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.

[glaman5266]

Agreed. No lube, a worn-out ratchet and thin-shelled paint were always my main issues. I would just re-grease it once a year and use a midgrade paint. (not crappy stuff but also not thin-shelled tournament stuff)

[lhamilton1807]

I have also noticed that rust becomes a possibility when the cyclone is left dry for too long. The grease repels water and keeps the steel bits from corroding.

[Sinless Steve]

I just bought a couple old pre 2011 a5’s all with original o-rings that crumbled to pieces when opened. but 3/5 cyclone feeds were in perfect condition still cycles good, seals are good no reason to replace anything. If you push the piston on the back and it cycles fine with no clunking/grinding/jamming your good to go, I would just put 1 or 2 drops of oil in the rear tube every so often by removing the top bolt on the tube. But if it’s grinding/clunking I’ve seen the feeder ratchets break and shoot the pin and spring out causing it to jam and only cycle half the time, probably from people smashing the piston, maybe the R/T triggers put too much strain on them, but who knows maybe it just happens. It’s only a $3 part and the only thing I’ve seen actually break on an A5 other than an Oring. theirs a full metal replacement kit for $25 I saw on eBay but plastics good enough for me. Ik I’m a lil late just leaving it for the next guy