Really old nova leak

Bahhumbug · 05-26-2008, 09:37 AM

So, my nova is exhibiting the two typical leaks. It used to leak down the barrel, but I replaced the spool tip o-ring and that stopped. Now it's leaking from between the grip and the nova body where the pressure relief hole. I tried replacing the o-ring on the release piston, but that didn't help. The thing that makes this complicated is that I have one of the lower S/N Novas, and it appears that they are significantly different in the construction of the 3-way and grip. The S/N is 991 1260.

This is what the guts of the trigger look like on my nova:

Can anybody tell me what I should do to get the stupid thing to stop leaking.

Thanks,
Bahhumbug

bsm · 05-26-2008, 08:01 PM

Does the leak start right when you air it up or does it take a minute before it starts? Are you sure you don't have the reg set too high?

MaD · 05-26-2008, 09:21 PM

If you can tell... is it leaking out of the front or back hole between the grip frame and body? This makes a big difference. The back hole would mean venting from over pressurization and the front means that it's leaking at the spool. If it's the front, either it's not assembled quite properly or the spool needs new O-rings as well.

Bahhumbug · 05-28-2008, 12:13 PM

It's venting from the back hole, so it must be from overpressurization. Do you have any idea how to fix it? I haven't messed with the regulator. I'll replace the o-rings on the spool just to be safe, though. I have backed the reg all the way out, and it still leaks. It also take about half a second for it to start leaking.

Do you think I should disassemble the regulator and replace the o-rings?

EDIT: Oh, one more thing, I have the 5 o-ring version of the nova

Thanks,
Bahhumbug

MaD · 05-28-2008, 03:35 PM

Definently sounds like a creeping reg. If you're feeling ambitious a disassembly / rebuild of the reg would be a good idea. After all, the o-rings in there are probably pushing 8-10 years old at this point.

Honestly I quite often use an aircompressor (filtered) to diagnose / test a nova. If you have an air source or reg that can maintain ~80-100 PSI try that and see if the problem goes away.

bsm · 05-29-2008, 04:57 AM

There was a batch of novas recalled for bad regs maybe you have one of them. I forget where the list was but it's around somewhere.

Bahhumbug · 05-29-2008, 07:57 AM

Okay, I was thinking that the problem might be the regulator. It just sounds like it's going to be a pain in the rear to take apart. I'm sure that this is not one of the novas that was recalled for a bad regulator. Actually, you guys might want to post the S/N range in a sticky here. See warpig for the list.

Unfortunately I don't have that low of a compressed air source, so I'm just gonna have to wing it.

Thanks guys I'll post again when I finish rebuilding the regulator,
Bahhumbug

Drewed · 06-17-2008, 11:54 PM

Please allow me to jump in here. I also have a leak coming from where the grip attaches to the main body on my nova. It appears to be coming from the middle o-ring. My reg is shot and I'm running an external reg. It leaks as soon as I get any gas attached. It also appears to leak at all pressures.

Any thoughts?

MaD · 06-18-2008, 12:32 AM

A bit confused as to what the "middle o-ring" is. If it's coming out the slot further towards the back, it's overpressurized. Curious what external reg you're using and what pressure it's putting out?

Drewed · 06-18-2008, 08:27 AM

between the grip and the body there are 3 o-rings. The middle one is leaking. When I swap them around the middle one still leaks. As for a reg, I running a palmer's stab. I have have it set as low as 25 psi, and have it at 85 psi now. It leaked at all pressures.

05-26-2008, 09:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bahhumbug Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 11	Really old nova leak So, my nova is exhibiting the two typical leaks. It used to leak down the barrel, but I replaced the spool tip o-ring and that stopped. Now it's leaking from between the grip and the nova body where the pressure relief hole. I tried replacing the o-ring on the release piston, but that didn't help. The thing that makes this complicated is that I have one of the lower S/N Novas, and it appears that they are significantly different in the construction of the 3-way and grip. The S/N is 991 1260. This is what the guts of the trigger look like on my nova: Can anybody tell me what I should do to get the stupid thing to stop leaking. Thanks, Bahhumbug

05-26-2008, 09:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
MaD MCB Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 674	If you can tell... is it leaking out of the front or back hole between the grip frame and body? This makes a big difference. The back hole would mean venting from over pressurization and the front means that it's leaking at the spool. If it's the front, either it's not assembled quite properly or the spool needs new O-rings as well. __________________ -= MaD =- Like DIY projects and crazy scenario gear? Visit us! www.freepaintballplans.com Last edited by MaD; 05-26-2008 at 09:33 PM.

05-28-2008, 03:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
MaD MCB Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 674	Definently sounds like a creeping reg. If you're feeling ambitious a disassembly / rebuild of the reg would be a good idea. After all, the o-rings in there are probably pushing 8-10 years old at this point. Honestly I quite often use an aircompressor (filtered) to diagnose / test a nova. If you have an air source or reg that can maintain ~80-100 PSI try that and see if the problem goes away. __________________ -= MaD =- Like DIY projects and crazy scenario gear? Visit us! www.freepaintballplans.com

06-18-2008, 12:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
MaD MCB Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 674	A bit confused as to what the "middle o-ring" is. If it's coming out the slot further towards the back, it's overpressurized. Curious what external reg you're using and what pressure it's putting out? __________________ -= MaD =- Like DIY projects and crazy scenario gear? Visit us! www.freepaintballplans.com

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05-26-2008, 08:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
bsm MCB Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 61	Does the leak start right when you air it up or does it take a minute before it starts? Are you sure you don't have the reg set too high?

05-28-2008, 12:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bahhumbug Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 11	It's venting from the back hole, so it must be from overpressurization. Do you have any idea how to fix it? I haven't messed with the regulator. I'll replace the o-rings on the spool just to be safe, though. I have backed the reg all the way out, and it still leaks. It also take about half a second for it to start leaking. Do you think I should disassemble the regulator and replace the o-rings? EDIT: Oh, one more thing, I have the 5 o-ring version of the nova Thanks, Bahhumbug

05-29-2008, 04:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
bsm MCB Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 61	There was a batch of novas recalled for bad regs maybe you have one of them. I forget where the list was but it's around somewhere.

05-29-2008, 07:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bahhumbug Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 11	Okay, I was thinking that the problem might be the regulator. It just sounds like it's going to be a pain in the rear to take apart. I'm sure that this is not one of the novas that was recalled for a bad regulator. Actually, you guys might want to post the S/N range in a sticky here. See warpig for the list. Unfortunately I don't have that low of a compressed air source, so I'm just gonna have to wing it. Thanks guys I'll post again when I finish rebuilding the regulator, Bahhumbug

06-17-2008, 11:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Drewed Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13	Please allow me to jump in here. I also have a leak coming from where the grip attaches to the main body on my nova. It appears to be coming from the middle o-ring. My reg is shot and I'm running an external reg. It leaks as soon as I get any gas attached. It also appears to leak at all pressures. Any thoughts?

06-18-2008, 08:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
Drewed Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13	between the grip and the body there are 3 o-rings. The middle one is leaking. When I swap them around the middle one still leaks. As for a reg, I running a palmer's stab. I have have it set as low as 25 psi, and have it at 85 psi now. It leaked at all pressures.