Leaky Bare drysuit ?

Stargazer · Jul 17, 2007

My Bare Trilam ATR drysuit kept me pretty dry for the last two years, but the last few dives have ended up wet (me, that is). Based on what was soaked, it seems like it could only be the chest valve or the neck seal. LDS says the valve looks OK and tightened it. The neck seal is latex. Anyone have any experiences with this kind of problem and how to fix it ?

ScubaSarus · Jul 17, 2007

There is usually an O-ring in the chest valve thats was easy to replace for me when my old suit leaked. Did they check that O-ring?
Just use care in removing that valve if you do it yourself and dont force anything.

Stargazer · Jul 17, 2007

I'll take a look....I know they didn't open up the valve to check anything inside. I didn't know there was an O-ring in there. It's not mentioned in the instructions as something to replace.

crpntr133 · Jul 17, 2007

Stargazer:
I'll take a look....I know they didn't open up the valve to check anything inside. I didn't know there was an O-ring in there. It's not mentioned in the instructions as something to replace.

How did they know that everything was ok with the valve if they didn't open it up? I really hope that I am missing something.

Stargazer · Jul 17, 2007

I think the LDS guy looked at it from the outside, tightened it a bit, and pronounced it in good health. He probably figured it was less likely to be the cause of a failure than operator stupidity or something else. So that's why I am asking here now.

ScubaSarus · Jul 18, 2007

When I first dove my new suit, the valves were loose letting water in so it is a possibility the valves were not tighetened down. Looks like your just gonna have to try it then and see by experience. If it leaks again, replace the o-ring as its an easy to do and inexpensive to eliminate it as a cause. A build up of salt crystals and sand can scour the o-ring.

Stargazer · Jul 18, 2007

Thanks, will check out the ring tonight.

captndale · Jul 18, 2007

You are only guessing until you test the suit. First, close off all the openings. You can clamp them closed or put cylindrical objects, such as bottles in the neck and wrist seals to close them off. Then, inflate the suit and immerse it in water or sponge it down with soapy water and look for bubbles. Mark the locations with a grease pencil. Once you know where the leak is, you can decide how to fix it.

Stargazer · Jul 18, 2007

Thanks Capt., will try that.

Leaky Bare drysuit ?

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crpntr133

lost, even with a compass

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