Why Is My Vape Leaking?

Among the various issues that can occur with a vaping device, experiencing a leak is undoubtedly one of the most frustrating. While e-liquid prices have become more accessible compared to the past, it still incurs a cost – and you’d prefer to avoid any loss. Moreover, a leaking vape can lead to a significant mess if it spills juice in your pocket or onto a surface. It’s evident that this is a scenario you want to steer clear of – hence, in this article, we aim to offer some guidance to help you with that.

Each type of vaping device has its own unique reasons for leaking, meaning that your troubleshooting methods should differ based on the device you have. Considering this, we’ll divide the content into three sections to discuss solutions for a leaking vape tank, pod system, or disposable vape. However, before we get into the specifics, let’s first review some common causes of leaks in vaping devices.

 

Why Do Vaping Devices Leak?

Today’s market offers a variety of vaping devices. However, before we explore solutions for leaking issues specific to certain types of vapes, it’s important to address the broader reasons behind leaks, as these causes are common across all devices. Here’s a summary of those reasons.

• A weak vacuum exists within the reservoir of every vape tank or pod, working to prevent vape juice from leaking out through seams or the atomizer coil assembly. If there are damaged gaskets or misaligned components in the pod or tank, the vacuum cannot establish itself. Moreover, overfilling the tank or pod to the brim leaves no space for air, which also disrupts vacuum formation.
• Each vape tank or pod is engineered to accommodate e-liquids with specific viscosities. Most available vape juices have a moderate thickness to be compatible with a wide array of vaping devices. Nonetheless, extremely thin e-liquids may not perform optimally in tanks that feature broad wick openings.
• If there is a fluctuation in air pressure, whether internal or external, the vacuum within a vape tank or pod can be compromised. This usually occurs when there’s excessive puffing on the device, which overwhelms its airflow management, but it can also be triggered by variations in environmental air pressure. For instance, taking a vaping device to a higher elevation, such as driving up a mountain, may cause the change in air pressure to push some vape juice out of the tank or pod. Since this situation is beyond your control, it’s generally advisable to keep your device only half full when expecting to be at high altitudes for an extended period.

Why Is My Vape Tank Leaking?

When you experience a leaking vape tank, the first step is to verify that the e-liquid you are using is suitable for your hardware. For large sub-ohm tanks, especially those with wide wick openings, opting for a thicker vape juice is generally recommended. The majority of e-liquids utilize a combination of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) as their base, with VG being the thicker component. Therefore, e-liquids containing a higher VG percentage will naturally be thicker than those primarily made up of PG.

When using a sub-ohm vape tank, it is advisable to fill it with vapeyour e-liquid has a VG content of at least 50 percent, it helps prevent flooding issues. Thinner e-liquids can penetrate the wick, causing the coil to flood and potentially leading to leaks through the bottom air vents of the tank. If you’re frequently hearing a gurgling sound while vaping, it suggests that the e-liquid may be too thin.

If you are confident that the viscosity of the e-liquid is appropriate for your tank, the next thing to do is disassemble the tank and inspect it more closely. To identify any potential issues, follow these steps.

• Take apart the tank entirely, separating the upper and lower metal components and taking out the coil. Clean and dry all parts thoroughly.
• Examine each rubber gasket in the tank to check for any that are broken or out of position. If a gasket is damaged, remove it and replace it. Many vape tanks include a complete set of replacement gaskets for this purpose.
• If you don’t find any damaged gaskets, there’s a chance that the tank is leaking due to misaligned components. Carefully reassemble the tank, ensuring that all threads align properly. Components should screw together without hassle. If you encounter resistance while turning any parts, this may indicate crossed threads. In this case, backtrack and try twisting them again until they fit smoothly.
• If the leak persists after reassembly, consider replacing the coil; it might have a manufacturing defect.

 

Why Is My Pod System Leaking?

Typically, a vape tank features a significant opening at the top along with several substantial airflow vents located at the bottom. It’s actually remarkable that leaking vape tanks are relatively uncommon. In contrast, vape pods are designed to be even more resistant to leaks. A leaky vape pod is quite rare, though it can occasionally occur.

It’s crucial to understand that when we refer to leaking vape pods, you shouldn’t be alarmed unless you find a substantial amount of e-liquid under the pod after detaching it from your device. Finding a small amount of condensation beneath the pod base is normal and can be easily cleaned up with a cotton swab.

In the event of a significant leak from a pod system, follow these troubleshooting steps.

• Upon noticing a leak, your first action should be…fill the pod to the brim; always remember to leave a slight space at the top. Not leaving any air space will prevent the pod from creating an internal vacuum, which is necessary for keeping the vape juice contained. Additionally, closing the stopper too tightly could force some e-liquid out of the pod.
• Ensure that the stopper of the pod is securely closed. Most vape pods feature a silicone stopper, so it is easy to misalign it when inserting into the hole.
• If your pod system includes a replaceable coil, double-check that it is aligned correctly and fully inserted. Certain replacement coils are designed with keys that only allow full insertion when aligned properly. Sometimes, simply pushing the coil fully into place can resolve a leaking pod.
• When using your device, try to control the air pressure applied while puffing. Given that pod systems often have tight airflow for a satisfying mouth-to-lung vaping, excessive air pressure can push too much e-liquid through the wick, thereby flooding the coil assembly. If the coil is flooded, you may notice leakage from the pod’s bottom; hence, always maintain a gentle puffing technique on a pod system or any small vaping device.

Why Is My Disposable Vape Leaking?

Among the top benefits of disposable vapes, their leak-resistant design stands out as one of the best features. Typically, a disposable vape stores vaping liquid within a fabric wick surrounding the atomizer coil, a structure that is ideal for preventing leaks. Any potential dripping usually occurs before the wick is installed in the device. However, exceptions do exist; if you encounter a leaking disposable vape, here are some tips to consider.

• Use gentle puffs when activating your device. Since disposable vapes are compact with tight airflow, they can present similar issues as described earlier in relation to pod systems. Firm puffs may lead to drawing e-liquid directly from the wick, which could result in leaking or spitting into your mouth.
• Do not…Until you’re ready to use it, make sure not to take a disposable vape out of its packaging – and if there’s a protective sticker on the device, leave it intact. Occasionally, to guarantee that the advertised puff count is achievable, a disposable vape may be slightly overfilled during manufacturing. Consequently, if you unpack it and set it aside without using it for a while, a few drops of vape juice might leak from the device. To mitigate this possibility, simply puff on the device a few times.