Pump Problems

First off, I bought my pump with gauge and cylinder 2 months ago. I had a great session 2 days ago. Today I went to pump and my pump is broken and not holding pressure or going above -7.(which I never go above -5 but did it to see if it was broken) Very disappointing.

Check your release valve, maybe it’s stuck open?

Checked that. That seems fine. Needle sticking at times. Not happy with Leluv. I think I should have went with LA.

How do you know that the pump is broken? Bad connections are more likely the culprit.

I exclusively use Leluv cylinders. Nothing wrong with them.

By order of likelyhood, you check for leaks:

1) The seal at the base of the cylinder contacting the pubic skin. Dry skin and/or pubic hair under the flange are likely culprit.
2) Check that the female quick connect fitting is screwed tight into the cylinder. Finger tight plus 1/4 turn is sufficient. This comes loose often so check it often. While there check the rubber o ring between the fitting and the cylinder is seated properly. If a section of it protrudes it my need replacing. Most hardware or big box stores will have a selection of o rings with which you can find a replacement.
3) Check that the male quick connect fitting is fully seated in the female quick connect fitting. Press and hold the male fitting into the female while pumping as a test.
4) Check the release valve (plunger rod) on the vac pump. It can stick open.
5) Check the hose for crackks or loseness where the male fitting slips in and also where the hose slips onto the hand pump. The hose should be tight and unable to twist it. If lose, cut off 1/2” and re attach.
6) Least likely is that the pump diaphram is leaking. The only time I have seen this occur is after pumping fluid through the pump which can/will damage the diaphram. I was unable to drepair it and bought another vac pump.

The needle is sticking at time and doesn’t go above -7. Pump makes noise while squeezing. I don’t know if that’s normally. Like a springs busted. Ill have to go through the steps tomorrow 32. Thank you. Hopefully it works.

Is it a pistol style vac pump?

I’ll leave my story here, I bought a hydromax pump (or any other with the same system) it lasted 3 months, I paid dearly and it no longer holds the pressure. I had read here on the forum that this could happen, so here’s the tip, it really can happen. I lost money.

I have had that problem several times. It’s not just a LeLuv thing; the other QC fittings I bought from various eBay vendors have had the same problem. They connectors all look identical; they probably all come from the same production line.

The root of most of my problems was that I was using a water-based lube. Some would get into the fitting occasionally, and then it would dry out, giving the valve a a wedgie.

Now when I wash the tube I use a spare male fitting so I can flush soapy water through the valve.

My Harbor Freight brake bleeder pump has worked well for over ten years while being used 5 or 6 days a week. However, one of my cylinders (Boston Pump) tends to loose vacuum as long as the tube remains connected, but remains steady once the tube is disconnected - apparently it’s one of the connectors, probably the small rubber washer on the male connector.l

It should be a small O-ring. Most O-rings are in standard sizes. If you use a sharp awl or pin you can lever the ring out and take it to a hardware or auto parts store; they have boxes with assortments of rings in different diameters and thicknesses. If you strike out, you can buy a 10-pack off eBay for two or three dollars.

There are differences in the rubber type and the durometer (softness), but they don’t matter for this application.

I bought an electric pump from LeLuv a month or so back, and it became flaky. LeLuv’s customer support was very helpful and sent me a new pump. I was pleasantly surprised. You should try contacting them.

Thank you

Oring is the culprit. Thank you very much for the very detailed tips. I will be buying a new o-ring soon. Much appreciated