I am using little 12g CO2 cartridges because I don't have access to fill my 20oz tanks.

The gun is completely original, with no modded/aftermarket parts.  The last time the gun was shot and worked was sometime in 2001 - 2002...

From my evaluation, it seems the 12g cartridge adapter is not letting enough air into the valve to supply constant pressure, but what confuses me is that it's only a problem with the model 98.  the adapter and the 12g cartridges work like a charm in my Spyder Compact 2000, Spyder Victor II, and my ViewLoader Orion.

The gas line is not clogged, as I can physically hold the valve open and easily blow air with my mouth through the ASA and it flows easily through the system - out the valve/power tube assembly.

Im unsure what is going on here and why this gun will not fire more then 2 shots.  I can fire 2, then wait about 1 min, then fire a little more. 

Thanks,

    Kyle

 

The first thing I'd check is the adapter itself for the 12 gram. It may not be puncturing the cartridge enough for ample gas to be making it into the marker.

 

THe reason I think this might be the case is, one of the tricks to removing a tank and not blowing the o-rings was to back the tank out a little bit, fire the marker dry until the air in the system is expended, then remove the tank completely and there's no blow out of gas.

If the 12 gram cartridge is only getting a pinhole put in it, then the gas IS filtering into the marker allowing you to shoot, but not fast enough to keep the marker cycling. If you're able to WAIT a bit, then shoot again, it seems to me that the cartridge is re-pressurizing the marker, and you're shooting it with the air that's in the system, then when that's expended after two or three shots, there's not enough in the lines to cycle the marker again until more gas makes its way in.

 

Its a shot in the dark, but I'd try it with a full tank or a different 12 gram adapter if you can get your hands on one.

 

As for why it works in the other markers- I can't really say, but off the top of my head, I can't really think of anything else to try. You've been pretty thorough in your troubleshooting, which makes it all the more confusing for me.

 

You could also try putting a drop or two of oil into the tank adapter on the marker, then gassing it up and shoot.

 

 

.......I don't believe it's got anything to do with the springs or sear or anything like that, since you've got to actually wait for the marker for a few minutes before you can shoot again.