can you fix a BCD?

[justleesa]

I know that it most likely not possible to do so, but I thought I'd ask any way.

I heard a leaking sound when I wore my BCD and thought that it was the inflator hose. Turns out that there is a small (glass needle head size) hole on the inside. I have no idea how it got there, but it's there. Is there any way to fix it? I already have a new one and it is different in the configuration. I guess I'm a creature of habit because I'm really, really comfortable with my "old" BCD (400 dives) and would hate to give it up with out a fight :bawling:

 

[onfloat]

Depending on where it is, if you can get directly to the bladder try a little aquaseal on it.

 

[redacted]

Aquaseal should do the job. Be carefull not to glue anything together that you dont want glued. Bigger holes and tears require a patch. Small hole should be OK with just AS. If not, you can always resort to a patch as long as there is enough room.

 

[justleesa]

It's a scubapro bcd and the hole is right above the handle of the back plate in the nylon fabric too...very assessable. Is aquaseal a fluid that will bind with the bladder and/or will fill a hole of that size? - Is the bladder adhered to the fabric?

 

[dpbishop]

My AT-PAC was 20+ years old when the seams in the bladder let go. I asked at an LDS and they were able to order a replacement no problemo. Check and see if one is available for yours if the hole is too big for aquaseal.

 

[Web Monkey]

If it's like the other ScubaPro BCs I've seen, the bladder is not seperate from the BC, it is the BC.

For a little pin hole, Aquaseal should work great.

You might want to look around the area and see if anything is rubbing, since the fabric they use is generally very durable.

Terry

It's a scubapro bcd and the hole is right above the handle of the back plate in the nylon fabric too...very assessable. Is aquaseal a fluid that will bind with the bladder and/or will fill a hole of that size? - Is the bladder adhered to the fabric?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

It's not uncomon to get a hole in that area if the BC is dropped or if the BC and tank falls over as the handle becomes sort of an anvil that pinches the fabric between the handle and what ever the BC hit when it fell.

Scubapro has used bladderless BC designs for the last 30 years. They are very durable and are not prone to the chafing and wear that occurs between inner bladders and outer shells (especially if a little sand or salt gets betwene them) but they are not bullet proof. The downside is that repairs when needed tend to be more visible and replacing the "bladder" is much more expensive.

If you are good with your hands and with tools, vou can remove either the inflator assembly or the shoulder dump valve and apply aquaseal through a long, thin, stiff plastic tube (from the hobby store) to the inside of the bladder. It makes for a much neater and virtually invisible repair as 95% of the goo is on the inside of the bladder not the outside. This is also by far the best way to repair seam leaks in SP BC's as well. Either way, inside or out, care needs to be taken that you do not glue the front and back of the bladder together.

Aqualseal is my adhesive of choice for this type of repair as it is permanent and very effective. On jobs like this where flexibility is not a critical concern, I like to mix it with Cotol 240 to accellerate the curing process so it will set up faster (about 5-10 minutes) and be completely cured in a couple hours. Otherwise it takes a couple hours just to set up and 24 hours to cure and it is harder to keep it in place until it sets.

 

[justleesa]

Very helpful and interesting guys!! I'll give it a go!! I would really hate to toss it. It still looks pretty new, considering how many dives I've done with it.

 

[Walter]

I wish I'd had DA's recommendations when the seam on mine started to go. Luckily, I kept it (I just need another backplate).