another side note. Contact Bob Cook about your warranty. He is a Cab dealer and frequents this forum. His user name is Toyletbowel (sp?). He may do more for you than the shop you contacted.

RS24 · Post by **RS24** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:45 pm

hey thanks.....so where is everyone going today

i have access to a swimming pool, but will the chemicals have an effect on it at all?

So to start, I basically inflate the LE and hold it under water. Then go from there.

gbgreen59 · Post by **gbgreen59** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:00 pm

That's what I would do. I'm suprised there are no more responses. Maybe everyone is at work. I'll be here in an hour or so, several the the home-boys will step in.

gbgreen59 · Post by **gbgreen59** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:01 pm

...change "be" to "bet" in my previous post...changes the whole meaning.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:43 pm

when you're looking for your leak make sure you have a marker ink pen and draw a big circle around it so you can find it later. Don't stop looking just because you found one hole there may be more. Nothing more frustrating than fixing it and inflating your kite for it to go down AGAIN.
When you remove the bladder tie a kite line to each end and make sure it's not going to come loose. When you pull the bladder out ,gently, the lines feed through the leading edge tube so you can get the bladder back into place by pulling it through the leading edge with the lines.
Bladders are a pain with the companies as they don't want to deal with it. Cabrinhas quality procedure is to inflate each kite and leave it for 8 hours, if it doesn't leak it's good to go. So their attitude rightly or wrongly is you did it!.However you should have received a patch kite with your kite which works very well.
Before patching make sure the kite is dry and clean, make sure you have all the leaks and when you put the bladder back in make sure you don't get a twist in it.
I'd just do the repair...it will be faster. I don't know where you live but I for one and I'm sure other experienced guys who live closer to you would be willing to help you do it. Having said that it's really not complex, just think about it, plan a little and be careful. YOu could even post how you plan to do it and we could help critique the plan etc.

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:35 pm

I use soapy water personally. On a couple of occasions, I couldn't find a leak by dunking it under water, but soapy water found it right away. They tend to be small holes and the pressure of the water when it is over the bladder tends to prevent air from escaping and making bubbles. Soapy water makes bubbles right away.

Also, to Steve's point make sure that all holes are patched before putting it back in the kite. I inflate my repaired bladders only up until they hold their shape (which means very little pressure) and leav it overnight.

Denis

gbgreen59 · Post by **gbgreen59** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:07 am

RS24...how did it go with your bladder repair yesterday?

RS24 · Post by **RS24** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:51 am

I didnt do it yesterday, but hope to get it done today

As far as the process goes, I was planning on just holding it under water to try to find the leak. Does the bladder need to be removed for this part? I guess after that, it sounds like it should be folded like an accordian and covered with baby poweder to make it go back in easier

gbgreen59 · Post by **gbgreen59** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:02 am

Yeah, just dunk the main valve underwater without without removing the bladder. This is just to check the obvious first before doing the harder part. As noted above, Denis has had better luck using soapy water to chase leaks. Wish I was there to help. It is a little intimidating at first, but after you've done it a few times, it becomes pretty easy.

RS24 · Post by **RS24** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:48 am

I will give it a go today or tomorrow, if I dont get it by then, I will have to bribe someone on here to help me out

Gotta have it done by thursday night

scottchapman · Post by **scottchapman** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:44 am

Side Note that was helpful for me. Remember to fold the bladder like and accordion before you try to pull the bladder back into the sleave. You could even try putting it into a shoe box or something to keep it together.

RS24 · Post by **RS24** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:44 am

thanks for all the tips boys. If the storms pass through today I will try to get it done later in the day.

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:15 pm

Oh, not sure if someone mentionned this before, but remember to tie some string at the end of the bladder before pulling it out from the center. That way, it is a lot easier to re-insert it. Tie the strings on the bladder again and pull it through the sleeve, watching for twists.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Denis

RS24 · Post by **RS24** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:28 pm

any type of string? would the control lines work?