VacMaster VP112S - Trouble pulling vacuum

[TripleB]

I bought a VP112 a little more than a month ago and am having trouble pulling a vacuum on the system. It seems that it just won't seal. It started off fine, but gradually got worse. It would seal 1 out of 2 times, then 1 out of 3, 1 of 5, etc. My last time I tried 8 times with different bags, putting pressure on top of the lid to try and secure a good seal, etc.

I called the tech help line and they have recommended that I: 1) apply pressure to the lid (which I have done) and 2) remove the gasket and see if there is any tape underneath and if there is, remove that. It sounded from the tech help that #2 is the last tip. I got the "good luck" speech.

Anybody else have any recommendations, experience, tricks, etc.

Much appreciated.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Here is a link to the warranty.

Here is a link to the manual.

Check your seal time, manual says if set at 0 it will not seal.

[TripleB]

Yep, got all that. Thanks.

[EdF]

Did it vacuum, but just not seal, or was it having problems pulling the vacuum? I had a problem with the latter that eventually turned out to be the cover springing a leak. But it could be a gasket fit problem, or the hinges could be wobbly. If it's only sealing that is an issue, I'd take out the seal bar and see if there's anything under it, then reseat it.

[EdF]

It was age. Double-check the gasket thing. Make sure the foam is running flush with the edge (depth-wise). Try wiggling the top around when you start vacuuming. Take a close look at the corners of the top for anything that might be compromised.

[TripleB]

Thanks Ed. I'll give that a try.

[EdF]

Good luck!