Air Leaking Refresher

[Aslan]

Okay, I used to know this...but I've been away from the game for a couple years.

When I fired off some rounds through my Minimag (Retro Valve, Level X), I heard a slight leak coming through the barrel.

I seem to remember:
1) You need to pull and hold the trigger to see if the leak stops or not and that would indicate something.
2) It's probably a level X tuning issue that can be stopped by either using the next higher or lower "inserts".

Can anybody give me a quick synopsis to refresh my memory again? Thanks.

[badpennny]

1) Holding the trigger down and listening for leaks is to determine whether or not it is a problem in the on/off or the powertube. If the leak stops when the trigger is held down, the on/off is not the issue.

2) Since you have the level X bolt, try replacing the carrier o-ring or going to the next smaller-sized carrier that does not leak.

The troubleshooting video is on Youtube and shows TK demonstrating the above principles.

[Jacobd]

^What he said, if you hold down the trigger and it still leaks you have a leak in your on-off top, and yeah try a new carrier (insert) oring or going down a carrier size.

[Aslan]

thanks

I'm out of air right now for testing, but when I get some filled up I'll do a little "figiting" with it to see if it's an on/off issue or a carrier issue. If it's the carrier (probably), I'll go to the next smaller (less grooves) carrier.

Now, this marker has set since summer 2007. I've put about 200-250 shots through it over the weekend testing the warp and such...could it be that I need to do some more firing to get everything seated properly?

[athomas]

When testing your level 10, remove all shims from it first. That way you eliminate them as a possible source of leaks. They don't affect level 10 operation. When testing the level 10, always use the largest carrier that doesn't leak. Use the same white carrier oring when changing carrier sizes. The carriers adjust tension on the oring, so it is important that you are always using the same one.

[tmoneyblingbling]

^What he said, if you hold down the trigger and it still leaks you have a leak in your on-off top, and yeah try a new carrier (insert) oring or going down a carrier size.

I'm having this probem when I hold down the trigger, it leaks in spurts, like r/t spurting, the bolt moves forward a tiny bit then retracts. I've tried replacing the entire on/off assembly with same result. I think it might be a problem with adjusting the trigger rod length going from benchmark double trigger and frame to AGD oem single trigger frame.

[Ando]

Change your little white teflon oring in your on/off. Should have a gap about the thickness of a credit card between your trigger to your sear arm.

[211]

Oil
especially if its been sitting for a while

[athomas]

If it spurts air when you hold the trigger, then the leak is definately one of the two orings above the on-off top.

There is a slight chance that it is the small urethane oring behind the regulator seat holder in the regulator section of the valve.

[tmoneyblingbling]

Change your little white teflon oring in your on/off.

W00t! I win special person of the day award for overlooking this. Being it would be the fastest and easiest first step of troubleshooting..With my glasses 'on' I could see a small nick on the inside of the very top little white o-ring. Replaced it, added some oil and viola! Instant O.G. gratification. Thanks all.

[Ando]

Tom covers every little problem in his video, even the one you were having. It would behoove you to see them a few times.
http://automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=248134

[tmoneyblingbling]

Tom covers every little problem in his video, even the one you were having. It would behoove you to see them a few times.
http://automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=248134

Agreed. Watched them many time over. Although I've been into classic mags now for years, this was a matter of physical handicap. Getting old sucks.

[Aslan]

What if...

What if you're using the smallest carrier and you still have a slight leak? Smallest carrier, 2 shims, oiled the heck out of it....

On the plus side, the Minimag is firing great. I'm probably getting 8bps without even trying.

On the minus side, I'd like to get this leak nailed down. And I'm a little worried that now that I've moved my warp to the back (Luke's rear mount bracket) that the balls are going to get hung up in the slightly longer hose. For some reason, the warp works great with the original, old style hose...but I've had problems with the balls getting stuck in the slightly longer new style hose.

[secretweaponevan]

What if you're using the smallest carrier and you still have a slight leak? Smallest carrier, 2 shims, oiled the heck out of it....

On the plus side, the Minimag is firing great. I'm probably getting 8bps without even trying.

On the minus side, I'd like to get this leak nailed down. And I'm a little worried that now that I've moved my warp to the back (Luke's rear mount bracket) that the balls are going to get hung up in the slightly longer hose. For some reason, the warp works great with the original, old style hose...but I've had problems with the balls getting stuck in the slightly longer new style hose.

Do what athomas told you. Always do what he tells you.
Remove all shims.
You only need them if your bolt fails to reset after a jam.
If you still have a leak after removing the shims and you are still using the smallest carrier, your leak is in your carrier o-ring. It is time to break in a new one.

[athomas]

What secretweaponevan says is true, especially this part

Do what athomas told you. Always do what he tells you.
Remove all shims.

When you are tuning your level 10, always remove the shims. Sometimes they can cause the carrier oirng to be too close to the vent hole. The result is usually a leak that you can't get rid of. You end up using a carrier that is too tight and it causes other bolt stick issues.

If removing the shims don't fix the leak and you have gone to the smallest carrier, then you need to install a new white carrier oring and retune. There is probably a piece of dirt or a defect in the oring that is causing the leak. It doesn't take much because the level 10 oring is so lightly fitted to the bolt stem that it requires a perfect seal. Any imperfection that wouldn't be a problem in any other oring will be a problem here.