Finding leaks in my PCP... [2025-06-19]

[GTA-Airgunner]

Good Morning Airgunners!  Thank you for being part of the GTA!

I'm guessing that most of the folks up here, at least the veterans, all work on their own guns versus sending them back for repair.  I do a bit of that, but there are some guns that remain over my head to work on.  One of those lines has always been the BSA R Class.  Maybe it's not having the OEM parts that holds me back, but whatever it is, I intend to get over the hurdle.

I've got one of the new R12s, and it's been beautiful to shoot.   I love it for the styling, consistency, and accuracy.  But the darn thing just sprung a leak.  I know that with PCP airguns, it's not "if you need to rebuild them" but more "when you need to rebuild them."  I also think that my environment is particularly troublesome for some airguns.  It's very hot and very dusty.  While I don't have the humidity to deal with, the other two give me fits with my PCPs. 

So my R12.  I'm going to pull it out of the stock and use some soapy water to diagnose where it's leaking.  You can hear it, so I'll have a good starting point.  Also, it does hold air.  But the moment you go past 150 bar, that's when it starts to leak, and then it leaks down to 150 and stops.  At least that's what it was doing the last time I looked at it. 

Anyway, that's what I've got planned for today, along with getting a GTA video ready for Early Release tomorrow for our Patreon members and our AirgunArmy Officer's Club members.   I also need to rebuild my Avenge-X, which I find much easier to understand and work on.  Maybe it's the price point?? Maybe it's just a mental block?  The R12 shouldn't be that hard to work on, but for some reason, it has me nervous. 

Anyway, if it all goes to poo, I'll take it with me to the Daisy Nationals and hand it over to their lead QC guy who fixes all my Gamo, Daisy, BSA, and airguns for me. It will take him all of 10 minutes, and it will be up and running again.

So, how many of you all fix your gear, and what products have given you the most pause?  What are some of your best success stories, and what have been some of your worst failures?

Let us know when you can.  I think this could be a great topic for a Let's Talk Airguns podcast when I get back from my trip.

I hope you all have a great rest of your week and a wonderful weekend.

Go get some trigger time, and thank you for being part of the GTA!

Cheers
Rick

[rdtricks]

I am cautious by nature.  You know the statement "analysis to paralysis"?  That is me, especially when it comes to working on highly technical and expensive things.  This past winter found me working on my Impact MKII and Wildcat MK3 bottle doing upgrades and long overdue repairs.  The biggest help to get me started on any project is complete schematics, videos from those who have already gone down the paths, and the assorted supplies and consumable parts/ pieces (O-rings, bonded washers, thread locker, tools and other such stuff.  I find myself reaching out to others on this forum and others for imput from fellow airgunners and then begin.

Yeah, videos seem to be the most important aid I can find.  Being able to watch and follow along with a process not only gives me some confidence but helps me avoid the dreaded 'extra parts' once all is put back together.  It is always most difficult tearing apart something new and unfamiliar.

I hate paying for shipping and the current cost of shop repairs seem rather high.   

[Rick67]

I don’t trust anyone touching my gun for repairs, even if he’s Numero Uno technician.

I get the feeling he’ll scratch it one way or the other.

In my mind, no is as careful as me when it comes to my stuff.

[Blowpipe Sam]

I’m just getting my feet wet with PCP’s but it seems to me that these inexpensive entry level guns I’m playing with are a bit too inexpensive  to spend a lot of money repairing.  But they are ideal for learning to tinker with.  I bless YouTube every day.

Since I joined the forum I’ve learned to repair a variety of different air guns and I’ve even embarked on a few upgrade and customizing projects.  All thanks to the folks here (and on YouTube).  I suspect that I will eventually figure out PCP’s too.  As long as I keep tinkering.