How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

stacia123 · Post by **stacia123** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 2:30 am

My most recent Fisher & Paykel Flexifit 431 mask broke after just under a month. A part of the valve just popped off and wouldn't snap back on. The online company I bought it from would only send me a replacement elbow. Not only did it take forever to get, but when I got it there were no instructions on how to install this new elbow. I can't find anything online either.

Does anyone know how to replace this?

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 5:34 am

From the picture, it looks like the elbow on my Quattro. You just press on it and it snaps into place.

stacia123 · Post by **stacia123** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 5:52 am

How do I take the old one off without breaking anything? The part that broke was the very bottom of the elbow, the rest of the elbow is still attached to the mask and it doesn't appear to pop out easily.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 6:08 am

stacia123 wrote:How do I take the old one off without breaking anything? The part that broke was the very bottom of the elbow, the rest of the elbow is still attached to the mask and it doesn't appear to pop out easily.

You're right...it doesn't pop out easily. It's not supposed to. Just pull it straight out. It's already broken, you can't damage it more. If you still have problems, there must be a DME in your city that can help you.

stacia123 · Post by **stacia123** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 6:29 am

While the elbow is broken anyway, I might damage the mask itself. There is a double layer of plastic where the elbow goes in, and it looks like pulling the elbow out might crack the top layer which is used to hold the grey plastic hooks that the straps slide into.

The 2 DMEs in town are not likely to help with a mask I did not purchase directly from them.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:31 am

stacia123 wrote:While the elbow is broken anyway, I might damage the mask itself. There is a double layer of plastic where the elbow goes in, and it looks like pulling the elbow out might crack the top layer which is used to hold the grey plastic hooks that the straps slide into.

The 2 DMEs in town are not likely to help with a mask I did not purchase directly from them.

Why are you afraid to ask?

FeelingBetter · Post by **FeelingBetter** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:30 am

Our DMEs here are the same way, if you didn't but it from them, they aren't answering questions. Why can't the patient come first instead of who bought what where? The elbow on my FlexiFit squeaks all night when I move. It sounds like a wounded bird and makes the dog bark when he hears it. Anyway to lubricate these elbows?

Gabe · Post by **Gabe** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:35 am

I would take the elbow out and put a little vasoline aroound the rim and that should stop the squeak.

avi123 · Post by **avi123** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:42 am

stacia123 wrote:My most recent Fisher & Paykel Flexifit 431 mask broke after just under a month. A part of the valve just popped off and wouldn't snap back on. The online company I bought it from would only send me a replacement elbow. Not only did it take forever to get, but when I got it there were no instructions on how to install this new elbow. I can't find anything online either.

Does anyone know how to replace this?

Hi Stacia, I been using both #431 and #432 for almost a year. I take off the elbow by using some force to pull it straight out from the body of the mask. There is snap sound when both the elbow and the valve get seated. Same with the anti re breathing (anti asphyxia) valve. I carry both in spares. They are available at most DMEs.

I often sneeze while my mask is on. But I try to grab the solid base of the mask and lift it a fraction of an inch from my face. If I sneeze without lifting the mask the leaves inside the anti asphyxia valve get pushed thru the opening making the valve useless. At such times I replace the valve with one of my spares. Later, during daylight I try to fix those valves by pushing the plastic leaves with a pair of tweezers back to where they belong.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... 7AodDT0GEw

http://www.directhomemedical.com/pdf/fl ... -parts.pdf

Here is another problem that I found with F&P 431, 432, and Forma masks GLIDER: The hook on those gliders is made of thin plasic. When I tighten the headgear straps the hook on the glider gets bent. So I tie the head strap on the inner side of the glider's hook instead.

One thing that I have yet to find is how do I replace the glider on those masks? Do I pry off the thin clear plastic that holds the glider in place?

stacia123 · Post by **stacia123** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 3:50 pm

Avi123, thank you for your help!

The part that broke is the joint where those plastic leaves attach. The leaves fit in the proper groove snugly enough, but the solid plastic joint that keeps them in place broke for reasons unknown; I wasn't even touching it. I was standing nearby folding laundry, heard a snap and the part just fell off, it was the strangest thing.

How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

Re: How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

Re: How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

Re: How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

Re: How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

Re: How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

Re: How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

Re: How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

Re: How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask

Re: How to replace valve/elbow on Flexifit 431 FF mask