If you have an autococker question post it here and i will try to help you out. I will also be setting up a cocker tech page with FAQ and stuff like that.
http://cockertech.homestead.com/cockerhomepage.html
Yes I can pull it back by hand and there is no leaks at all. The only thing that is wrong is that the back block won't catch the cocking rod and pull it far enough to cock it. It cocks fine if i help it.