Tippmann A5 feed system maintenance

[FeedTheDogg]

Do Tippmann A5’s ever need any work on their feed system? I bought a massive old lot of Tippmann’s. At a minimum I plan to replace hammer O-rings and detents. Just wondering if the feed systems need work too.

[BrickHaus]

It's a mechanical moving system, so I'd say it can use maintenance.

I used to religiously grease mine. I wouldnt say thats necessary, but greasing the piston o ring, and ratchet cant hurt. Anything to make it operate with less Input pressure.

[Trbo323]

I wouldn't grease the ratchet. Increasing the chances of it slipping and/or the grease sticking and causing it to not rotate fully.

The piston cup seal though, yes. Grease or oil it (I don't think either is wrong)

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[lhamilton1807]

Maybe trbo323 has stories of cyclones misbehaving when the ratchet is lubricated, but I’ve never seen it unless there were other issues, like low input pressure (cold outside when using co2), a main spring that was weak (valve not open long enough to provide sufficient air), worn ratchet teeth, or inadequate lubrication elsewhere (hammer/bolt don’t move quickly enough to open the valve sufficiently).

Whenever I get a used marker with a cyclone feed, I do a deep clean of the entire marker, including the cyclone. I grease the piston seal and ratchet when I reassemble it. Greasing the ratchet seems to help it operate under lower pressure because friction is lower. I have 7 A5 markers in my loaner fleet, and they all work great with the above treatment.

just keep grease out of the housing where the paddles are - you don’t want greasy paint loading into the breach.