Cricket crapped today! (repaired 6/30/14)
I was doing some chronographing finally with my .25 Cricket. All going well when suddenly the gun wouldn’t fire, just a soft click inside the breech mechanism. Pressure was good (maybe 200 bar) and had been shooting JSB Exacts at about 885 fps just prior. Anyhow, I thought the reg or hammer were stuck. Cocked and tried a couple times, then reduced, then increased HST, to no avail.
I opened the HST screw and the hammer and a small pin maybe .100 “x 1.25″popped out. All the air emptied. I reassembled, cocked the hammer, refilled the gun. It held pressure fine, but failed to fire, giving the soft click instead. When I recocked, all the air emptied out of the tank again through the breech mechanism.
Failed seal/o-ring in the release valve?? I can’t fine a hi-rez pic of the exploded parts diagram to troubleshoot. May send it back to Topgun Airguns if I can’t fix it, unless there’s a better place to get service.
This is my second failure with this gun One of the main o-rings on the gauge end of the tank dissected under air pressure leading to a slow leak. I’m wondering if I need to do a preemptive strike on any other parts??
When it’s working, it;’s a tack driver, but I’m a bit pissed about dependability.
All Replies
SN is 00880. .25 cal. Maybe I’ve had it a year or so?? Got it from TGAG. Shoots like a champ!!
Ernest: Thanks a million for your help!!!!
Your metal valve stem was mailed today-hope it will be there this weekend!!
The Delrin stems have not been around for over a year. How old is the gun?
As suspected by commenters, the Delrin plunger had failed at the point where the steel rod ends in the plunger recess. Just need the new firing pin (all metal version) and I should be good to go on reassembly and then back in action!
Never mind, found Ernest’s excellent video. Simple!!
So, I’m finally getting around to exploratory surgery on the Cricket. Above mentions that valve can be removed without removing air tube. I assume that means to remove the breech mechanism/hammer/sear assembly as a unit to allow access to the firing valve?
If there are step by step instructions or video to this phase of disassembly, I’d appreciate a link if possible. Thanks much!
Right, in both the Hammers being the same – regardless the model and the plastic valve rod being discontinued. You´ll get a new aluminium pin thru Warranty.
Is the replacement upgraded part a warranty item?
AFAIK, the hammer is the same. It probably just get a bit longer travel (=slightly higher power) with a shorter valve pin.
The valve pin is a warranty item. If something breaks due to normal usage/wear during warranty period it should be covered. In this case, it’s an under-speced original part which means it’s a factory defect and could also be covered by consumer protection laws, it would be in the EU. However, the manufacturer could be in its right to supply you with the original delrin pin, but I really don’t think they will and AFAIK they don’t make those anymore.
Delrin is rather poor material for PCP valve seal, it deforms and breaks up easily. Air Arms and Evanix valves are good examples of that. PEEK or Ertalyte are much better choices.
If that upper part in the photo is the “new improved” version, I’ll bet that mine is the “old” model, and the rod that came out is the steel rod pressed in the black delrin plunger. That’s why it’s polished on both ends with no sign of breakage.
I also notice that the stem seems shorter on the upgraded part. does that necessitate a different hammer as well?
Is the replacement upgraded part a warranty item?
5 & 6 make up the entire valve stem. They look a little different now since that diagram was before they went to all metal + delrin seal.
SniperM
Hey guy would someone mind say the which number in the diagram is referred to the stem just for my clearification. I have 2 crickets and it would be nice to know. I would really appreciate it.
SniperM
Hi John, you tuned 3 springs for me years ago!
Anyway your valve stem rod has broke or separated from the delrin seat, never seen it do that. You can send the firing valve assembly I will install a new valve stem and install a spring retainer lock nut.
PM me !
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Received the replacement new-style firing pin/seal combination from Ernest today (HUGE THANKS!!!) Reassembled, it’s holding air, and function with a quick informal 28 shots seems fine.
Many thanks to all who chimed in, and especially to Ernest and the folks at TGAG!
Now to do some chronographing and reset HST with the new valve. Is there a breakin-period for the new firing pin and seal?