Modded Sprinkler valve leaking.

[Rokmonkey]

Okay, well I built this cannon over the winter to launch snowballs for my dog to go catch. He loves it, and it worked wonderfully. So I bring it out a couple months later and now my valve is leaking, so air goes straight out the barrel.

I have some pictures of my assembly, I think It's because air is not getting on top of the diaphram, but I could be completely wrong.


Whole Valve Assembly


Looking down on the diaphram


Lower diaphram taken out


Part that sandwhiches the spring on the lower diaphram


And the whole assembly disassembled

[Lentamentalisk]

Make sure that any equalization holes in the diaphragm aren't clogged.
Make sure that there is no gunk in between the diaphragm and any faces it is supposed to seal against.
Thats all I can think of.

[brogdenlaxmiddie]

try puttin a lil bit of grease on it... like just a little bit, to help it seal a tad bit more... I had the same problem and it turned out to be the seal wasn't shutting and there was a lil bit of pvc shavings around it... try cleaning it with soap and water... and then put it back and see if it works -Tedder

[Rokmonkey]

Tried all those, and Im almost 100% positive nothing is plugging the equalization holes, unless some epoxy melted and dripped down into it.

[nivekatoz]

Im no expert, but you have a leak some place in the valve..If it were me I would pressurize the gun then dunk it in the bath tub just to see where all the leaks are..Than you can trouble shoot....Thats what was wrong with mine...

[brplatz]

i had the same problem and it was due to my blowgun not being screwed in all the way. i took it out and wrapped a ton of teflon tape on the nipple and screwed it back in. flawless ever since

[Rokmonkey]

Alright I'll try tha brplatz.

Nivekatoz I can't pressureise the gun, since there is a leak in the valve it goes right out the barrel.

[Hydra]

Out of the barrel? I think i know
In the valve outlet, theres like a little tube sticking out, which connects to that metal thing in the middle. the tube only "works" with a solenoid. With a blowgun that tube leaks air out. Just seal it with epoxy.

[Lentamentalisk]

Out of the barrel? I think i know
In the valve outlet, theres like a little tube sticking out, which connects to that metal thing in the middle. the tube only "works" with a solenoid. With a blowgun that tube leaks air out. Just seal it with epoxy.

...it worked wonderfully. So I bring it out a couple months later and now my valve is leaking, so air goes straight out the barrel.

It worked before, and now with a few months of sitting around it doesn't work.
Solenoids don't just disappear...

[Rokmonkey]

Aye Hydra, that metal tube is filled with epoxy.