Need Help with FX Bobcat

[cj_86]

I am in the process of rebuilding my Hill MK3 hand pump and I am noticing corrosion in the small output hose that goes into the gun. Little concerned that moisture may of got into the internals of the FX bobcat and I'm looking for any guidance on what I can do. Can the Bobcat air cylinder be disassembled? Should I be concerned? Any help is appreciated.


Thanks,
CJ

 

[cj_86]

 

 

[cj_86]

 

 

[cj_86]

I can post more pictures ,but basically all the internals of the pump has black residue. Looks awful and I hope this is not what the Bobcat looks like internally!!

 

[FunGun]

Hey CJ,
Does look like moisture intrusion and it probably will be in your bobcat cylinder as well....maybe. Got a couple of questions about the Hill pump before passing any judgements. 
Does the Hill have the moisture dry pack installed? 
Is the pump the same "age" as the bobcat?
Have you ever replaced the Moisture absorbing desiccant?

I'm hoping the pump is much older than your gun, and maybe has lots of miles on it? Since it is a MK3 they have not been out that long. So I fear your answer. So I am a little concerned about the condition. I have a Hill MK2 and will go pull off my hose and inspect and get back with you for comparisons. Sorry to see your having this issue.

 

[FunGun]

CJ,
I have the Hill MK2 and have had it for almost a year. It has been used to fill a tank approx 215cc to about 3,000 psi and is "dumped of moisture" via the pressure relief valve usually once per fill. I have not replaced my desiccant, still on the original pack. I also put a plastic bag over the top of the intake and attempt to seal the "air" out of the desiccant between uses.

I just inspected my pressure relief valve and noted a "black" discharge, small amount. I then took off the high pressure hose and inspected the hose and the respective high pressure port and threads and found absolutely no moisture or black residue. I am just wondering based of course on some of your other answers that maybe by pumping the bobcat to working pressure (with a much larger pressure cylinder) and without "draining" the moisture occasionally, that it has pushed the moisture over into the high side port of the pump and thus possibly into your bobcat? I hope not, but it is just an off the cuff idea?

Looking at your pics, maybe you could take the fill probe off the other end of your fill hose and see if the moisture has made it all the way to the probe? maybe not? (trying to be hopeful)

 

[cj_86]

Ive been using the pump for 9 months and the last 4 months the pump was used for only the Bobcat because that is currently the only air rifle I own. I do have a Desiccant pack on the pump and have never changed it. Pump is my only air source and I have shot aprox. 3000 pellets since using the pump. Never been rebuilt neither. FunGun I appreciate your input and unfortunatly the more I disassemble the pump the more concerned I am about the internals of the Bobcat. Most of the fills with the pump is used indoors in a climate controlled home.

 

[cj_86]

FunGun,

I've removed the probe and have found corrosion at the probe also. I'm very concerned now and have no idea what I need to do to make sure the Bobcat is safe internally. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[FunGun]

So sorry to see this CJ, I don't own a bobcat so maybe one of the guys that do can pipe in, but I think I would be making a call to AOA and see what they say?
You might even contact Hill and see if they will "chip" in on some ideas or maybe help getting your gun cleaned up? Just an idea. Mention this thread so they can easily view the issue?

 

[Stone02]

I had the same problem with a Hills pump. Check for the likelihood of sludge in the air cylinder by pushing a pipe cleaner or similar through the charging hose. 

 

[FearnLoading]

"cj_86"I am in the process of rebuilding my Hill MK3 hand pump and I am noticing corrosion in the small output hose that goes into the gun. Little concerned that moisture may of got into the internals of the FX bobcat and I'm looking for any guidance on what I can do. Can the Bobcat air cylinder be disassembled? Should I be concerned? Any help is appreciated.


Thanks,
CJ

Disassembling the tank on the cat is not very easy. Not sure if you have the older version where the tanks can't be screwed off. Check this video. It shows how to bleed the tank. 

 

[cj_86]

Thanks for the help guys and I've contacted AOA and Hill about the issue I'm having and what they would suggest me do. I have the MK2 and I unscrewed the air cylinder and looked in the cylinder valve and it looked very clean and no signs of moisture. I didn't degas the cylinder, just visual inspections of the exterior of the rifle receiver assembly and the air cylinder. I feel a little better seeing that the gun components are still clean. 
Now as far as the pump goes, It is a little disappointing to find all the moisture ,black crud, and corrosion in the inside of the pump. Not sure what I can do different moving forward to eliminate moisture from residing inside of the pump assembly.

 

[Stone02]

Even if you clean and repair the pump it's still going to contain ferrous metal, potential rust pockets, which a small tube of desiccant will not protect from atmospheric moisture unless regularly re-activated.

Hills replaced my duff pump - which I immediately exchanged for an air cylinder.

 

[Enkey]

Hi, Cj
Don't worry is normal in all pump, when you end charge and open valve discharge, there is a cooling air, and water condensation, from probe charge to valve discharge.
But not within the air cylinder and pump.