Having recently acquired my used V1 mini from a local baller, I went ahead and ordered a v3 poppet when I noticed a small leak coming down the barrel.

The V3 poppet got here Friday and I promptly installed it, only to notice that the leak is still there.

From here, I did a number of things:

-reset the poppet
-reset the optimus board to factory
-reset the reg to 200psi
-reset the solenoid
-cleaned and lubed every o-ring with Dow33

The darn thing still leaks down the barrel! I tried looking closely at the o-rings, but don't see any visible signs of wear.

Should I order a parts kit regardless and change the o-rings? Is there anything else I can try?

take the bolt guide out of the gun, put the bolt onto the bolt guide and point the guide down. if the bolt slides off the bolt guide you need to replace the orings on the bolt guide. check the orings on the bolt
try a different battery

typically smaller orings on the bolt guide create blowback in the feedneck but possibly down the barrel as well.

Yup, the bolt does slide off. Guess I'll order a parts kit and go from there.

Thanks for the info!

In addition to what wslp said, check the air transfer tube orings and the oring on the poppet. Yes, the poppet is new but the oring could still have an issue.

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Also make sure the sealing surfice inside the bolt guide where the poppet seats and clean, use a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol. Make sure there is no lube on the poppet face.

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For any retail items visit Boss Paint Products.

Mini and BT factory parts.

Good thing I didn't order a parts kit - although the bold guide looked clean, I took some cotton swabs and alcohol and gave it a good cleaning.

The leak was much less audible upon gassing and after a couple of dry fires, it stopped altogether.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Woot, another fixed mini!

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Ugh, looks like I talked to quick. I put a fresh Alkaline 9V battery, as my other one was getting on the weak side, and the leak is still there. Looks like it's hit or miss. Sometimes the leak is there, sometimes it isn't.

So I went ahead and ordered a Player's Pack. Until then, the Mini goes back on the pegboard for a few weeks. Will keep you posted!

i wouldn't have jumped to the conclusion of spending the $$
it may come in handy down the road, but did you make sure you cleaned everything right down take all the orings out give the bolt guide a good cleaning take to popit out and clean it up as well. it could just be built up guck you cant see until you disassemble it all. the V1 minis have gotten a bad rap but there no where near as problematic as people have made them out to be. i have one and rebuilt it with V3 parts because i wanted to, but i never had a problem with it that i couldn't fix without replacing a few orings.

Down The Barrel Leaks-

A. Gun Burps, Goes Full Auto While Shooting and/or Bolt Sticks Forward-

1. Check/change battery.
2. Reset the solenoid. De-gas, turn the board on with eyes off and pull the trigger rapidly 50 times.

B. Leak Down The Barrel at Gas Up-

1. Check Battery
2. Re-set Solenoid
2. Make sure Poppet is pushed all the way forward. Do this by turning velocity adjuster in as far as you can with the gun de-gassed. Then back out the velocity adjuster one full turn, gas up and adjust to desired velocity.
3. Check bolt and poppet guide o-rings.
4. Make certain that no grease is on the poppet seal.
5. Check poppet seal for damage.

Source:Invert Mini Trouble Shooter

Poppet may need to be reset:
To reset the poppet, remove the gas source from your Axe. Gently turn the velocity adjuster all the way in until it stops. Then gas up your Axe. If the leak has stopped, proceed to back out the velocity adjuster 3/4 of a turn, then measure velocity with a chronograph and adjust as needed. If a small leak continues upon backing out the velocity adjuster, the air passage through the poppet may be blocked, or the poppet seal face may be worn and needs to be replaced.

source: pg.16 http://www.paintballsolutions.com/pd...tal_Manual.pdf

the parts kit is a good buy, but your problem may easily be fixed without putting anymore money into the gun. take good care of the gun and maintain by cleaning it out often especially because its a V1
just trying to save you from more headaches

Thanks for all the info, but I already did most of that. As stated in my first post, I:

-reset the poppet
-reset the optimus board to factory
-reset the reg to 200psi
-reset the solenoid
-cleaned and lubed every o-ring with Dow33

The only thing left to try is actually dunking/scrubbing the bolt guide, o-rings and poppet in hot soapy water and thoroughly dry them. In retrospect, I can't get over ho dirty that marker was when I fully disassembled it. There was paint all over the eyes and the circuit board. It's obvious the previous owner did not take care of his marker. I take pride in cleaning and lubing all of my equipment immediately after a game. But I guess not everyone does that.

Will report back after further cleaning the bolt guide! Cheers for your help!