WHAT IS A SYSTEM "LEAK"?

When you pump, you remove air from the cylinder, lowering the inside pressure. This creates a differential in the inside/outside pressures, which wants to suck something into the cylinder to equalize the two pressures. Pumping takes advantage of this effect, using it to draw blood and fluid into the genitalia. As that happens, the enlargement of your body displaces some of the vacuum space, and the level of vacuum will drop in the process. This drop in vacuum level is normal, and is slow. It's not a leak!

Leaks are present when air is being drawn into the system by the vacuum when the system is closed. There are two catagories of leaks, the first being one created by problems sealing the cylinder to your body, and the second being a mechanical fault in the system itself. We will deal with both, but first you have to find the leak- and that is what this article will tell you how to do.

HOW TO LEAK-TEST YOUR PUMP SYSTEM

Leaks might seem hard to locate, but they aren't. Water and the right process is all you need. To start testing, you will need to fill your cylinder partially with water. Enter the cylinder, and create a vacuum with your pump. Now, follow these steps:

• Position yourself with the tube up and entry down, where water covers the body-cylinder seal area. If you have bubbles coming up at that time, you have a Seal Leak.
  
  
• Position yourself with the entry up, and the opposite end of the cylinder covered with water. If you have bubbles there, you need to determine where they originate at:
  
  (A) Bubbles from the outside edge of the hose fitting indicate a Thread Leak.
  (B) Bubbles from the center opening of the hose fitting indicates an Exterior Leak.
  (C) Bubbles from the joint between the cap and the tube indicate a Joint Leak.

SEAL LEAKS:

The seal area usually leaks because of a poor surface match between your body and the cylinder rim. If by chance you are using a cylinder whose shape and yours don't match at all, you may need a different cylinder. Generally, the problem is hair- and the solution is to shave. It also helps to use a lubricant such as PumpToys Glyde, which will help seal small areas around hair that can create airways.

If you are using a PumpToy's Precision Seal, you will have substantially fewer body-seal leak problems, and a greater tolerance of hair.

THREAD LEAKS:

Leaks around the vacuum connector fitting are usually easy to fix. The method depends on the way the fitting seals to the tube. Some seal with some type of thread sealant, which might be teflon tape or a liquid applied to the thread when it is installed. Others are sealed by an O-ring located just under the hexagonal part of the fitting, and this is usually visible from the outside as a black rubber line.

First, check to see if the fitting is loose. O-ring fittings need to be only moderately hand tightened; they will leak if either TOO TIGHT or TOO LOOSE. Fittings sealed with teflon or other thread sealants need to be tighter. Just remember you are dealing with plastics, not metal, so don't get carried away. Most cylinders can be sealed with an O-ring; so some taped thread type can be converted. O-rings that will fit are available at any hardware store, as is Teflon thread tape.

Occasionally when such an area leaks, it's best to remove the fitting and clean the threads on both sides, as well as the O-ring. Note that fittings sealed with tape or thread sealants MUST have the sealant replaced anytime the fitting is disturbed. When you have an O-ring sealed fitting off, examine the O-ring carefully for any cuts or distortion. If it's damaged, replace it.

EXTERIOR LEAKS:

This means the leak is outside the cylinder itself.