With the lifter put back together, try submerging the lifter in a bit of oil and get a small nail or pin of some sort to push down on the ball valve inside the lifter. Pump the lifter in the oil while pushing the pin/nail down on the ball, this will release the air inside the lifter and prime it with oil. It should go back to normal once its primed and should be hard rather than spongy when you pump the lifter with your fingers
Hope that makes sense, i had to do the same thing just yesterday. Give that a go and see if it fixes your problem