Finding leaks on an inflatable dinghy - how?

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peter2407

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I have a fairly old zodiac inflatable dinghy with two cylinders - port is a single tube and starboard covers the starboard as well as the bow. Thinking the deflation was caused by faulty valves, I have replaced them with new. The new stbd valve is still hissing, so I wonder if it is the valve seating and if so is there something like PTFE tape to firm it up. The port tube is still leaking, but not as far as I can see/hear from the valve. What would you do to track this down?
 
Pump it up and then go round it "painting" it with soapy water (washing up liquid) with a paint brush. All but the smallest leak will be readily apparent as it will blow bubbles.
 
Yep, we used to call it 'snoop' in the diving game for checking 02 valves and diving gear for leaks. A bit of washing up liquid and water in a squirty bottle.

It's good for checking gas fittings on the boat too.
 
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In addition to the good advice above, how about filling it full of water, at least you will be able to narrow down the fault.
(no, not pump it full of water, pump it full of air and make a paddling pool for the kids with it)
 
I was unable to find a very slow leak on my Zodiac by the conventional method of using washing-up liquid on the outside so I put a litre (diluted of course) inside & then inflated and slowly rotated the dinghy - the small bubbles duly appeared.
 
colvic987 said:
put your ear to the tubes, and you should here it hissing, we found one this weekend on our zodiac, just need to get some red hypalon repair kit.
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I found the leak in our old QAXXON inflatable this way. I inflated it until it was hard and left it in the garage. Came back at midnight when there was less background noise and was able to hear the leak quite clearly.

Unfortunately it was failure in a seam. The glue was failing so condemned the lot.
 
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