Catcrew

My son was shooting his paintball gun today. The gun appeared to have a muzzle flash of white smoke. I am assuming CO2. When the CO2 tank appeared empty I unscrewed it from the gun. The tank was ice cold and it kept spewing CO2 for sometime. Is this normal?

Drache

I am new this sport and just got my first paintball gun yesterday but I did do lots of research. I will try to help but I am new to this.

I'm going to say this is not normal, when you shoot with CO2 the tank becomes colder the faster you shoot the colder it gets. The more and quicker the gas is removed from the tank the colder the tanks becomes. If you unscrewed it all the way (off the gun) and it was still spewing CO2 then the valve on the tank might be broke. If thats the case you should go get it fixed or buy a new tank. If not then check to see if the O-ring is damaged.

This is all I can say really. Hope this helps.

TheAznInvazn

You valve may not be broke, and it's highly unlikely that it is. You either have a dirty valve oring or your valve pin was misaligned. Both are easy fixes.

__________________

TheAznInvazn's Mini Mart!!!
Spyder (STBB) & Ion Mods, Nokia 6200 & Red V3 RAZR, Watch, and MORE!

martix_agent

from where was the tank spweing co2? under what circumstances was this happening?

__________________

If your a Christian paintballer put this in your sig.

Another promaster for sale $100!

TheAznInvazn

True, he may have busted a burst disk... didn't think of that :P

__________________

TheAznInvazn's Mini Mart!!!
Spyder (STBB) & Ion Mods, Nokia 6200 & Red V3 RAZR, Watch, and MORE!

Catcrew

It was leaking from the very top of the valve where the push down pin is located. My son was rapid firing on full auto. Is it possible that the valve got frozen open?

martix_agent

so it's happening when you take the tank off the marker? does the valve pin eventually return to where it should be or do you have to manually help it out? it sounds like the valve isn't all that great. the pressure on it is too great to have it stick, even while frozen.(as far as i know)

__________________

If your a Christian paintballer put this in your sig.

Another promaster for sale $100!

toXic

What was the temperature outside? How fast did you unscrew the tank? And, How long did it actually spew the CO2?

I guess it is possible it froze open, but I have never personally had that happen in 8 or 9 years of playing.

__________________

Catcrew

It was about 40 degrees outside. It was spewing as I unscrewed it so I guess I took it off fast. I sat it outside on the rail of our deck until it stopped spewing on its own. I did not monitor it, but would guess it took a couple of minutes until it finished spewing. I am going to have it filled this morning. I will let you know if there is still a problem...

TheAznInvazn

If the valve pin looks like its at an angle, just wiggle it a bit and it should pop into place.

__________________

TheAznInvazn's Mini Mart!!!
Spyder (STBB) & Ion Mods, Nokia 6200 & Red V3 RAZR, Watch, and MORE!

Torch

Might have caught a bit if dry ice in the valve seal. Doesn't take much, even a spec of dirt can do it sometimes.

The cloud of co2 around the barrel is normal enough. Happens more in the cold and certain conditions.

The tank spraying CO2 when being taken off happens too. This can be prevented by turning the tank off about 3/4 a turn and then dry firing the marker- fire it without any paint in the hopper or chamber several times. It should 'burp' at you indicating it ran out of air, or at least get fainter and fainter as you keep shooting until it fails to cycle. I

If it does not turn the tank 'off' another 1/4 turn and try again. Keep going until the marker stops cycling normally, then the tank can be removed without the spray. Again though the spray is normal... it is the gas trapped in the guns air passages coming out the newly created opening. Usually harmless but it can damage the O-ring on the tank's valve that seals against the inside of the gun's tank adapter.

The O-ring is a easily replaced part and are usually only a few cents each...but they always seem to break when you don't have a spare handy.

Rapidly firing in colder weather gets to the limits of CO2 since the tank absorbs heat as the gas changes from liquid to solid every shot. They'll sometimes even get frosty in the middle of summer.

__________________
"RD&D - Research, Development, and Design. - If its not broken, fix it anyway."
T.O.G. #131 - P.O.G. #16 - C.O.G. #145 - Tippmann Forum Moderator
Rate the: 98C SL-68-II Feedback
Other members flaming your posts? Help is available
PBF boys still play with Trucks. Check out www.trukz.com

Catcrew

I appreciate all of the info. I talked with my local paintball shop owner. He looked at the tank and said that it was okay and not to worry.