Why Is My Vape Pod Leaking? Causes & Fixes Explained
Pod vape kits are the most popular way people choose to vape in the UK. These handy little kits pack advanced tech into practically sized convenient packages, and deliver some of the best vaping experiences you can buy.
As with any vape hardware, however, vapers do occasionally experience issues along their journey, with the most common reported by our customers being leaking vape pods.
In this blog we will explore the most common causes for a leaky vape pod, and provide the best fixes to resolve the problem and get you back to vaping properly again.
What Is A Vape Pod?
A vape pod works in almost exactly the same way as a traditional vape tank, with the exception of fewer moving parts. You still fill them up with e-liquid, and they feature a coil that heats up with the power from the device battery to create the vapour we inhale.
Where vape tanks can often be disassembled, vape pods are typically a single unit, including the e-liquid chamber, a built-in coil and mouthpiece.
Some vape pods have removable coils similar to tanks, but these are few and far between. Fans of pod vape kits prefer convenience and the mess/fuss-free approach to vaping pods offer.
Over time, the coils inside vape pods begin to degrade, which can lead to performance issues, the most common of which is leaking. an old coil is not the only thing that can cause a vape pod to leak, however, as we will explain below.
Why Your Vape Pod Leaks
Exploring the most common causes and fixes:
Your Vape Coil Needs Changing
Why Is It An Issue?
A vape coil that is at the end of its lifespan will have partially burned or swollen wicking material, and the coil wire often will not heat evenly or efficiently anymore.
This can lead to a range of problems, including:
- Leaking e-liquid
- Bad/muted flavour
- Gurgling sounds
- E-liquid spitting
How To Fix It:
Watch out for early warning signs that your coil is starting to fail, like loss of flavour or e-liquid colour changes so you can replace it before it starts to leak.
If your pod is already leaking and you suspect the coil is the cause, replace the coil if removable, or the entire pod.
Your Vape Pod Is Damaged
Why Is It An Issue?
A vape pod that is physically damaged may not hold e-liquid properly anymore.
It can seep out of cracks in the pod housing, or through gaps that can form between previously sealed sections of the pod, typically near the base.
This can allow e-liquid to seep into the airflow channels of your device, clogging them and impacting performance as well as making a mess.
How To Fix It:
Vape pods protrude from the end of vape kits which exposes them to wear and tear. Store them carefully when not in use and take care when out and about not to drop or knock the pod too often - they are tough but not indestructible.
Some vape kits have cases or lanyards to make carrying them safer and negate the risk of dropping them.
You're Using The Wrong E-Liquid
Why Is It An Issue?
Using the wrong type of e-liquid for your device's coil/pod can cause all sorts of issues, including coil burnout and flooding, almost all of which will lead to leaking.
Vape coils designed for 50/50 vape juice have smaller wicking ports and cannot absorb thick, high-VG e-liquid properly. This leads to the wick having dry spots, which burn when the device is fired up. Burnt cotton can't hold e-liquid and so allows it to leak.
Vape coils designed for high-VG e-liquid have large wicking ports, which means thinner 50/50 e-liquid can flood the coil, over-absorbing into the wick. This ultimately leads to e-liquid leaking into the airflow channels of your device.
How To Fix It:
If you are using 50/50 freebase e-liquid, only ever use coils/pods described as being for MTL or 50/50 vaping. They should be rated at 0.8ohm to 1.8ohm. They will have visibly smaller wicking ports.
If you are using 50/50 nic salt e-liquid, only ever use coils/pods described as being for MTL, RDTL or 50/50 vaping. They should be rated at 0.4ohm to 0.8ohm. They will have visibly smaller wicking ports.
If you are using high-VG e-liquid, only ever use coils described as being for DTL, HVG, Sub-Ohm, 70/30, 80/20 or HVG vaping. They should be rated at 0.12ohm to 0.6ohm. They will have visibly larger wicking ports.
Your Device Power Settings Are Too High/Low
Why Is It An Issue?
Ensuring your vape kit's power output (wattage) is set correctly according to the limits of your chosen vape pod/coil is vital for proper performance.
Setting the power too low means the e-liquid absorbed into the coil won't vaporise properly, which can lead to coil flooding and leaks over time. The extra inhaling force needed to compensate for the low-power vapour production also causes leaks as you essentially pull unevaporated e-liquid into the airflow channels.
Setting the power too high can burn out your coil because the extreme heat vaporises the e-liquid too quickly. The coil cannot wick up more e-liquid fast enough to match the rate of evaporation. Burnt wicking material cannot hold e-liquid properly, causing it to leak.
How To Fix It:
Most vape kits automatically adjust the wattage output according to the resistance (ohms) of your chosen pod/coil, which should negate the issue.
If you have a device with manually adjustable power, take care to ensure you keep it within the safe range for your chosen pod/coil. The vast majority of pods/coils will have the safe range printed on the coil housing or on their packaging.
If in doubt, contact our UK-based customer service team - they can provide guidance so you can vape with confidence.
Do Your Research To Avoid Leaking Pods
The best way to avoid a leaking vape pod is to do your research before starting to vape:
- Learn the early warning signs that your coil is getting to the end of its life so you can replace before it fails and starts leaking.
- Regularly check your pod for signs of physical damage and do your best to protect it when not in use.
- Learn the best coil/pod options for your preferred e-liquid type to avoid making a bad pairing.
- Understand the best power level for your chosen pod/coil to avoid burning it out or flooding it.
By following these steps, not only will you have a better chance of avoiding/fixing a leaking pod, but you will also gain knowledge that will serve you well on your vaping journey. A little extra know-how can help you fine-tune your vape setup and deliver a more satisfying vaping experience, as well as deal with issues along the way.
Don't forget to stock up on e-liquids, coils and pods for your chosen device by exploring the collections below!
