[MartinSE]

We have an older - purchased 6 year ago - 0102D Pro vitamix (also known as a model 5200 - I think) with the 64Oz carafe. This one sold new for around $560 or so (we bought this one refurbished for about $270).

This model was released in 2007 - so, it could be as much as 15 years old. About the life expectancy of a Vitamix blender.

We are pretty rough on blenders and before buying the Vitamix we normally got 1 year or less out of the typical "less expensive" blenders - Cuisinart, Kitchen Aide, etc.

We are very happy with getting 6 years out of a "used" blender.

Well, it still works pretty much perfectly. It struggle a little with nut butter now, and I make lots of nut butter. So, I got a Brevelle Food Processor for that. Now the Vitamix is relegated to smoothies, fruit juice, etc - softer, less stressful stuff. Works great on those.

Except, the carafe leaks around the wet blade assembly.

I am NOT a plumber, and I don't play one of the internet. I tried replacing the gasket/o-ring around the wet blade assembly and no joy. I tried adding an extra/additional o-ring on the other end of the wet blade assembly - no joy.

Vitamix says on their site that if replacing the o-ring doesn't fix the leak, you need to replace the carafe. The carafe is about $170.

I think I would rather get a new machine that spend that much on the carafe.

But, I thought I would see if any DIY'ers out there have any experience fixing a leaking carafe on the Vitamix.

As I said, I replaced the o-ring with a factory o-ring, and it still leaks (would silicone or grease help?). The leak is not pouring, it is just dripping slowly if filled with liquid (it's enough to leave a puddle on the counter after making a smoothie. I think the leak is coming where the flats are that stop the wet blade from turning in the base of the carafe (see photo below of wet blade and the flat). The flat matches/fits in a flat on the hole it fits into in the base of the carafe.

I also tried a layer of plumbers tape around the threaded part and the flat, and that mostly worked - a very slow leak then. So, I put two more layers of tape, that didn't work at all, it leaked worse that without any.

I am considering a silicone sealer like used for aquariums and "glue" the wet blade into the base of the carafe. But, that is "kind of" permanent.

So, I thought I would ask you smart people, if you have any suggestions on how to get this old carafe to stop leaking.

[retiredguy123]

It looks like you can replace the entire container (carafe) and blade assembly for about 40 dollars on Amazon:

Amazon.com