Here’s my troubleshooting instructions:
If you remove the bladder from the sheath notice how it is folded so you can get it back in with the same orientation. Slide the sheath up to pump and valve so the bladder is exposed only. This will keep the sheath dry.
Put enough water in a sink or bowel to dunk the bladder into.
Submerge just the bladder and work out any bubbles trapped in the material if you dunk the unit without taking the bladder out of the sheath.
Pump once or twice but don’t pump hard as the bladder can burst.
If you see a steady stream of bubbles then that is where the leak is.
If there is no leak then the problem is in the valve assembly itself.
If the leak is around where the hose attaches, you won’t have much luck fixing that location.
If the leak is anywhere else around the edges then do the following.
If you have a bladder leak sometimes it can be repaired with a hot cloths iron.
Just touch the spot where the leak is and seal it off.
Don’t stay on it too long or you could melt the bladder.
Re-installation: (If you have cut the hose)
Fold the bladder so the felt pad is on the inside. Then fold again and start the bladder into the sheath.
When half way in, push the hose in and use a small blunt object like a crochet needle or anything to fish for the hose end through the sheath exit hole.
Goto *
(If you have not cut the hose.)
Fold the bladder so the felt pad is on the inside. Then fold again and start the bladder into the sheath.
* Pull the hose through and bladder until it fits back inside then work the second fold out of the bladder so it is only folded once. It should lay flat. Any folds other then the full half fold will cause future leaks. Pump and release to see if everything lays flat again.
Unit should be ready for use.