Fox Float – air leak

Evening.

Hopefully somebody far more knowledgeable than myself can help me with diagnosing and offering a solution for an air-leak from my Fox Float R 140mm forks.

I noticed the day after a ride that my forks had lost all pressure and there was fluid around the air-cap on the left upper tube.
I inflated the forks back to my usual 70 PSI but it immediately began losing pressure with the sound of air hissing out accompanied by some pockets of bubbles forming where the air cap meets the steerer assembly.

I’m hoping that it is something as simple as the upper air-seal has pinched and failed or perhaps the air-cap is slightly loose which is weeping air & fluid under pressure.

Has anybody else experienced this issue or would you agree that the seal/cap is likely to be at fault? Or something more concerning! 😐

As soon as I get the nod from you guys I’ll order a 26mm socket, seal and float fluid pillow.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

A quick update… I’ve ordered a socket, seal and fluid as I’m hanging my hopes on the upper air-seal being at fault.

It would be great to hear from anybody else who can offer their thoughts, although it seems to be a rare issue…

Top cap air seal is most likely cause.

Thank you very much for your reply LoCo, I have now ordered a few bits & bobs, fingers crossed it is as expected.

A quick update to tie this off – it was indeed simply the top car air seal.

I guess having never needed to open the forks myself I was unsure what to expect, but the air chamber is rather simple!

A quick guide…
*Drop any pressure remaining.
*Remove the air-cap using a 26mm hex socket without the taper.
*Replace the seal – if present… (not impressed with the recent ‘professional’ service)
*Replace the fluid with a 5cc float pillow.
*Put it all back together & add your pressure.
*Give it a good thrashing!