| Hello Fiona,
As mentioned above, if your high-profile dump valve is leaking, you can reduce the problem by keeping it closed. In my opinion this is a temporary solution because you must remember to open it to dump it when necessary. Forgetting it during ascent can cause buoyancy control issues. Usually it's not a problem, but a diver under any kind of stress might easily forget.
You can't just screw off the dump valve like on non-DUI suits. The threads are fixated with silicon sealant or something similar. DUI uses a special tool to unscrew the dump valves, trying to use your hands or the wrong tool can damage the valve.
You can however, disassemble the valve mechanism. First remove the top part of the valve (on the side of the valve there is a retaining thingy). It will come off along with the spring and a couple of other widgets.. On the inner side of the valve you snap off the cover to reveal three screws. Unscrew those and the whole valve mechanism comes out. Now you can clean it and re-assemble it. When reassembling the top part of the valve, there is a marker that you use to properly align the valve lid. If misaligned, the valve will not function properly (the range of movement of the screw will be limited and the suit will not auto-dump properly).
This doesn't always solve the problem. If it still leaks you should replace the valve. If you don't want to send your suit to DUI for valve replacement, you can purchase the Apeks high-profile auto dump valve and replace just the inner part of the DUI valve with it. The parts are interchangeable.
I hope this helps, best regards,
__________________ Hassan Adly Red Sea Discovery "Today I will finally see the sea again, which will smell of salt, wind, sand - and the cold of winter. Finally I will not only travel on it but dive in it, again I will become water, a bird - and I will remember the feeling of gliding above the abyss"
Elena Sundukova, tragically lost at sea, January 2007
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