First Shot Drop Off

[JRingold]

OK, I've searched, but maybe I don't know the right terms.

With an X-Valve in an E-Mag, I'm getting first shot drop off. I don't hear anything leaking, but since the first shot is VERY low in velocity, I know there has to be a leak somewhere.

It's an X-Valve with the Level 10. The level 10 is tuned, it shoots fine, except for the first shot. There's no audible leak. I'm down to usng the smallest carrier as the next larger started to leak audibly after breaking it in. Everything is lubed fine as well, with KC Trouble Free.

Thoughts? I'm looking for suggestions.

[SR_matt]

hmm i was going to say gass it up and put it in a tank of water... then i remember u said E-mag

soap and water trick maybe?

you might as well drop some mreo oil in and that might help out a bit.

-matt

[flyingpootang]

Use the loosest carrier that will not leak while using the same carrier o-ring. Having a carrier to tigh will cause FSDO...

[BigEvil]

Use the loosest carrier that will not leak while using the same carrier o-ring. Having a carrier to tigh will cause FSDO...

yes, take the valve out and see if the bolt is super tight on the powertube. Autolube is your friend, use it liberally.

[JRingold]

Use the loosest carrier that will not leak while using the same carrier o-ring. Having a carrier to tigh will cause FSDO...

That could be it... It started leaking a few weeks ago, so I moved down a carrier. Maybe I should have lubed instead of changing carriers.

[A-Tach-One]

Valve always functioned fine with that original carrier in it until a few weeks ago? If so, I would put that carrier back in and just replace the carrier oring. It probably finally wore out.
Oh and yes lube.

[flyingpootang]

Valve always functioned fine with that original carrier in it until a few weeks ago? If so, I would put that carrier back in and just replace the carrier oring. It probably finally wore out.
Oh and yes lube.

The man knows his stuff. Just remember the o-rings very from each other due to manufaturing and or different vendors. Rule of thumb if starting with a new o-ring is use the loose fitting carrier that will not leak, then after 700-1000 rounds the o-ring breaks in and it may leak. You then use the next tightest fitting carrier while using the same broken in o-ring...

[JRingold]

So, how often would you anticipate needing to change the O-Ring and re-tune the Level 10? About 10,000 shots? Once a year?

[SR_matt]

when it wears out (not trying to be a smart a** but if it aint broke dont fix it). i.e. if it leaks or breaks
-matt

[flyingpootang]

Once broken in it will last for a long long long time as long as you drop 3-5 drops of oil into the reg before everyday of play....

[athomas]

So, how often would you anticipate needing to change the O-Ring and re-tune the Level 10? About 10,000 shots? Once a year?

I get about 100000 shots or more with mine.

Try removing a shim or two to see if it has an effect on the leaking before you change the carrier. If the vent hole is too close to the carrier oring the leak can be stopped by using a tighter carrier, but it will have additional bolt stick due to the carrier oring being too tight for smooth bolt movement. Sometimes bolt stick can manifest itself and appear like FSDO. Once the bolt gets moving, it does so freely and will work until the next period of inactivity.

Always remove the shims if your level 10 tuning results in abnormal operation of the mag. That way, you know you are only dealing with the carrier and oring during the tuning operation.

[A-Tach-One]

I feel it depends on what carrier your opperating at or how close to peak performance your level X is. I found you will change an oring more often with lets say a 2.0 carrier then the 1.0 just because your on the edge of peak performance. But for the most part the oring lasts for a long time. Others may have experienced something different though.

[athomas]

Find the equivalent size in a buna oring and it will work with a tighter carrier without much degradation in operation due to the oring being softer. You will need to replace it more often, but who cares. They are cheap and tuning is less of an issue.

[A-Tach-One]

Find the equivalent size in a buna oring and it will work with a tighter carrier without much degradation in operation due to the oring being softer. You will need to replace it more often, but who cares. They are cheap and tuning is less of an issue.

I like that!

[JRingold]

OK, it was the o-ring as the problem. THANKS GUYS!

I was down to using the smallest carrier, as even with the .5 (one dot, no lines) carrier it would leak. So I changed out the o-ring and now I'm up to using a 3 (3 lines) carrier with three shims and no leaks.