Your vape tank leaking can be really inconvenient, but there is usually a simple explanation that can easily be resolved at home. In this post we will be outlining some of the reasons your tank could be leaking to help you easily identify the cause and resolve the issue.
Are you using the right e-liquid?
If you are finding that e-liquid is leaking through the airflow on your tank or is spitting out of the mouthpiece when you vape, it may be because the e-liquid is not the right ratio for the tank/coil you are using.
Using the wrong ratio of e-liquid for your chosen tank can lead to some leaking. If you are using a sub-ohm tank with a large coil it will usually pair best with a high VG e-liquid. This is because these e-liquids have a thick consistency that is easy for the coil to absorb without becoming over saturated.
Using a thinner e-liquid such as a 50/50 could cause the coil to over absorb the e-liquid, it then has nowhere to go but out through the airflow, and can sometimes even spit out through the drip tip.
If you are unsure about which e-liquid you should be using, take a look at our blog post ‘How do I choose the right e-liquid?’
Check coil placement and O rings
If you have noticed e-liquid leaking from between gaps in the tank, or you have a gap between the base and body of the tank, it may be an issue with the coil placement or O rings within the tank.
If the coil is not correctly inserted it could cause gaps at the base of the tank where e-liquid can escape. If you coil screws in, make sure the threads are correctly lined up, if you have a push fit coil ensure that the coil is properly aligned and is sitting flush. Your tank should screw together with no obvious gaps, maintaining the vacuum within the tank and preventing leaks.
If the e-liquid appears to be seeping out from the base of the glass on the tank it may be that the O rings which seal the gaps between the glass and the base of the tank have become brittle, unaligned or damaged. There will be usually be a set of replacement O rings in the box for the tank or device which can easily be replace.
If you are unsure how to fit a coil in your tank take a look at our YouTube channel, where we have videos showing how to use the vape kits we sell, including how to insert the coil.
Is your glass cracked?
Check the glass on your tank for damage, especially if your device has recently been dropped or bumped.
It is tempting to ignore a small crack until it becomes a bigger problem, but even a small crack will mean that the internal vacuum of the tank will be broken and gravity will draw the juice out.
Some tanks will come with a spare glass in the box, but replacement glasses can be easily purchased if needed. Be incredibly careful when changing your glass, especially if it has shattered, small shards of glass can not only cause cuts but could also get lodged in the bottom of the tank. Clean it out thoroughly to ensure no glass remains before reassembling the device.
Using the device correctly
When you are changing your coil we always recommend priming the new coil before inserting it, to help it last as long as possible and kickstart the absorption of e-liquid. However, it is possible to over-prime your coil and this can result in e-liquid leaking from the airflow and spitting from the mouthpiece. Before inserting a fresh coil, you can pop a couple of drops on the exposed cotton around the sides of the coil, this is referred to as priming the coil.
However, if you are putting too much e-liquid onto the coil before even inserting it, the coil can become oversaturated and the e-liquid will collect within the coil and eventually leak out through the airflow or mouthpiece.
If you suspect that the coil is oversaturated you can help clear the e-liquid in a couple of different ways.
- Hold a tissue over the mouthpiece of the device and flick it downward a few time, this will help the e-liquid to come out through the mouthpiece.
- Hold a tissue around the airflow of your tank and, without firing the device, blow into the mouthpiece. This will blow any excess e-liquid out through the airflow allowing you to simply wipe it away.
- Without inhaling the vapour, fire the device two or three times for just a second or two to see if you can vapourise any excess e-liquid within the coil.
It is also important to always keep your e-liquid topped up to avoid dry hits and prematurely burning out the coil. However, if you are overfilling the tank you may find that excess e-liquid is leaking out when you close the refill window.
Finally, if you are finding that your device tends to leak when you are not using, it may be that you are storing it incorrectly. When you are not using your vape device it can be easy to just through it in your bag or pocket and forget about, however, if the tank remains upside down or on its side for extended periods gravity will set to work and the e-liquid will find a way to leak out of the tank. It is also important that when your device is on charge it remains upright rather than laying on its side.
If you have explored all of these possibilities and your tank is still leaking without an obvious reason, pop in to your local Evapo store and a member of our team will be happy to take a look at the device and help resolve the issue.