Northern Diver Exhaust Valve Leaking

[rob.mwpropane]

I own a ND drysuit made in 2016, was bought used. It has served me pretty well considering how cheap it was, was basically new when I bought it.

Recently I'm starting to have an issue where my shoulder / arm are damp after a dive. I've taken the exhaust valve off, cleaned it, put everything back together and still it seeps. It was not dirty or damaged at all when I took it apart. I thought I might pull on the spring a little to tighten in up, but then that would make it harder for air to escape.

Any suggestions? It's made by "V-tech".

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Here are some pictures of the inside.

 

[lexvil]

Doesn’t it leak if you close it down a bit?

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Doesn’t it leak if you close it down a bit?

I'm not understanding your question? Do you mean does it still leak if I close it down a bit?

To be honest, I'm not really sure what causes it. I don't usually notice it during the dive, it's just afterwards.

I will say I try to leave it fairly open as with heavy undergarments it can be a pain trying to get all the air out.

 

[lexvil]

Actually the was supposed to read “does it leak if you shut it down a little”?

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Actually the was supposed to read “does it leak if you shut it down a little”?

Ahh, that makes more sense. I can certainly try it on the next dive. What do you suggest, 1/2 turn closed?

 

[lexvil]

I don’t proof read so spell check gets me often.

Are you sure it’s screwed on tight enough? Is there any chance that the flange has a leak where it’s attached to the suit? Neoprene can do some weird stuff over time.

 

[lexvil]

Turning it closed a bit does the same thing as stretching the spring.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Turning it closed a bit does the same thing as stretching the spring.

Come to think about it, when I first started diving the suit I used to close it a partial turn or 2. But then I read that most dive with it all the way open, so maybe I'll close it a hair and see what happens. It's only leaked on me the last 2-3 dives, so that has to be it.

I don't think the flange is leaking.

 

[lexvil]

Closing it a few clicks should work. I usually have mine open, in my bag suit I rarely touch it and count on position to keep the air in but the neoprene is so much easier to maneuver in that I have to turn it down sometimes, like yesterday swimming on my back to get a shot of these clowns