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Why Is My Vape Leaking?

author-icon Suorin Team date-icon Mar 12, 2023

why-is-my-vape-leaking

A leaky device can definitely ruin a great vaping experience. While every device occasionally leaks a drop or two, a steady leak can give you a mouthful of hot, harsh vape juice. That's unpleasant, but it isn't usually a sign that you need a new vape. In most cases, a little troubleshooting will do the trick.

There are several reasons your vape might be leaking, but fortunately, they're all fixable if it's not device design problems. The most common cause of a leaking vape is an unclean device. When you don't clean your vape device regularly, residue from the e-liquid can build up and clog the airflow. This reduced airflow can cause pressure to build up in the tank, forcing e-liquid out through any opening.

Here's why your vape device may leak and what you can do about it.

In this guide:

  1. Why is My Vape Leaking
  2. How do I Stop my Vape from Leaking
  3. Avoid Leaks with Well-Made Vape Devices

Why is My Vape Leaking

There are some standard reasons any tank or device will leak. These are the most common.

1. The tank is too tight.

When you fill a tank or cartridge, you don't have to tighten it too much. Vape pens and box mods have cartridges that screw on, but you don't have to tighten the tank all the way. Doing so can damage the rubber rings that create the seal, leading to leaks. This is rarely a problem with pod mods because they don't typically require you to screw in the pod.

2. There's liquid in the chimney.

The chimney on a device is the hollow tube inside a tank or vape pen. If liquid accidentally gets into it, it can cause spitting or leaking. To avoid this, stand your vape or vape pen upright when you're not using it.

3. You're chain vaping.

This is one of the main causes of pod and vape pen leaks. When you constantly suck on your device, you generate more heat and force more liquid through the coil. This can cause the air chamber to flood, which leads to the well-known “spit back” some pod mod users experience.

How do you fix this? Slow down your vaping, or use two pod mods at a time.

4. You haven't used your device for a few days.

Overuse or chain puffing can lead to leaks. Not using it can cause the same problems. If your pod mod has been sitting unused for several days, the liquid inside it can evaporate. The liquid seeps out around the device and causes small leaks. Letting it sit in an extremely hot or cold environment will worsen the leaking. Keep your device in a cool place, and empty it if you're not going to use it for a few days.

5. Broken seals and poor fitting seals.

All devices have seals to keep liquid from leaking out. These can be O-rings, rubber gaskets, or other materials. However, if these seals are old or damaged, they might not fit as snugly as they should. Over time, this can cause leaks.

6. Incorrect or faulty coils.

If your box mod or vape pen uses coils, they might be the source of the problem. If a coil is incorrectly installed, it can cause poor contact between the device and tank. This makes it challenging to get a good seal, which leads to leaks. In some cases, you probably need to replace the coil.

7. Using the wrong e-liquid.

Some vape juices are more viscous than others. This means they're thicker and take longer to vaporize. If you use a thick e-liquid in a sub-ohm tank, it can cause flooding and leaking. Use the recommended PG/VG ratio for your device, and don't go overboard with VG-heavy liquids.

How Do I Stop My Vape from Leaking?

Vape leaking is one of the most common problems faced by vapers. While it's generally not that serious, it can be frustrating.

If your vape starts leaking, don't panic. Instead, check to see if any juice has leaked into the battery compartment. If it has, wipes it away with a paper towel. Try these tips to stop the leak if your device is still leaking.

1. Fill up carefully.

Overfilling is the leading cause of juice leaks. Overfilling happens when you put too much liquid in the tank. When this happens, juice flows into the airflow chamber and causes flooding. Only fill your tank to the line or slightly below it to avoid this.

First, be sure your cartridge isn't filled to the brim. You should always see a small air bubble at the top of the tank, cartridge, or pod. If you are using a pod mod or vape pen, try using a syringe or a filler bottle to fill the tiny holes in these cartridges. Some starter kits come with filler bottles that make it easy to transfer e-liquid from large bottles.

2. Keep the coil clean.

All vape coils have to be replaced at some point. If you're using a pod mod or vape pen, you automatically change the coil when you replace the pod or cartridge. If you're using a tank or a box mod, you must change the coil regularly.

To clean your coil, remove it from the device and soak it in distilled water for 5-10 minutes. This will remove any built-up gunk or residue. A cotton swab may also be used to clean the inside of the coil housing. Be sure to dry the coil completely before reinstalling it.

3. Use thinner juice.

Juices high in the vegetable glycerin (VG) are great for creating clouds, but they can gunk up the works in a small device. Their thickness means you may wait long for the juice to wick properly in your coil or tank.

You should only use high-VG juices in a tank or sub-ohm setup. When you use a pod mod or vape pen, it's better to use thinner juices with higher levels of propylene glycol (PG). Many salt nicotine juices have a 50-50 blend for this reason.

4. Check your resistance levels.

If you're using a tank and coil combination, check the resistance. Different resistance levels produce different vape experiences. They also need different types of juice.

If you're using a high-resistance coil, you will produce less vapor, tighter airflow, and a stronger throat hit. This type of vaping works best with a thinner juice that's higher in PG content. If you're using a low-resistance, sub-ohm setup, you will produce more vapor and less of a throat hit. This type of vaping works best with a thick juice that's high in VG. A thin juice will overflow through the airholes or the mouthpiece.

5. Handle your device carefully.

A vape is a delicate electronic instrument. You may be used to carrying it around in your pocket or purse, but too much impact can damage it.

Avoid dropping it or hitting it against things. Don't leave it out in the sun. It's important not to overcharge it. When you're not using your vape device, store it in a cool, dry place.

6. Check the O-rings.

Most vape tanks have O-rings that seal the connection between the tank and the coil. These O-rings can become dry and brittle over time, causing leaking. Check to see if the O-rings are in good condition. If they're not, replace them.

To replace the O-rings:

  1. Unscrew your vape tank from the device and remove the coil.
  2. Look for the O-rings on the bottom of the tank where it connects to the coil.
  3. Remove the old O-rings and replace them with new ones.
  4. Once you've replaced the O-rings, screw the tank back onto the device and check for leaks.

7. Check the tank for cracks.

If you see any damage or cracks, replace the tank immediately. Tanks crack for several reasons. Some materials, like glass and plastic, are more prone to breaking than others. If you drop your device, it's possible the tank could crack. Tanks that are frequently exposed to extreme temperatures can also lead to cracking.

Replacing a tank is pretty straightforward. Remove the old tank from the device. Unscrew the coil from the device located at the bottom. Pour out any e-liquid remaining in the tank. Screw the new coil into the bottom of the new tank. Fill the new tank with e-liquid and screw it onto the device.

Be sure to prime your coil before use. This means saturating the wick with e-liquid before you start vaping. To prime, your coil, put a few drops of e-liquid onto the cotton wicks. This will help the coil last longer and produce a better flavor.

8. Make sure everything is tightly screwed in.

Check if all of your vape screws are correctly tightened. If they're not, the tank may not be sealed properly, causing leaking.

To tighten your screws, use a Phillips head screwdriver. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws. This may strip the threads and make it difficult to remove the screws in the future.

9. Check the airflow.

If the airflow holes are blocked, it can cause leaking. Clean out the airflow holes with a needle. Be careful in the process as you may accidentally damage the O-rings while you're doing this.

10. Try a different coil.

If you've tried all of these tips and your vape is still leaking, the problem may be with the coil. Try replacing the coil. If that doesn't work, the issue may be with the tank. In that case, you may need to replace the entire tank.

If your device is still leaking, take it to a vape shop or contact the manufacturer. These vape experts will help you troubleshoot or replace any damaged parts if necessary.

Avoid Leaks with Well-Made Vape Devices

No matter how careful you are, vape leaks can happen. That's why it's essential to buy a quality device from a reputable manufacturer. Cheap, knock-off devices are more likely to break and leak. When you buy a well-made vape device, you're less likely to have problems. You should also buy from a company with good customer service. That way, if you do have a problem, you can get help quickly.

Buying a high-quality, well-made product can get smooth, reliable vaping. Suorin is committed to creating the most convenient mini vaporizer. These devices have leak-free construction and safety features that prevent overheating. They are exported to more than 90 countries and Suorin quickly became one of the most popular e-cigarette brands worldwide.

Our main product is an all-in-one e-cigarette including Suorin Air Pro, Suorin Drop 2, and so on. If you are looking for a vape brand that offers a high-quality vape kit that provides a unique vaping experience, then Suorin is a must. We are also celebrating the Sale of 5,000,000 Suorin Air Pro recently, you can join us to win Up to $10000 Prize! Suorin Air Pro Celebration!