Finding an Elusive Leak

[Mesquite]

I've got a Vango Comfort self inflating mat that's developed an annoying little slow leak which I cannot locate.

I've tried the usual soapy water sprayed over it several times including one attempt with a high concentrate of soap but no bubbles were found.

I'm just wondering if anyone's got a suggestion I can try as I really don't want to chuck it out if I can help it as it's an extremely comfortable mat.

 

[saxonaxe]

A few inches of water in the bath, no soap, just clear water. Submerge the inflated mat in the water, you will have to press it under, and watch for a bubble stream. Don't worry about water ingress there won't be any as the air pressure when you gently press down forces air out.
I did this with a self inflating Multi Mat which failed the soapy water test when trying to find the leak. A tiny bubble stream showed where the leak was located. Do it carefully, try not to disturb the water too much, just gentle pressure and turn the Mat over, so that you get a view of both sides.

 

[MartinK9]

Have you dunked it in a bath yet?

Ah, Saxon beat me to it.

 

[Toddy]

Have you dunked it in a bath yet?

Ah, Saxon beat me to it.

Me too

 

[Mesquite]

Have you dunked it in a bath yet?

Ah, Saxon beat me to it.

No I haven't simply because it's too big for my bath. It's a base camp style mat 190cm long, 75cm wide and 10cm thick.

Looks like I'll have to see if the grandkids have got their paddling pool out this weekend.

 

[oldtimer]

You don't have to put all the mat in all the time to do the water trick. It is possible to do one bit at a time. Also, are you sure it isn't a faulty valve/stopper?

 

[gibson 175]

Have you dunked it in a bath yet?

Ah, Saxon beat me to it.

agree with all the above. had very slow leak on my exped..dunked...VERY small stream of bubbles from around the valve...maybe 1 or 2 every few seconds..couldn't think of a solution,so just live with it..its ok for 1 night,then loses air by next morning..I can just about use it for another 2 or 3 nights if I can't be bothered to pump it up.( out of interest ,how old is the mat? interested cos I also have a Vango shangri la 7.5cm. and wondering how long it might last)

 

[Tony]

I had the same thing with my downmat, very irritating, spent ages with it in the bath working my way through it, repeated the process and never found the leak... But usually I'd expect to so it's worth pursuing...
It doesn't need a lot of air in it to work so you can make it more bendy and push down on it...

 

[Mesquite]

Well I managed to wrestle it through my bath each side and didn't see anything so I repeated the process and still couldn't find the damned leak

I know it's there because I can inflate it right up and after about 5 or 6 hours it's noticably softer so it's unlikely to last a nights kip with me lying on it.

 

[Stew]

Change in temperature changing the internal volume?

 

[Mesquite]

Change in temperature changing the internal volume?

I've tried blowing it up at different times and leaving it but still the same. Also, I've left it out in the sun and it doesn't get firmer over time despite feeling hot to the touch and just deflates slowly.

 

[Stew]

Any way to fold it in half / barrier half off to see which side deflates more quickly to help narrow the search field?

 

[Mesquite]

Any way to fold it in half / barrier half off to see which side deflates more quickly to help narrow the search field?

I don't think so and I'd probably end up damaging it by clamping it hard enough to get a proper seal between the two halves

 

[oldtimer]

I've tried blowing it up at different times and leaving it but still the same. Also, I've left it out in the sun and it doesn't get firmer over time despite feeling hot to the touch and just deflates slowly.

Madame says this reminds her of me.

 

[zornt]

Wired thought. What if you filled it with soapy water then put pressure on it?
Jon

 

[Mesquite]

Wired thought. What if you filled it with soapy water then put pressure on it?
Jon

I wouldn't want to put water in a 10cm thick self inflating mat as I doubt I'd ever get all the water out and properly dry again