When to reseal a PCP?

[DRose]

So how fast a leakdown before it needs a reseal? I have a p-rod and a marauder that never leak. Several small tanks and Nova Vistas that take weeks or more to leak down. Got my Hong Yang pump setup so not sweating if I don't want to. It's just that I like to have all my airguns in good order. Am I to picky? (Anal)

 

[rcarlisle]

If I know I have a leak, I can't leave it alone. I try to keep spare o-rings on hand for each of my guns so there's no waiting for parts. If I am just replacing a leaking o-ring, I replace all the o-rings I encounter along the way to that part.
Typically, I will tear a gun down after 5 years of service if it hasn't leaked sooner. After 5 years, I kinda need to know what's going on inside. Particularly concerning moisture damage and corrosion. Never had any trouble with that, but ~5 years is about as long as I am comfortable going without a visual inspection. I replace all o-rings at that time.
I have at one time or another tolerated a slow leak for a while. It isn't really hurting anything except wasting hard earned compressed air. But it isn't likely to get better on its own and you'll need to get in there sooner or later to address the issue.

 

[grackleblast]

Any leak is a bad leak. With pcp guns and high pressure tanks, any leak is bad. Anytime I discover a leak , it's find and fix time. They don't self - heal and usually get worse with time. Soapy water in a spray bottle is your friend. Use sparingly and pay attention. In most cases you can isolate the leak and address the problem. I'm not an airgun guru but have had lots of issues, both good and bad to deal with.

 

[Bigragu]

Things to consider when addressing a leak-
If using a soap water solution, unless you thoroughly dry all water off, you will get rust spots, and possibly taint the lubes in your gun.

Depending on location of the leaky o ring, be proactive and change all in the travels to that one o ring, like air tube end caps, change the o rings on those if addressing a leaky o ring on the regulator , and change all the regs o rings, not just the leaky one.

O rings are under a lot of pressure. They take their own shape to create the seal, which means stretch and deform.

Depending on how long you are working on your gun with no air in it, the o rings will shrink down and set back in their grooves but they have been stretched and in my experience if you take too long addressing the leak and re pressurizing the gun, other leaks may come about.

On my impacts, I have this two hour rule. If I can’t get the gun air’d back up inside of two hours I go ahead and change all o rings, x rings, bottle o rings, everything. Cause I already know I’ll have a leak elsewhere. For this reason, I make sure I have all tools and materials on hand before I drain down the gun