Star L85A2 Double Feeding & No power/range (SOLVED)

[Flying Squirrel]

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Hello everyone,

I've got a Star L85A2/SA80A2 that is double feeding and jamming, it also has no steady range or power.

I originally though that I had damaged the hop-up sleeve, and found when I opened it that it was indeed damaged, so I replaced it.

This did not solve the problem though it is still doing the same thing. Any ideas?

Notes:
- Beyond the hop-up sleeve, and a tight bore barrel this rifle is stock.

- Only previous issue is stated here and was resolved totally at that time.

Thanks in advance.

[Big Pepa]

It could be one of a multitude of problems.

Incorrect barrel installation
Tappet plate is busted
Air nozzle is busted
you broke your hop up rubber by accident when you reinstalled the new one.

It sounds like you busted your tappet plate to me but that is just speculation. If it's busted it's not pulling back in the gearbox or shooting forward with thus you will get double feeding. The lack of power is because the air nozzle might not be entering the hop unit... this would also be due to a broken tappet plate.

I have no clue if this is your problem because I'm working with little info and I can't check out the gun for myself. It just sounds like that to me.

If your tappet plate is broken, it's a cheep and easy repair.

[Jaxxin]

like Pepa said check that tappet plate. If that is cracked in half (happens ) then it may be stuck in the far rear position meaning bbs are being forced into the chamber by the spring of the mag, and then randomly shot out with the airnozzle-tappet plate all the way back. This means all of the air forced out of the gearbox thats supposed to drive the bb gets mostly routed out the magwell.

You will of course have to take the gearbox apart to replace the tappet plate.

[Flying Squirrel]

I think I may have found the problem.

When I opened up the mechbox the air nozzle and the tappet place had become unmated, so I cleaned them and realigned them.

I also cleaned out the crap from the cylinder and the piston. The O-ring on the piston is looking a little worn and I'm planning on replacing it along with the cylinder head and nozzle in the near future.

For the moment I can't test to see if this solved the issue but preliminary with the internals assembled and fired with a mag taped to the hop-up (it looks cool and wrong at the same time!) the issue seems have been solved, however I need to try it fully assembled to be sure.

My question is what version gear box is in this thing? I've heard it called a version 6 or 7 and that it is a custom. Does anyone know for sure?

[Flying Squirrel]

Anybody know what version gearbox / cylinder head is this for sure? It looks like a version 6 or 7, but does anyone know for sure?

[blade_x23]

Looks to me like it's a V6 gearbox. Don't know 100%, but it looks damn close to it. Doesn't really look like a v7 gearbox anyways.

[Flying Squirrel]

Here is a picture (not mine) of what is look like.


A V6 Head (the one on the AEG does not have the lower lip because of the tappet plate)


And a V7 (does not have the upper lip but may work?)

[blade_x23]

As far as I am aware, the v7 cylinder head nozzle is actually aligned a bit higher on the cylinder head. Why are you asking if a v7 works anyways? Also, maybe take a look at the shape of your cylinder head, as it'll probably answer your question.

[Flying Squirrel]

Yes I am asking if the anyone thinks/ or better knows, if the V7 would work.

As far as I can tell they look the same except that the V7 has no lip on the upper surface. However if you're right and the nozzle is slightly higher (which I suspect you are), I'm screwed.

This is a last resort at this point.

[blade_x23]

If you had a frontal picture of the cylinder head, it'd be alot easier to tell which version you need.

[Flying Squirrel]

Photo as-per requested.

The rounded end of the cylinder head is up. There is a knick in the o-ring on the piston head and the nozzle looks misshapen.

You can also see the o-ring on the piston too has been worn to a point.

[blade_x23]

It's almost like it's own style... lol. Closest thing would have to be the V7 tho, cause the V6 the top lip would get in the way. Kinda bizarre how they designed it like that. Some parts that are kinda unique to the Star L85 are tappet plate, nozzle, hop up unit, and cylinder head. As soon as something goes, it can be kinda SOL unless you can happen to find someone that has the proper part. The cylinder head you might be able to get away with using a v7, but don't quote me on that. Also, the air nozzle you might be able to use a P90 one (POSSIBLY) if your stock one breaks. But yeah, Star l85 gearboxes are kinda fail just cause of the semi-unique parts that are hard to find on the market. If you've got a friend that has a M14, see if you can borrow his cylinder head to test if it'll work in your gun.

[Flying Squirrel]

Yeah. . . so V7 cylinder head is 0.025" too long . . . so it doesn't fit.

Does anyone know where to get replacement cylinder head o-rings?

[Lotech]

Hi Squirrel,

Maybe you could take it in to a local NGAS store and see if they have anything that would fit. They have many sizes of O-rings.

[blade_x23]

I'm sure you could prolly mod it to fit, just would require a bit of sanding/filing down to make it short enough. But that's if you really need a new one.