Taking apart my ReTro valve for 1st time, need help guys...

[ScoobYSnax]

Now, before I actually do this, I have to know something. Can I cause damage to the valve/regulator by opening everything up? And the reason I'm going to take it apart is because I want better consistency. I am getting like +/-7 or 8 right now. Will taking it apart and making sure everything is in good shape fix this velocity fluctuation? Or will I be taking it all apart for nothing?

Assuming I cannot harm anything and replacing some things will help my velocity consistency, lets get on with the internals. What sort of things should I look out for? When will I know what needs to be replaced? Coloring? Thickness? Flexibility? For example, my bumper right now is yellow-ish in color, does that mean it needs to be replaced?

When taking apart the valve, can I follow the old maintenance video? Or is that too outdated? What changes are different now? What tools should I have handy when taking it apart? Should I oil everything? Only somethings?

Sorry for all the questions, I just don't wanna screw anything up...

[FordPrefect]

If you are worried about velocity, just change the reg seat. The rest of it, I don't know(as I don't have a ReTro Valve ).

[BlackVCG]

To start off, degas the gun and remove the valve. Next, unscrew the black half of the valve and set it aside.

Now what you want to do is gently lift up on the brass piece with four cross hatch cuts in it. There will be an o-ring stuck in the top of this piece or it will be stuck in the center of the black half. Clean that o-ring with a soft rag and set it aside. With the brass piece off, wipe down it down, especially the back side to remove any dirt that as accumulated on it. There will be an o-ring in the silver part of the valve under where the brass piece was. Pull that o-ring out and replace it if it is discolored or really dirty. That's the reg. seat o-ring and it will directly affect your velocity consistency.

Now, with your fingers lift up on the stem, which is the reg. valve pin. It is usually stuck in the valve and will require you to wiggle it a bit and pull hard to get it out. Now, clean off the o-rings on the end of the stem. There will be a plastic spacer inbetween the two o-rings. Yes, it is suppose to have a slit in it. Clean off the stainless part of the stem that contacts the reg. valve pin. Oil the o-rings and put it back in the valve. Oil the reg. seat and put that back in. Then, place the brass piece back on top of that o-ring with the four cross hatch cuts facing out towards you. Oil and put that small o-ring into the brass piece.

Now, unscrew the velocity adjuster all the way and out will come two large coil springs. Set those aside, they should be covered in grease. No need to put more grease on them. Take a toothpick and press it through the hole in the front of the reg. body and that will press the piston out. Wipe down the piston making sure to clean the o-ring. Take a cotton swab and clean off the surface that the piston o-ring sits on. Oil the piston, put it back in, drop the springs in and thread on the velocity adjuster. There's a notch in the velocity adjuster right before the o-ring. Tighten it just to the point that you don't see that notch. That should be enough to get it to fire and then you can chrono it later.

Now that we have the back half of the valve done, now it's time to take apart the on/off assembly. You can pull it out with your fingers. There will be an o-ring that comes out stuck on the top of the on/off pin or it will be in the bottom of the on/off hole. You can pry that o-ring out with a toothpick or dental pick. Clean it off, inspect it and then replace it or oil it and put it back in. Now, take two cresent wrenches and clamp one on the on/off top and one on the on/off bottom. Just a little bit of force and you can unscrew the top piece from the bottom piece. Inside the top piece will be a really small o-ring. That o-ring likes to collect dirt, so take it out and clean it and oil it. Now screw the top back onto the bottom piece and gently tighten the two with the wrenches. Wipe down the on/off pin and put a bit of oil on it. Place it back in through the top of the on/off assembly and then press the assembly back into the hole.

Last thing to clean is the PT o-ring. This o-ring collects a lot of dirt too and takes a lot of abuse. Unscrew the PT tip with a nickel and set it aside. Drop out the spacer by shaking the valve upside down. Pull out the PT o-ring and clean it off or replace it if it looks like it's in bad condition. An o-ring in bad condition is usually really dark in color and stiff or cracked. Oil that o-ring, oil the o-ring on the PT tip and put it all back together. PT o-ring first, spacer second and PT tip last.

A few things to do after you get it all back together. Put it in the gun and gas it up. If you don't hear the gun click or the gun doesn't shoot, Tighten the velocity adjuster until you hear the click. Then chrono in the gun and it should be shooting fine. Make sure to put some oil in your ASA and then gas up the gun and cycle it with the barrel off to circulate oil through the valve. Do NOT use metal objects such as screwdrivers or anything similar in your valve. The only thing metal that should come near the valve is a dental pick if you have one to remove o-rings. As long as you're careful, you won't cause any harm to the valve. There are no fragile parts you need to be real careful with. Just take your time and pay attention to what you're doing and assemble it properly and you'll be fine.
Good luck and let me know if this helps your consistency.

[SlipknotX556]

Look at how nice BlackVCG is. Tells step by step how to do it.

[obsolete898]

Damn Black, bored much.

[BlackVCG]

Originally posted by SlipknotX556
Look at how nice BlackVCG is. Tells step by step how to do it.

I try...

Originally posted by obsolete898
Damn Black, bored much.

And that took me about 10 min to type up. Knowing this stuff without even having to think about it and being a fairly fast typer helps a bit. I'm just trying to help you guys out with my knowledge. The day nobody appreciates the help I try to offer is the day I'll leave and stop bothering you guys by posting.

[obsolete898]

Hey I appreciate it, but it would take me a good while to type that.

[ScoobYSnax]

Black, you rule man! Today I'm gonna print that out, sit-down, and have a lil session with my mag. Thanks a ton, and I"ll let you know how everything works out!

[FactsOfLife]

printing this one....

thanks black that'll help a lot.

[alf]

i agree...

thanks a bunch, black!

-alf

[pip_999]

black

black black
he's our man
if he cant do it no one can

[Bonx0007]

Thanks Black!

[Mossman]

Originally posted by BlackVCG


The day nobody appreciates the help I try to offer is the day I'll leave and stop bothering you guys by posting.

NEVER!

[paintbattler]

FordPrefect- has anyone donated to you?

[legion]

Now if only i had known that before I took apart my retro and caused it to explode in a 10 megaton nuclear type explosion *sigh*

Thanks for the info Black!

Legion












PS: J/K about the nuclear explosion thing, but still, directions are always better than guessing!