Gas problem in SP125?

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I picked up a used SP125 Plus and am setting it up to run gas (was previously setup for flux core wire).  I don't have the regulator that came with it, but I do have an Argon/CO2 regulator that is pre-set to 30cfh from a previous welder that was working.  After hooking everything up and turning on the gas, I run a bead of weld and it end up looking very porous with lots of sparking, similar to what it looks like when you try to MIG weld w/o the gas.  When I pull the trigger, I hear a "burst" of gas out the tip, then a very faint flow of gas.  I can also hear the solenoid click.  When I put my ear up to the tank and pull the trigger, I can hear it "sending" gas too.  I pulled all the lines out and checked to see if anything was blocked, and didn't find anything.  I'm wondering if something in the hose might be blocking some flow, but wanted to check on here first to see if anyone had any ideas.Thanks
Reply:At 30cfh, after the initial 'burst' I'd expect to hear more that a "very faint flow of gas".  If you release the tension on your wire feeder (lift the arm up) and pull the trigger, no wire should come out the nozzle.  Stick the nozzle up to your ear and pull the trigger, at 30 cfh you should hear the built up pressure burst followed but a whispered 'whoooo' sound and sense the gas fluttering the hairs in your ear.  If you get the burst but no real sense of continous gas flow - something is likely blocking the flow between the solenoid in the welder and the gas tank.Maybe you could borrow a flow meter and see if you are getting sufficient gas flow?Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:I would do a methodical check of it all, beginning with the regulator; is it actually putting out the volume once the pressure drops (hence the initial rush). Have you had the lining out of the gun to check for a buildup of shavings? Any restrictions visible in any hoses, particularly inside the machine? I don't know that specific unit, so won't try to tell you how the blow the lines/valve out backwards with air, or any such tricks.
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VAt 30cfh, after the initial 'burst' I'd expect to hear more that a "very faint flow of gas".  If you release the tension on your wire feeder (lift the arm up) and pull the trigger, no wire should come out the nozzle.  Stick the nozzle up to your ear and pull the trigger, at 30 cfh you should hear the built up pressure burst followed but a whispered 'whoooo' sound and sense the gas fluttering the hairs in your ear.  If you get the burst but no real sense of continous gas flow - something is likely blocking the flow between the solenoid in the welder and the gas tank.Maybe you could borrow a flow meter and see if you are getting sufficient gas flow?
Reply:Unplug the welder from the wall.check and make sure the miggun is pushed into the drive all the way.If in all the way. remove the cover.. Follow the gas line from the gas valve on the rear panel to the wire drive assembly. ( black plastic tube ). The plastic tube melts off the drive because of a bad miggun. You can turn the cover over and put the handle into the space between the door and the center panel. This way you can safely test the welder with out causing a short.Make sure hose is connected and then test  your valve. pull gun and trigger see if gas comes out gun connection. Follow these steps and you will find where the problem is.
Reply:I began to take apart the hose and when I pulled the rubber boot back and turned on the gas, I found a nice little gash in the line.  Any ideas how I can fix this? Attached Images
Reply:I am not familiar with lincolns mig guns but that looks liked it is time for a new liner or a whole new lead.Come try it out and stay a while.
Reply:Did you change the polarity when you changed over from the flux cored wire?
Reply:Open the rubber up a little more. You will most likely find a lot of broken and burnt wires.Lincoln guns have a bad habit of breaking there. The liner takes all the current and melts the gas hose. Time for a new gun.If you are good at soldering you might be able to cut the gun repair the damage and solder the little wires to the power pin then tape it up.It is a crape shoot at best.