GX-E-5K1 Compressor issues

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LW737

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Jun 10, 2025
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I recently purchased an E5K1, which as far as I can tell has the same type water-cooled system as the K2 model. I used the compressor only to fill up my airguns (Umarex .30 Gauntlet and .50 Hammer) never used it to fill tanks. Unit setup was easy, and I thought I'd finally got a compressor that would last. I was impressed with the quick fill times, cool and quiet operation. That lasted a grand total of ONE hour operating time, according to the on-board hour-meter. The water pump stopped working, or would turn off after a few seconds. I could tell water was only circulating intermittently by watching the spinning/stopping of the flow indicator on the side of the compressor.

I'm really starting to question the quality / quality control of Chinese compressors at this point. I started with an Air Venturi Nomad, which lasted until the warranty ran out. This was followed by a Spiritech VE3, which quit working after several months. I was able to get a refund on that through Amazon. Next came a TUDIVING TXEDT032, a water-cooled beast with an engine about the size of a volkswagon beetle. Surely, I thought this would handle filling my guns with ease. Not so. Just after the Amazon 30 day return period expired, it gave up the ghost, refusing to produce more than 3000 psi. After monumental efforts, a refund was issued. Since I'm starting to get paranoid with all these failures, I decided to buy a little TUXING TXET063 4500 PSI digital compressor to use as a backup to the next compressor I set my sights on: the mighty GX-E5-K1... not the monster the K2 is but surely this one could handle my meager requests. By now, I'm starting to think conspiracy theories, that the Chinese are trying to destroy our great nation by sending us faulty air compressors. I'm in the process of returning ANOTHER air compressor. If I've learned one thing it's ALWAYS get the extended warranty!

If it was only me having these compressor problems, it would be one thing. I'm just a relative newcomer to airgunning, with only a couple of years experience and 23 dead coyotes under my belt; I don't know a ton of other airgunners. But I have a buddy whose a fellow airgunner, and he too has run through about 5 or 6 compressors. He has another buddy whose had similiar experiences.

Can anybody shed some light these compressor issues? What do you guys with lots of experience use for your guns? What compressors are the most reliable, having long service life? Thanks so much in advance!
 
My Yong Heng is a little over 4 years old and the bottle (45 minute Scott air tank) fill times got long so I have a replacement piston/rod assembly on order. Hopefully that will fix it. It's been working well.

Fortunately I bought a little GX CS2 and it is working well to fill my guns while I wait for parts for the YH. If all you want to do it fill guns I think the CS2 is a great deal. I got it delivered to my house for about $250. I added a 18 to 12V converter and battery dock so I can power it now with Milwaukee tool batteries, my car or truck, and with the 120 to 12V power supply it came with. Only weighs about 15 lbs and is reasonably quiet.

I put good oil in my YH and didn't let it get real hot but they are not real highly engineered compressors. Pretty basic and loud but in my experience they can last at least 4 years with fairly light use (about a bottle fill a month on average). But I think you bought a compressor that should have lasted you years and done everything my YH has, if a little slower perhaps. It's possible to "get a bad one" on any purchase, not just stuff made in China. But I have a chinese made air rifle I'm still wanting to fix that had it's passages drilled as if it was a 22 and it is a 25 caliber. Power was very disappointing. Pretty gross error. But I have 4 others from the same manufacturer that work well.
 
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@LW737, Your story and many other similar stories are why I decided my second HPA compressor would be my last. I’ve read too many of the type of experience you write about above. I cannot afford to replace a HPA compressor every few years and just want my compressor to work, period. Which is why I spent more on something that was overkill for my needs. Meaning just that, it will simply work and work and work without me being temerous every time I go to switch it on, Good luck!…🙏
 
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My GX CS4 says 99.3hr, probably 100 since ran some before installing meter. Lots of direct filling a big bore at the range, and plenty of top offs on 6.8 liter tank (3000 to 4500psi) Not a single issue. Planning to do a tear down inspection and preventative maintenance service this weekend. Will be the 1st time other than changing water twice.

20250617_195837.jpg
 
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LW737 said:
I recently purchased an E5K1, which as far as I can tell has the same type water-cooled system as the K2 model. I used the compressor only to fill up my airguns (Umarex .30 Gauntlet and .50 Hammer) never used it to fill tanks. Unit setup was easy, and I thought I'd finally got a compressor that would last. I was impressed with the quick fill times, cool and quiet operation. That lasted a grand total of ONE hour operating time, according to the on-board hour-meter. The water pump stopped working, or would turn off after a few seconds. I could tell water was only circulating intermittently by watching the spinning/stopping of the flow indicator on the side of the compressor.

I'm really starting to question the quality / quality control of Chinese compressors at this point. I started with an Air Venturi Nomad, which lasted until the warranty ran out. This was followed by a Spiritech VE3, which quit working after several months. I was able to get a refund on that through Amazon. Next came a TUDIVING TXEDT032, a water-cooled beast with an engine about the size of a volkswagon beetle. Surely, I thought this would handle filling my guns with ease. Not so. Just after the Amazon 30 day return period expired, it gave up the ghost, refusing to produce more than 3000 psi. After monumental efforts, a refund was issued. Since I'm starting to get paranoid with all these failures, I decided to buy a little TUXING TXET063 4500 PSI digital compressor to use as a backup to the next compressor I set my sights on: the mighty GX-E5-K1... not the monster the K2 is but surely this one could handle my meager requests. By now, I'm starting to think conspiracy theories, that the Chinese are trying to destroy our great nation by sending us faulty air compressors. I'm in the process of returning ANOTHER air compressor. If I've learned one thing it's ALWAYS get the extended warranty!

If it was only me having these compressor problems, it would be one thing. I'm just a relative newcomer to airgunning, with only a couple of years experience and 23 dead coyotes under my belt; I don't know a ton of other airgunners. But I have a buddy whose a fellow airgunner, and he too has run through about 5 or 6 compressors. He has another buddy whose had similiar experiences.

Can anybody shed some light these compressor issues? What do you guys with lots of experience use for your guns? What compressors are the most reliable, having long service life? Thanks so much in advance!
Click to expand...
The most likely (but not guaranteed) cause of intermittent operation is loose connections.

JackHughs
 
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LW,
Sorry to hear of these troubles, no question, Chinese Quality Control is hit or miss. Not sure what to say to those who've tried numerous compressor platforms, brands and models, all ending in disappointment. Used to write it off as operator error or sub-standard clones, now think it's more like bad luck. Thread reflects Yong Heng (4 years on mine) and GX-CS are worth the gamble in the budget compressor market. WM
 
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WorriedMan said:
LW,
Sorry to hear of these troubles, no question, Chinese Quality Control is hit or miss. Not sure what to say to those who've tried numerous compressor platforms, brands and models, all ending in disappointment. Used to write it off as operator error or sub-standard clones, now think it's more like bad luck. Thread reflects Yong Heng (4 years on mine) and GX-CS are worth the gamble in the budget compressor market. WM
Click to expand...
Worth the “gamble”? For whom. I thought the transaction was a purchase by a consumer lead to believe a product works as advertised… Not a lottery ticket or roll of the dice…🙈
 
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Ta-Ta Toothie said:
Ever since the pandemic, it all seems to be a gamble regardless of the price or origin.
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Ah! So the poor QC is pandemic related? Regardless of price and origin? Maybe, if you’re speaking about the disposable Chinese HPA Compressors. It seems that QC issues are the norm. Many threads posted about it…
 
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Im not going to write up a bunch of specifics and shouldn't have to. I'm not sure what you do for a living, but I work at commercial and industrial facilities and can tell you 1st hand, every piece of equipment we receive has issues, from 800 ton chillers to 2 megawatt generators and everything below, doesn't matter where it's made anymore.Heck, I just received my new outfitted f450 and that has many problems. Try looking up the 10 speeds GM and Ford is throwing in these things. I could go on forever.
 
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@LW737, did you already clear out air bubbles? Turn on the fan and water pump, then gently lift the rear up to about 30 degrees. Then put it down and do the same with the front. Then check the fluid window again. It's helpful to do this with the cover removed, as you can see bubbles and fluid moving through the tubes.

I thought my water pump was broken until I remembered to do this during initial setup. That "fixed" it for me.
 
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kwaping said:
@LW737, did you already clear out air bubbles? Turn on the fan and water pump, then gently lift the rear up to about 30 degrees. Then put it down and do the same with the front. Then check the fluid window again. It's helpful to do this with the cover removed, as you can see bubbles and fluid moving through the tubes.

I thought my water pump was broken until I remembered to do this during initial setup. That "fixed" it for me.
Click to expand...
Most all the setup videos I've seen have said to do this.
 
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Ta-Ta Toothie said:
Contact GX. I currently have 12 hours on my 5K1, so that's 36 top offs on a 97 cf bottle. No issues so far. Also have a CS4 with 50 hours on the clock. These things do get banged around pretty good during transit, so something is probably lose.
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Thanks. I checked all connections/wiring, and found nothing wrong. I'm just planning on getting a refund and probably going to try my luck with a Hill compressor.
 
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