Help! There is a leak in my pumping set-up!

Hey guys,

I just received my pump from LA-Pumps and have done two sessions so far.

During the first session I noticed that I had some difficulties keeping the vacuum after reaching the desired pressure(4-6 hg). I thought perhaps the reason was an improper seal at the base since it was my first session and I was not completely shaved.

Next session I`m completely shaved and I know that my seal is great. I`m also packing the tube at the first 2-3 inches so the seal should be great almost automatically? I push the tube close to my body to prevent any leakage. This time however, the leakage is even worse. I have to pump all the time to maintain vacuum.

Just to be sure I tried pumping my stomach and I get the same result(not able to keep the vacuum).

Is there anything I`m missing guys?

I tried tighting the coupler at the end of the tube, but it does not help. I also can`t seem to hear where the leak is coming from.

Is my pump broken?

Thank you in advance!

Can you pull a vacuum and then disconnect the hose from the tube? If the tube appears to be holding the vacuum, then it is the pump.

Thank you.

I did not consider that option. The tube seems to hold the vacuum without the pump. I can`t tell for sure as I tried on my stomach and I don`t know if I maintained 5 hg or it just dropped near zero. Hard to tell.

If it is the pump, is there anything I can do to fix it?

Not that I know of. If it is new, ask for a replacement.

Update:

The guys at Lapdist wanted me to pump the tip of my finger just using the pump and the hose. I easily pumped up to high pressure and it remained there.

Seems like the pump is not the problem after all.

I await to hear more from them.

Are you applying any lube to the bottom of the flared end of the tube?

Plenty:)

I have now figured out on my own what`s wrong.

I believe there is something slightly wrong with the connector at the tube.

When I tighten it normally, the tube will leak, but if I loosen it slightly(almost close to where it should start letting in air) the tube is able to maintain pressure.

I was able to pump perfectly fine today, so I just need to remember to not tighten the connector very much.

That small O-ring is susceptible to being overtightened, glad you located the problem!

Tighten the connector? It should be a snap fitting, not something you have to tighten. You could try a small piece of teflon tape wrapped around the female part of the fitting that screws into the tube. Don’t use too much or overtighten the fitting. And lube that O-ring.

I am talking about tightening the fitting that screws into the tube, not the connector.

I`m pretty confident that I don`t overtighten it at all, because I used the same set-up in the past with no problems.

I will try lube and teflon. Thanks!

That’s the most common area for leaks in a new tube.