Author Topic: Pump Dieing (Read 652 times)

Bud B · « **on:** July 29, 2010, 07:26:37 AM »

Pump on my porty seems to be acting a little funky. I'm getting big pressure drops when wand is triggered. Plus when I hit pump swicth it use to jump right up to pressure, and now it seems to be a little hesitant.
Time for a pump rebuild?

Bill Martins · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2010, 07:58:09 AM »

Mine does the same, most of the time it will pulsate and sometimes it works fine.

Mike M · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2010, 08:35:28 AM »

Check the intake and make sure it isn't clogged in some way.

Also take a fitting off and see how it pumps then.

Also won't pump well if it loses prime.

What kind of pump?

Bud B · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2010, 10:59:36 AM »

Pumptec-series 205 (500 psi) Machine is Powr-flght blackmax 13gal.

Mike M · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2010, 03:16:11 PM »

They do occasionally need a rebuild.

Hopefully you've used it to death so it needs a rebuild?

Check the easy stuff like I mentioned first. Clogged intake or hose, and lack of prime will make it act like that too.

Bud B · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2010, 04:40:17 PM »

Talked to tech dept. for powr-flight, the claimed that the pump I'm running is good for about 300 hrs. after that they said it would not be uncommon to need a rebuild . They told me to look and see if there was any weeping on the pump at all, if so, the seals were on the way out. Total rebuild $110. . I didn't think that was to bad, rebuild kit on the way. Although it still comes up to pressure, I just want reliability!

I despise working on equipment in custys home, bad for the image.

Bud B · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2010, 04:48:45 PM »

I did check that stuff Mike, I have been noticing that it has been harder to prime lately. Any time that I had 100+ drop in pressure, I would have some air in it still, but that does not seem to be the case this time around. I will look into it a little deeper before I start to tear it apart.

Mike M · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2010, 04:53:37 PM »

Only 300 hours?

That doesn't seem like much to me?

George Barnett · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2010, 05:57:48 PM »

Checked the pump oil? I had slow to build pressure and it was low.

jeffvanburen · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2010, 05:21:42 AM »

Check check valve balls,filters etc is anything floating in the tank and then occationally partialy plugging the pump flow. I agree with Mike 300 hrs. pretty low for rebuild. Check your manual see if they suggest an occational acidic acid flush as a last resort that may clean the system and remove deposits.

Bud B · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2010, 06:39:38 AM »

Pump oil? This is a electricmotor driven pumptec 205. I did not know that there was oil in these.
This thing sat for a little while and when I went to use it, I had a little rusty water come out when I went to prime it. They do claim to do a vinegar rinse to get rid of deposits.

George Barnett · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2010, 06:47:13 AM »

Thought they were all built the same way as mine. Electric motor drives a pressure washer type pump. Had mine for years with few problems.

Attached a pic.

Bud B · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2010, 07:00:02 AM »

My pump looks a little different then the one pictured, I don't remember seeing any type of plug or fill area on the pumptec. When I finish my coffee I'll go look into it. Hoses look fine, I have a fine screen in solution tank that feeds pump so as far as anything getting in there its practically impossible.
I have had allot of run drys, which I usually scramble to shut off heater and pump when this happens.

Mike M · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2010, 07:50:00 AM »

Pumptec makes several different pumps.

Here is a breakdown for the 205 http://www.pumptec.com/PDFs/schematics/205breakdown.pdf

Does that look like yours Bud?

I've rebuilt some Pumptecs in the past and it was pretty easy.

This is the latest Pumptec catalog for carpet cleaning: http://www.pumptec.com/PDFs/Catalogs/Carpet_Catalog08.pdf

George - What unit is that pump on? Looks like a higher pressure capable pump? Should last a while with the oil bath?

Bud B · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2010, 09:10:00 AM »

Talked to tech dept. again.. I cranked pump up to max psi , almost 600, then triggered crevice tool (1 Jet), Lost 300+ psi. Tech guy said it sounded like regulator. With a 1 jet tool all I use to drop in pressure was 50 psi, now I'm getting 300psi drop. Powr-flight said he thought pump was ok, that he believes it is the regulator. (rebuild kit $26.00, Complete reg is 57.00), I ordered both, It won't hurt to have some spare parts on the shelf. I plan on keeping this machine around even after I purchase tm. I will probably use this on upholstery's and in shop area carpets, plus it will make a nice back up.

Mike M · « **Reply #15 on:** July 30, 2010, 10:25:04 AM »

Always a good idea to have parts kicking around.

Not like we can just go to the store and get them here in Maine.

Things always have a tendency to go when you don't want them to.

Bud B · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2010, 06:02:46 PM »

I took the regulator apart, pretty simple on this particular setup. I cleaned everything up, light grease job on everything, reassembled, thing seems to work better than it did when it was new. Getting like 575 psi with about a 100psi drop when triggered, at 200-300 psi only 50psi drops with a little recovery( pressure starts to come back up when holding valve open).
I guess the problem was in the regulator (was sticking) .. Still glad to have some spare parts coming.

Mike M · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2010, 07:52:01 PM »

Glad it was one of the cheaper fixes.

Bud B · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2010, 08:17:35 PM »

Hold my breath. Sometimes these easy fixes go to crap quick. It should be OK this time, a little corrosion and dry looking. No visible wear.
So much for the cheap fix though, 200 bucks worth of parts coming. I should have parts on the shelf anyway, seems like it takes 2 to 7 days to get anything for parts you need here in the sticks! -(Maine).

Mike M · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2010, 08:39:28 PM »

Some regulators need regular lube.

Superlube is a synthetic that is available at Hamilton's Marine. We used to use it on our truckmounts. Comes in a small tube.

I think it was the Prochem national service manager that suggested it years ago?

George Barnett · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2010, 09:50:13 PM »

Mine is a Whissper 1500. Made by TMI.

Mike M · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2010, 06:23:29 AM »

So that's a 1500 PSI pump?

Probably why it has the oil bath?

Sure that does a great job.

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Author Topic: Pump Dieing (Read 652 times)