392 Valve won't come out

[agorena123]

I was shooting the 392 today when the pumping action seemed to get harder then the gun did not shoot. I removed the pellet and would cock it, but it only did the thud sound.

I decided to disassemble to see if I could inspect the valve to diagnose, and began the disassembly via the youtube video.  But my valve assembly does not want to come out.  It is stuck in the the position in the photo.  I got it budge down a bit but then stops its travel out in the same spot.  Anybody have a similar problem or know the solution to remove?

[BenjiHunter]

Get it out at the back of the tube.
When I got mine out, I loosened it, got the trigger unit off and just gave it a pump. It came right out.
Tim at MAC1 showed me how to do it.

[Rob M]

get soothing smooth/soft  like a broomstick , so as not to marr the pump path.. (-'

[agorena123]

Get it out at the back of the tube.
When I got mine out, I loosened it, got the trigger unit off and just gave it a pump. It came right out.
Tim at MAC1 showed me how to do it.

You mean remove the piston?

[BenjiHunter]

Get it out at the back of the tube.
When I got mine out, I loosened it, got the trigger unit off and just gave it a pump. It came right out.
Tim at MAC1 showed me how to do it.

You mean remove the piston?

No, if you still have the piston and the pump arm attached, give it a pump and the pressure will push the valve out.

[agorena123]

Get it out at the back of the tube.
When I got mine out, I loosened it, got the trigger unit off and just gave it a pump. It came right out.
Tim at MAC1 showed me how to do it.

You mean remove the piston?

No, if you still have the piston and the pump arm attached, give it a pump and the pressure will push the valve out.

That’s my problem, it’s stuck and not being pushed out.  I saw a video where he removes the arm and piston and pushes it through that way. 

[GumpIsrael]

IIRC the old benji valves would come out the front, the newer ones have to come out the back. I can't remember how my 392 came out, but I remember it was a giant pain. it depends on where the stamping is- if the tube has more stamping on the front, take it out the back, and vice versa. I also had numerous problems with overspray into the pump tube that clogged my valve until i took all the paint off.

[agorena123]

Yeah. It’s going to get a complete tear down and clean, once I figure out how to get the front pins out, piston and valve. Don’t think I’ll make it steroid and just keep it stock. I’d also like to glue a fiber optic to the front sight post as it shoots a little high with the peep on its lowest setting.

[agorena123]

oops, posting error

[ray1377]

What most folks don't mention about "pumping" the valve out the rear of the compression tube is what happened to me also.
I got the same exact result as you, valve not coming all the way out.
What you have to do is pump the gun up to at least 8 pumps and basically fill the valve.
then when you remove the trigger assembly and pump, one good pump should eject the valve out the back.
Be safe and put a towel or something soft to catch it when it comes out.
If you don't fill the valve first, each time you try to "pump" out the valve, all that air just goes into the valve and isn't being used to push the
valve backwards.
After you get the valve out, while its on the towel or something soft use a plastic screwdriver handle or something that won't damage the valve stem and peck on it pretty hard to burp out the contained air inside the valve BEFORE taking it apart!!! That's the important part.
Hope this helps.

Thanks
Ray

[desmobob]

The bolt needs to be closed --or is it opened?-- for the valve to be pushed out by pumping the rifle.  Wit the bolt in the wrong position, it might not come out the back.  It also could be the valve's front or rear O-ring hung up on a sharp edge around one of the holes or slots in the cylinder.

Tight groups,
Bob

[Rob112o]

Sound like valve lock to me Arturo. I been following your posts and your pesting of squirrels. I notice you are using 8 pumps on them squirrel. This leads me to believe you are pumping to 8 a lot for plinking and pesting. I'm beating your rifle isn't dumping a full 8 pumps. Be it just a tad of air left over, that tad every time starts to build up. Example, let's say you pump to 8, kill that squirrel, half a pump left in valve. Pump to 8 again get another squirrel, 1.25 pumps of air left. You pump to 8 again and shoot a can, 2.5 pumps of air left. So on and so forth.
  Until it gets to the point you have pumped more air into your rifle and the force of the hammer isn't enough to push the valve stem. Get something long and see if you can depress that valve stem. You won't be able to. So get a hammer and the long device and tap until that air comes out. From here you can decide to push valve back to position or continue and remove that valve.
    To remove the pins get them started with a ball peen. Hit the pins until it's as flush to the tube as you can. From there you will need a roll pin punch, 3/16 punch. I put the rifle on my lap and do all this. Once you get everything removed drop some oil down the tube and get yourself a PVC pipe and you will be able to hammer out the valve.

[Frank]

My problem was there is a very small screw as I can remember above the bolt or something. Think it comes down from the top. It has to be backed out for the valve to pass. Otherwise you will score the valve. If you do you can smooth it out and it will be OK.... 

[agorena123]

Sound like valve lock to me Arturo. I been following your posts and your pesting of squirrels. I notice you are using 8 pumps on them squirrel. This leads me to believe you are pumping to 8 a lot for plinking and pesting. I'm beating your rifle isn't dumping a full 8 pumps. Be it just a tad of air left over, that tad every time starts to build up. Example, let's say you pump to 8, kill that squirrel, half a pump left in valve. Pump to 8 again get another squirrel, 1.25 pumps of air left. You pump to 8 again and shoot a can, 2.5 pumps of air left. So on and so forth.
  Until it gets to the point you have pumped more air into your rifle and the force of the hammer isn't enough to push the valve stem. Get something long and see if you can depress that valve stem. You won't be able to. So get a hammer and the long device and tap until that air comes out. From here you can decide to push valve back to position or continue and remove that valve.
    To remove the pins get them started with a ball peen. Hit the pins until it's as flush to the tube as you can. From there you will need a roll pin punch, 3/16 punch. I put the rifle on my lap and do all this. Once you get everything removed drop some oil down the tube and get yourself a PVC pipe and you will be able to hammer out the valve.

Thanks Rob.  I believe your assessment is correct.  When I started reading up on the problem, it sounded like valve lock, I just wasn't sure how I got there as I was careful not to over pump.  I appreciate your advice on removing the pins as I'm going to completely strip it down, clean and reassemble.  Also noticed that the threads on the valve where the bolt goes look a little stripped so may order a new one to make sure all is good when it goes back together.  This had two owners before it got to me so I'm blaming them.   

Going on a vacation into the Texas hill country with the family this week for Thanksgiving and plan on continuing the project when we get back.  Thanks all for the feedback, I'll keep y'all posted.  Any thoughts on upgrades or modifications while disassembled would be appreciated.  This one is a keeper for me and don't think I want to steroid, but maybe a little better than stock would be ok.   

[Horatio]

Arturo,

My 392 also does not dump all 8 pumps.

[agorena123]

Arturo,

My 392 also does not dump all 8 pumps.

Whats the solution?  less pumps?

[Horatio]

Arturo,

My 392 also does not dump all 8 pumps.

Whats the solution?  less pumps?

3 solutions. If you really want full power, cock and shoot the gun without loading or pumping in between shots. Or stop at 6 pumps. Or get some custom valve work done.

I do the first option usually. Want to get mine steroided eventually.

[agorena123]

Arturo,

My 392 also does not dump all 8 pumps.

Whats the solution?  less pumps?

3 solutions. If you really want full power, cock and shoot the gun without loading or pumping in between shots. Or stop at 6 pumps. Or get some custom valve work done.

I do the first option usually. Want to get mine steroided eventually.

Got it - thanks!

[Rob112o]

See how much air is left in the valve after 8 pumps. Judge by a sound comparison. Pump to 8 fire, cock and fire listen to the report. Now pump once, cock and fire and compare. Since you are taking it apart the solution is to get a weaker valve spring. If you weren't already in the rifle is suggest getting a stronger hammer spring or a stretching of the current one.

[Jadocs]

I was watching a video and it appears that there’s a way to visually check. What he did was empty the air from the rifle and pumped it eight times. He then detached the forgrip just enough to allow it to raise on its own. He then made note of the gap as shown. In his case it was a fingers width. After taking a shot he says to pump three times and check the gap. Add one pump at a time until the gap is the same as it was when you emptied the rifle and gave it eight pumps.