# Bite valve faulty **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [August 2, 2018, 3:35pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868 "2018-08-02T15:35:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![opalboy42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c89c15/32.png) [@opalboy42](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/opalboy42)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 3:35pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868/1 "2018-08-02T15:35:06Z")
Got my new castable wax cartridge, pulled off the protective strip of the bite valve, and it took the bite valve off with it. After a few dumb moves on my part!! I discovered the bite valve wasn’t cut all the way through! Replaced it with a different one and viola! it works. You might double check your valve to see that it is opening as it should. Dave ---
**Author:** ![FredB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@FredB](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/FredB)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868/2 "2018-08-02T15:44:07Z")
There is a risk of leaking if you use an old bite valve. This is a known issue that is becoming less frequent. I would start a help ticket with Formlabs. ---
**Author:** ![CraigBroady](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/craigbroady/32/6106_2.png) [@CraigBroady](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/CraigBroady)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868/3 "2018-08-02T19:58:12Z")
The material used for the bite valves is sometimes self healing. When this happens, I simply turn the cartridge upside down (with the cap closed, of course) and squeeze the bite valve repeatedly. After about ten seconds, it opens back up. ---
**Author:** ![rockrun](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/rockrun/32/13055_2.png) [@rockrun](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/rockrun)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 4:42pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868/4 "2018-10-10T16:42:21Z")
I’ve had 2 valves come uncut. I simply used my trusty old Case pocket knife to pierce the opening in line with the two little guides. Simple fix, no harm no foul. ---
**Author:** ![speterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@speterson](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/speterson)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868/5 "2018-10-23T13:25:52Z")
I had a number of bitevalves also come without being cut. I also cut them with no issue, but it makes me worried a bit to do so. Wish I could just stick a new one on there, but they are unavailable. ---
**Author:** ![jasony31](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jasony31](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/jasony31)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868/6 "2020-09-04T19:19:02Z")
I’ve had two bite valves arrive completely uncut. IMO this is pretty unacceptable, especially on a $350 (with shipping) Castable Wax cartridge. I just got another one today that is scored but not cut all the way through. I really don’t want to risk my $3500 printer by cutting it myself but we’re under a time crunch and I’ve already done the back-and-forth with Form after they sent the wrong item in the mail. I know they’re trying to do a good job and keep their quality high but having the same issue over and over is just really frustrating. ---
**Author:** ![alan1950](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@alan1950](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/alan1950)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868/7 "2020-09-23T20:44:00Z")
the BITE VALVE is the dumbest least tech item on the printing system… instead of using a flow metering device on the printer itself they chose to use a flexible short term valve on the cartridges. as far as FL is concerned live with it! ---
**Author:** ![angelinabrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ab992/32.png) [@angelinabrown](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/angelinabrown)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2020, 4:56pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868/8 "2020-11-19T16:56:25Z")
I too have the same issue ---
**Author:** ![alan1950](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@alan1950](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/alan1950)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/bite-valve-faulty/19868/9 "2020-11-21T16:11:57Z")
It’s still dumb on the FL3. this is a mechanical engineering nightmare that FL refuses to deal with. I have seen Kickstarter AUTO-Bars ( that mix drinks) with better metering systems.