NA6000 Housing and 7in dome failing vac

Vac is failing within 1 min. Changed both housing and dome oring and cleaned all surfaces, still failing, if not worse. Next step in assume is service center? How does one figure out where the leak is?!

Also, how do you take the acrylic out of the dome? Lots of sand jammed in there from a cave, suspect that's the problem.

About the sand in the dome seal, even though I do most of my own maintenance, with a dome port I would take it to a good service center.

Else the risk of damaging the dome is too great, plus reinstalling the O ring and dome is, I suspect, a real challenge. Service center is best for the dome.

About the leak, if it persists after you install a different port, first pump a good vacuum and immediately immerse the housing + port in water, remove after one or two minutes, dry the housing carefully, open it and the site of the leak should have water.

Good luck! Please keep us posted.

Thanks I was thinking to do this, maybe with a sponge inside. i guess service center it is. Ugh.

Have you confirmed the vacuum valve is not leaking - is it well screwed down, or for the new style valve did it pop back up again? - a 1 Min falling vacuum is pretty fast. I find it hard to imagine how sand could work its way into the sealing surface It'll certainly coat everything, but would need to get under the seal itself to allow a leak path to develop, almost requires it to leak first to cause a leak.

You could try closing it all up and submerging it to look for bubbles? If you do the water test do it in stages- submerge to the dome seal with it face down- look for water inside the port, then submerge to port o-ring level, then fully submerge. If you are careful you may be able to isolate where the leak is.

If you have access to another port - try that. If it still leaks try your port on another housing if you know someone who has one.

I would also exercise every control a few times to see if that makes any difference. One of the control o-rings might be hanging. That way you know which part to send for service.

One minute fail is significant leak if it is valid?

Has housing been dropped or impacted?

Suggest you don't be too quick to remove acrylic dome.

Borrow a different port for another test.

Try with a new vacuum battery.

Try packing housing, with out camera, with paper, pump down and quick fresh water dip.

Open and look for wet spot

Repeat till you find it.

On my housing if I had this issue I would take the hose of my vacc pump and pressurise the housing with it. Submerge the rig/operate all controls and find the bubbles.

Thanks for the advice all. After a few tests, I've got a broken shutter, but intermittent. Off to reef for service

Thanks for the advice all. After a few tests, I've got a broken shutter, but intermittent. Off to reef for service

Argh! Broken shutter though?? That wouldn't cause a leak?

Housing shutter lever. It's been damaged somehow, sitting slightly off kilter. If you move it more ie leaks audibly.

Woah!

Well fixable and you'll be back in the water