Erratic and Inconsistent FPS - Feedback request

[Duper]

OK, I'd like to run this by you experts. I'd appreciate any tips you have on how to fix this problem.

I have an A4, stock in just about every way; I got it (and my tank/reg) used.
Settings:
Dwell: 11
TR: 12
LPR: 75
Semi 1 or 2 depedning on my mood
WDP Tank, Air America Apocalypse Regulator. Output ~300psi (see my note below though)

Here's what happens. I'll crono it at roughly 280 although a few shoots would be a little hot (like 289) or a little weak (like 263).

I'll go play around / shoot a hopper or two through it and it would be in the 290s to 300+. I'd turn down the air pressure screw on the regulator and I'd get it back down to normal fps again. But the same thing would happen after several shots... it would crono sometimes very consistently at 275 or so for several shots then go all over the place again: down to 260, up to 290, etc...

Also, I noticed that when left for several hours, sometimes the low pressure guage on the regulator would creep up higher and higher (starting at ~300 and would keep increasing to ~1000 or higher). Sometimes it won't though no matter how long I leave it sit. AND the high pressure guage would show that I'm losing air very slowly (although I can't hear a leak or anything).

I've taken the front half of the regulator apart and checked it for physical signs of wear but everything looks fine. Nonetheless, I'm thinking its probably something in the regulator causing my fps problems, the leak, and the low pressure guage creep issue.

Thoughts? Recommendations? :puzzled:

Thanks!

[thog94]

I'd check my LPR to see if it was still good. I'd also check the Apoc reg to make sure that your problems aren't starting there.

[Duper]

I'd check my LPR to see if it was still good. I'd also check the Apoc reg to make sure that your problems aren't starting there.

Do you mean just taking it apart and inspecting it for wear on the seals and stuff? This is my first Angel, sorry if these are dumb a$$ questions. What am I looking for exactly once I've got it in a million pieces?

Based on your recommendation I'm going to strip down the LPR first and see if I see anything because in order to really inspect the Apoc reg I need to air-down and then I won't be able to test fire it for a while.

I've still got it in my head that my problem is w/ my apoc reg because of my air leak issue... The thing is losing air very slowly right now even though I've got the shut-off valve in the OFF position. :angry: If my tank is leaking very slowly somewhere I figure that could be causing my inconsistent fps issue.

I've got a high pressure tank sitting on my old marker... should I try the mini-reg mod?

[Feeling I know just barely enough to be dangerous to my marker... I do NOT want to break this gun after playing w/ it only once!]

Any other thoughts before I start taking my marker apart???

Thanks again.

[thog94]

The only way to test your LPR is with the tool kit. You would need to put the gauge on it, there is no need to disassemble anything except taking the end cap off. Once your gauge is attached you should air it up and shoot. Look and see what your LPR pressure is, also look to see if the needle snaps back or creeps back, and how low the pressure reads during rapid fire. If the needle snaps back with no creeping and the pressure doesn't dip below 40ish during rapid fire, then your LPR should be OK.

I honestly think that the LPR is fine and your problem lies within your air reg. However there is no harm in testing the LPR out.

[Duper]

Ah ha... I have the tool kit so I'll try that out.

Thanks for the quick and detailed response!

[Duper]

As an update I checked the LPR and sure enough, it was operating as it should.

So I emptied my tank and inspected every part of the reg I could. It was a little dirty inside, meaning the grease was a little browner than i thought it should be and there was a little black gunk on the rag I used to swab off the insides... I checked all the o-rings, they seemed like they were fine. I then re-greased the parts that the manual told me I should and I took off the high and low pressure input/output and gauges.

I didn't remember this but the manual said I shouldn't use teflon tape when resealing these, I just read that today. So I'll remove those and the tape and then use an "anaerobic thread sealant" (LockTight - Blue) instead - what the manual told me I should use.

If that doesn't fix my problems, what else could this be? :notsure: Any recommended next steps??

Thx.

[Duper]

Please help...

OK, I fixed the leak that was coming out of my tank but I noticed either a new leak or just one I never noticed before.

I indicated in the picture where I hear air coming out when I air up the marker. It seems to leak a little air VERY slowly (but audibly) from that one spot. I can cover that hole w/ my finger and the lead seems to go away. When I fire the marker again, the leak comes back but then goes away after a minute or so...

There doesn't appear to be any drop in the low pressure output gauge on my tank and my LPR doesn't seem to change at all either.

What's causing this??? Is this normal??? :notsure: I can't imagine it is... I'd like to try and fix this myself but I might have to take this to an Angel tech.

Thanks.