Air leak

[Kevingston]

I have a relatively new 13ci tank that's leaking air from the fill valve. Is it safe to replace just the valve? Or should I replace the whole regulator or just get a whole new tank?

I asked an employee at a paintball shop and he says that they no longer replace regulators there because of the inherent danger to doing so.

 

[BigTinBoat]

Just degas, remove fill nipple and clean. Rewrap threads with teflon tape and reinstall. Easy Pezy.

Danger in replacing regulator? I think I'd find a new shop.

 

[Kevingston]

Just degas, remove fill nipple and clean. Rewrap threads with teflon tape and reinstall. Easy Pezy.

Danger in replacing regulator? I think I'd find a new shop.

Thanks, yeah it didn't sound right which is why I'm seeking a second opinion.

The leak is coming from the mesh-looking part of the valve, not the threads though. When I put a rubber cap on the valve, the cap just blows right off.

 

[John from MD]

Just degas, remove fill nipple and clean. Rewrap threads with teflon tape and reinstall. Easy Pezy.

Danger in replacing regulator? I think I'd find a new shop.

I agree. Use yellow teflon as it is made for gas and not fluids. Home depot carries it.

 

[KingClown]

I have a relatively new 13ci tank that's leaking air from the fill valve. Is it safe to replace just the valve? Or should I replace the whole regulator or just get a whole new tank?

I asked an employee at a paintball shop and he says that they no longer replace regulators there because of the inherent danger to doing so.

They screw in and out. Just get a new reg add teflon tape install and leak test. Sounds like the internal ball is worn out. No safety issue unless the threads are damaged or you use a regulator that has a lower pressure rating then what you will be filling it to.

 

[BigTinBoat]

They screw in and out. Just get a new reg add teflon tape install and leak test. Sounds like the internal ball is worn out. No safety issue unless the threads are damaged or you use a regulator that has a lower pressure rating then what you will be filling it to.

Actually the reg itself seals with an o-ring. The threads are straight, not tapered and do no provide any sealing. But why would he want to replace a $69 reg if he can just repair the fill nipple?

 

[BigTinBoat]

Thanks, yeah it didn't sound right which is why I'm seeking a second opinion.

The leak is coming from the mesh-looking part of the valve, not the threads though. When I put a rubber cap on the valve, the cap just blows right off.

Yep the "pin" is not sealing. Could be just a piece of dirt in there, or the o-ring could need replacement.

 

[John from MD]

Yep the "pin" is not sealing. Could be just a piece of dirt in there, or the o-ring could need replacement.

Most pins can be unscrewed and cleaned. They supply new extra O rings with many of the fittings but I have never had to do more than disassemble and clean.

 

[Kevingston]

Yep the "pin" is not sealing. Could be just a piece of dirt in there, or the o-ring could need replacement.

You are correct about the o ring on my particular regulator. The valve also seals with an o ring. Ironically, the pin inside the valve also uses an o ring.

Today I unscrewed the valve from the regulator, pulled the pin out of the back and cleaned it with isopropyl alcohol. I let it dry, put it all back together and put some air in it and it still leaked from the same spot(identified in the picture)

So in looking for a new valve if possible, if not, then a whole new regulator

 

[John from MD]

You are correct about the o ring on my particular regulator. The valve also seals with an o ring. Ironically, the pin inside the valve also uses an o ring.

Today I unscrewed the valve from the regulator, pulled the pin out of the back and cleaned it with isopropyl alcohol. I let it dry, put it all back together and put some air in it and it still leaked from the same spot(identified in the picture)

So in looking for a new valve if possible, if not, then a whole new regulator

Those fittings are readily available from Pyramid Air or even on Ebay. If you go the Ebay route, make sure it is American made.

 

[BigTinBoat]

You are correct about the o ring on my particular regulator. The valve also seals with an o ring. Ironically, the pin inside the valve also uses an o ring.

Today I unscrewed the valve from the regulator, pulled the pin out of the back and cleaned it with isopropyl alcohol. I let it dry, put it all back together and put some air in it and it still leaked from the same spot(identified in the picture)

So in looking for a new valve if possible, if not, then a whole new regulator

Did you replace the o-ring under the pin?
If it's a Ninja reg it should be a -006 size. I think they are either poly or teflon, but a BunaN will work for a little while. Use a bit of silicone grease or oil when you assemble.

Of course if you just want to spend more you can replace the nipple for $12

Amazon product ASIN B00CSBDGIM
or the whole regulator for $60

Amazon product ASIN B003FVULKU

 

[Kevingston]

Sounds good, I'll start looking. Thanks

Those fittings are readily available from Pyramid Air or even on Ebay. If you go the Ebay route, make sure it is American made.

I'm working with a Sig MCX Virtus. Tank says Sig, regulator is unlabeled, but I read somewhere that Ninja makes the regs for Sig.

Did you replace the o-ring under the pin?
If it's a Ninja reg it should be a -006 size. I think they are either poly or teflon, but a BunaN will work for a little while. Use a bit of silicone grease or oil when you assemble.

Of course if you just want to spend more you can replace the nipple for $12

Amazon product ASIN B00CSBDGIM
or the whole regulator for $60

Amazon product ASIN B003FVULKU

Here's what I have...

 

[Kevingston]

And this...

 

[John from MD]

Here is an ad for two fittings for $13.

2Pcs Stainless Steel Paintball One Way Valve CO2 Foster HPA/N2 Fill Nipple 1/8'' | eBay

Fill Nipple: 3mm/ 0.12" (1/8"). 2 x One Way Valve. Material: Stainless Steel. Color: Silver. Size: 11mm x 27mm/ 0.4"x1".

www.ebay.com

 

[BigTinBoat]

Definitely not a Ninja reg. I've never seen a tapered seat on the fill nipple valve like that before. Just looks like a recipe for leakage. The entire surface of the o-ring is not supported, and I would guess gets much more wear on each open/close cycle. Also not sure why there is an o-ring on those tapered threads.

I'd just get a new fill nipple. The one John linked seems the cheapest.

 

[MaxVO2]

Here is an ad for two fittings for $13.

2Pcs Stainless Steel Paintball One Way Valve CO2 Foster HPA/N2 Fill Nipple 1/8'' | eBay

Fill Nipple: 3mm/ 0.12" (1/8"). 2 x One Way Valve. Material: Stainless Steel. Color: Silver. Size: 11mm x 27mm/ 0.4"x1".

www.ebay.com

*****The above will work well. Pyramid Air also has tons of these kinds of small parts as well, and they have been in that business for a long time.

 

[Kevingston]

Great, thanks for all the info. Does it matter that the link you sent says it's for co2? Or is it the same thing as pcp valve?

Here is an ad for two fittings for $13.

2Pcs Stainless Steel Paintball One Way Valve CO2 Foster HPA/N2 Fill Nipple 1/8'' | eBay

Fill Nipple: 3mm/ 0.12" (1/8"). 2 x One Way Valve. Material: Stainless Steel. Color: Silver. Size: 11mm x 27mm/ 0.4"x1".

www.ebay.com

Definitely not a Ninja reg. I've never seen a tapered seat on the fill nipple valve like that before. Just looks like a recipe for leakage. The entire surface of the o-ring is not supported, and I would guess gets much more wear on each open/close cycle. Also not sure why there is an o-ring on those tapered threads.

I'd just get a new fill nipple. The one John linked seems the cheapest.

*****The above will work well. Pyramid Air also has tons of these kinds of small parts as well, and they have been in that business for a long time.

 

[BigTinBoat]

Great, thanks for all the info. Does it matter that the link you sent says it's for co2? Or is it the same thing as pcp valve?

Doesn't matter. Notice the HPA? That stands for High Pressure Air