The Aussie Pinball Arcade

Aussie Pinball Forums => Technical Matters => Pinball Repairs / Problems & Assistance => Topic started by: johno on February 14, 2013, 12:50:29 AM

Title: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: johno on February 14, 2013, 12:50:29 AM
Hey Guys,

I have a Gottlieb System 80 James Bond.

Lately I have noticed that when you pull he plunger it often doesnt have enough power/strength to push the binball into the play area.

Now I have never had a pinball before with the plunger so what parts do i need to replace to fix this?

I dont think it's just a level/angle problem.



Cheers
Johno
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: Homepin on February 14, 2013, 12:53:27 AM
I would dismantle it and give everything a thorough clean first - easy to do - pull off the plunger rubber and remove the circlip.

Clean all the bits with windex and reassemble when dry.

You could replace the two springs as well if inclined RTBB has them and they are pretty cheap.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: johno on February 14, 2013, 01:07:23 AM
thanks mike. just contacted rod to see if i can add to an order i still have pending from him.

the weak plunger is killing the enjoyment of the pin for my kids!
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: Homepin on February 14, 2013, 01:11:09 AM
You might want to buy in a couple of plunger rubber tips next order as well - they don't last long
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: Strangeways on February 14, 2013, 09:49:49 AM
Whatever you do - don't lubricate the plunger. Replacing the spring and giving it a clean should do the trick.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: pinnies4me on February 14, 2013, 12:44:39 PM
Whatever you do - don't lubricate the plunger. Replacing the spring and giving it a clean should do the trick.

+1 - Just took the plunger apart the other day on a game that was not shooting well - full of grease. Good clean and works beautifully. If it has a sleeve (can't recall on Gottlieb) that is the easiest way to fix - clean the rod and replace the sleeve and springs if necessary.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: MartyJ on February 14, 2013, 02:00:41 PM
Whatever you do - don't lubricate the plunger. Replacing the spring and giving it a clean should do the trick.

+1 - Just took the plunger apart the other day on a game that was not shooting well - full of grease. Good clean and works beautifully. If it has a sleeve (can't recall on Gottlieb) that is the easiest way to fix - clean the rod and replace the sleeve and springs if necessary.

From memory I think the Sys80's do have a sleeve.  I actually think they are very very close to a WMS sleeve so a new one should not be a problem.  I generally kit a full spring kit from RTBB and it makes it like new.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: Strangeways on February 14, 2013, 06:29:28 PM
SYS80s have a plastic housing. When you remove the plunger, you will see it. I would run a rag dipped with a bit of metho and feed it through the housing and then clean the housing from grease and any other lubricant. Also clean the plunger itself. Then refit with the RTBB springs and you should be ok.

 ^^^
Title: Re: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: MartyJ on February 14, 2013, 06:33:09 PM
Ahh yep you are right.  Had been a while since my Black Hole
Title: Re: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: Strangeways on February 14, 2013, 06:34:28 PM
Ahh yep you are right.  Had been a while since my Black Hole

I had to check with the manual, because I could not remember either !

Part number B-8834.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: johno on February 19, 2013, 05:26:09 PM
Just trying to dismantle the plunger so I can put the 2 new springs on. Any idea how to get the cold washer at the end off as it can't go over the end of the shooter rod (it moves freely but is smaller than the tip of shooter rod so won't pull off)?

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/19/avyne3ep.jpg)

If I can't get off ill only be able to replace the inner bigger spring and won't be able to clean the shooter rod fully!!
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: Strangeways on February 19, 2013, 06:06:59 PM

You will need to file that "burr" off. The ball has "mushroomed" the tip !
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: johno on February 19, 2013, 06:21:48 PM

You will need to file that "burr" off. The ball has "mushroomed" the tip !

I was afraid of that! Nothing's easy is it!

I just changed the internal spring as that was easy to do with no filing  *.* and to see if it made any difference but still only 1 ball out of about 10 makes it to the playfield, so do you think changing external (small spring) will make any difference or should I be looking at something else?

I don't think it's the level of the playfield (but I could be wrong). I just dont kow.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: johno on February 19, 2013, 07:58:30 PM
Could it be a coil problem or dead coil?
Title: Re: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: MartyJ on February 19, 2013, 08:04:09 PM
Make sure the centre of the plunger lines up with centre of ball. Only has to be out a mm to cause this
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: johno on February 19, 2013, 08:20:14 PM
Ok. Ill look later when kids are in bed but if that's the problem how do you fix it?
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: Homepin on February 19, 2013, 08:26:01 PM
Ok. Ill look later when kids are in bed but if that's the problem how do you fix it?

There are two nuts inside the cabinet that retain the whole assembly - loosen those and you you have 'wiggle room'

The mushroomed tip is caused by NOT replacing the tips often enough and the plunger striking the ball, that's why I suggested stocking a few rubber tips - they are dirt cheap and prevent this problem you currently have - also prolongs the life of the balls.
Title: Re: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: MartyJ on February 19, 2013, 08:31:31 PM
Sorry i should have explained that better. Homepin is 100% correct.

Just finger tight while adjusting the location of plunger. You can go up down left or right. Just need to find the sweet spot
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: studley67 on February 19, 2013, 08:37:42 PM
Could it be a coil problem or dead coil?

is this guy for real?coil problem?we were talking about a plunger.i can remember when i was new to pins but this guy has no idea.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: johno on February 19, 2013, 08:50:45 PM
Thanks mike and Martyj ill take a closer look later tonight.

Yes studley I have no idea. Everything I've learnt is self taught or I pay someone to fix and I'm not very mechanical/electronically minded. A coil issue was suggested to me by someone off forum hence why I asked.

So thanks studley for reinforcing that I have no idea. I may as well give up trying to fix things myself and either sell the pin or pay someone to come fix it. Thanks for your encouragement.

Cheers
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: studley67 on February 19, 2013, 09:01:26 PM
sorry,mate i did not intend to offend.i encouage you to learn more about the basic workings of a pin.hey i had to learn too.and i am still learning,33 years later.can you find a local that will come over and help you out.we have members all over the world.nothing is to hard..stick with it and you will win.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: Steevsee on February 19, 2013, 09:04:34 PM
Keep your chin up mate and ask as many questions as you like.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: johno on February 19, 2013, 10:41:14 PM
thanks guys for all the support and advice. problem is now fixed. looking at the shooter it was slightly off centre to the ball so I tightened the interior nuts and it now works 100% of the time.

Thansk everyone for all the advice. I know I ask stupid questions from time to time on here and aussie arcade but my skills with this stuff are VERY limited and I just learn from the net, forums or pay someone to fix it!

Cheers
Johno
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: Strangeways on February 21, 2013, 10:15:13 AM
thanks guys for all the support and advice. problem is now fixed. looking at the shooter it was slightly off centre to the ball so I tightened the interior nuts and it now works 100% of the time.

Thansk everyone for all the advice. I know I ask stupid questions from time to time on here and aussie arcade but my skills with this stuff are VERY limited and I just learn from the net, forums or pay someone to fix it!

Cheers
Johno

Well done on fixing your game ! Ask as many questions as you need to.
Title: Re: Gottlieb System 80 Plunger Weak
Post by: dendoc on February 22, 2013, 12:41:44 PM
Well done on the fix - that is what this forum is all about!

Don't worry about negative comments - cyber bullying seems to be creeping in everywhere.

Wait till the next thing goes funny, post some pics, and try again. By doing this we all learn something, especially those whe just read but don't post. Pinballs are both great fun to play, and great (or is that Grate) to fix, and both aspects give you rewards.

 $#$