Need Help with Hurricane RTA (Tobeco)

[LoveVanilla]

Bought two of these -- great flavor and air. However, have identical issue on both units. The AFC rings jammed -- in a closed position -- when mounting on mods i.e. hand tightened without excessive force.

Suspect the AFC rings clicked past the detente but damn if I can move them back into place. I disassembled base, removed the deck and 510 pin but see no way to disassemble further to access the air flow control. Is there a trick here or are these pieces press fit?

Tried to move the AFC ring using two channel locks. But only succeeding in scarring the exterior and afraid more pressure would bend the AFC ring or even the base section. Also tried a couple steel posts through mounting holes in the base section and channel locks on the AFC. Still no luck; they are stuck fast.

Anybody have a hint or suggestion?

 

[dleister1981]

OK OK I got it finally. If anyone else has this problem, here is the solution:
remove the build deck, all O-rings, small insulator in the center of the 510 so you have ONLY the base. now, screw the base on a device, screw the tank section to the base (without the build deck and chimney). Now slowly apply negative pressure, gently pulling it apart from where the two pieces of the base are press-fit together. It will eventually become looser and looser, until it opens. Be very careful here. There are 2 VERY VERY VERY small balls inside the base, one of which is a little bigger and has a spring behind it and pushes out towards the inside walls of the air flow control ring and gives you the "clicks". remove both of the balls, clean them out, remove the spring, pull it to make it a little bigger, put it back in, followed by the two balls and then put the air flow control ring back on, and press-fit the other part of the base back into place. DO NOT over tighten it.

 

[LoveVanilla]

Oh man! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Leaving country and worried about not having these tanks. Just received stainless tank so going to try with that...