X Valve only works when loose?

[oats944]

Hey guys, purchased a splash mag in the mech section recently. ULE body, intelliframe, Luke’s rail. Ordered a new x valve from AGD and installed it. 1.5 level 10 carrier leaked, went down to the 1.0 carrier and works like it should. No shims. New gold spring. Level 10 bolt slides into the breech nicely. Rt on/off. RT sear.

I attached a pic of the marker and of the valve field strip screw. When I installed the valve and hand-tightened the screw there was a gap between the screw and the rail and the valve was loose. I added a random metal washer and an old level 10 plastic washer so I wouldn’t scrape the anno to fill the gap. That made it tight but it wouldn’t shoot fast. Between shots there’s a slight delay and a “psst” sound similar to when you first air up a mag before the click sound. It would act like you’re short stroking it when shooting fast. Single slow shots work fine.

I disassembled everything (entire marker and valve) at least 10 times and oiled the valve liberally. Finally I loosened the field strip screw from tight with the washers another 1/2 to 1 full rotation and it works great. Valve feels relatively tight when aired up but is a loosey goosey when not. I’m glad it’s working but I feel like something’s off with how the valve is loose like that and with such a gap with the field strip screw?

[Walker]

Does it have the Rail Bushing in place?

https://airgundesigns.shop/product/rail-bushing/

[Hellion360]

My first inclination too.

[superman]

Check the threads on the valve and the threads of the screw.
I would also check for the rail bushing.

[oats944]

Thanks for the quick responses! Yes it has the rail bushing. Actually I think it’s good now. I tried a different field strip screw last night with the same results and thought they’re all the same and stopped there. I pulled the screws from my other mags and the 4th one I tried screwed in further so I don’t need the washers and it’s shooting like it should. Thanks y’all!

[LukeAO]

In 35 years I have never seen this come up as a problem and you have 3 out of spec field strip screws(?) I'd sure like to see a full inspection of all the parts involved...

[oats944]

I’ll have to dig into them again and check. The first 3 I pulled from classic mags and were loose but work fine on those markers. The one out of my RT Pro fit well and got it working. The one that was causing me issues with the x valve fit well in the RT Pro though.

[oats944]

Had a little time before my son’s baseball game. First 3 pics are screws from the classic mags. Fourth is from a micromag rt, last is from the rt pro. Now that I’m looking at them side by side the little rubber gasket thing on rt pro screw sits a little more proud than the others. All are finger tight. Never paid attention as far as which screw is in which marker until now.

[LukeAO]

Did you try and tighten them with a hex key?

[oats944]

I snugged them some with a hex key but there was still a gap and didn’t want to go overboard and snap it off or anything.

[Olsson]

I have been using Automags for more than 30 years, and so forth I haven't had this particular issue. I have switched field strip screws without a second thought, and so far it seems to have worked just fine.

I am not dismissing your issue. I'm just providing my input, and I am also filing away your info for future reference in case I might run into the same problems one day.

[oats944]

Thank you, I’ve never come across this issue either. I’ve never had a problem with any part purchased from AGD. Could it be that the threaded hole in the bottom of the valve maybe wasn’t drilled quite deep enough which is causing the screw to bottom out in there before it’s snug? I put the RT valve from the rt pro into the splash mag and it screws in like it should and snugs up nicely. Seems like everything plays well together until the x valve is thrown into the mix.

[LukeAO]

I would have to measure the screws myself, but if what you say is correct I would say the valve is probably the issue, could be a manufacturing mistake.. I would contact Dave with AGD and report the problem since you just purchased the valve. If I were him I would want to measure all the valves in stock.

[oats944]

Did a little swapping to see what’s what. X valve snugs up nicely in the Pro. Pro valve snugs up nicely in the splash mag. Seems to be only the x valve in the splash mag that is a little funky. Just my luck lol. I’ll reach out to AGD. Thanks again everyone!

[StaticShocked]

FYI, I didn't' read the whole thread. But the tapped hole could be shallow tapped. I bought two new x-valves last fall, they were back to back serials, 9938 and 9939 i think. One was was not tapped to full depth on the 10-32 field strip screw hole (about half depth compared to the other valve). The other was to full depth. The field strip screw would get tight before the valve would on the body. I checked field strip screw lengths and they were correct (over several old screws and two new ones, also compared good thread of the hole from x-valves to several stainless valves). Could be another instance of the threads not being to full depth.

[oats944]

Thanks so much for that info. I just looked and the threads of the x go about 1/2 to 3/4 down the hole. Compared it to the RT Pro valve and those threads go all the way down the hole.

I’m torn now as it does function as is, but in my mind I want the valve tighter on there. Don’t want to turn this into a fix it ‘til it’s broke situation, but I do have the proper size tap in the basement. Hmmm…lol

[oats944]

Just wanted to follow up. Thank you again Static for the detailed explanation. I followed your instructions and it went easy. Field strip screw tightens up nice now with the extra threads in the valve and everything is functional.

[StaticShocked]

Awesome! Glad to hear it.