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Hydraulic Bottle Jack Issue

YYCHM

YYCHM

(Craig)
Premium Member
BottleJack.JPG


I have this 4 ton bottle jack that I keep in our travel trailer for changing tires. I've used it maybe two times in the last 15-20 years. Recently I needed to use it and discovered it's not functioning at all. Thinking it needed a oil top up I added some jack oil but still nothing. You can pump it all you want and it won't prime and jack. Is there a trick to these things to get them going? Seems pretty simple. Close valve to jack, open valve to release.
 
Could be air, could be bad seals, etc. While I hate to be one to encourage throw away, you can buy those things so cheap on sale that it may not be worth your effort to repair?
 
DPittman said:
Could be air, could be bad seals, etc. While I hate to be one to encourage throw away, you can buy those things so cheap on sale that it may not be worth your effort to repair?
Click to expand...

Ya, but is a new one just going to do the same thing in 10 years with no use? It's not as if one uses this kind of thing on a regular basis and when you need it you need it.

No trick to jump start it eh?
 
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YYCHM said:
Ya, but is a new one just going to do the same thing in 10 years with no use? It's not as if one uses this like kind of thing on a regular basis and when you need it you need it.

No trick to jump start it eh?
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Is there an air bleed screw on it somewhere?
Maybe try pulling the shaft up and see if that sucks in oil and displaces air?
 
I have a couple that are prone to leaking, but Princess auto has deals so often they are almost disposable. Garage sale/auctions -- also lots coming/going. I'll give you a dollar for it. Usable metal in there.
 
DPittman said:
Is there an air bleed screw on it somewhere?
Maybe try pulling the shaft up and see if that sucks in oil and displaces air?
Click to expand...

Nope, no bleed screw just the little T screw you use to close/release and a rubber plug that I assume is where you add oil. Can't pull the ram/shaft up but it does unscrew? What's the unscrewing about?

The odd thing is that there is no evidence in the trailer that anything leaked out?
 
kevin.decelles said:
I have a couple that are prone to leaking, but Princess auto has deals so often they are almost disposable. Garage sale/auctions -- also lots coming/going. I'll give you a dollar for it. Usable metal in there.
Click to expand...

Ya BUT if you can't trust them to be usable when you need them:confused: That's a dilemma now.
 
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YYCHM said:
Nope, no bleed screw just the little T screw you use to close/release and a rubber plug that I assume is where you add oil. Can't pull the ram/shaft up but it does unscrew? What's the unscrewing about?

The odd thing is that there is no evidence in the trailer that anything leaked out?
Click to expand...
You unscrew it if you need more height

Alternatively put a block of wood underneath it
 
Looks like this trailer is 5400 lbs fully loaded with propane and water and can carry 1700 lbs of cargo, so about 3.5 T.

Would a 2 T scissor jack suffice for tire changes?
 
YYCHM said:
Looks like this trailer is 5400 lbs fully loaded with propane and water and can carry 1700 lbs of cargo, so about 3.5 T.

Would a 2 T scissor jack suffice for tire changes?
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All you need is a couple blocks of wood and a shovel. Drive the crappy tire onto a 4x4. Place a couple blocks under the axle then pull the trailer forward, so the axle sits on the blocks and now the tires in midair

If the inflated tire is too high to go on, dig a hole

Farmboy style :D
 
YYCHM said:
Looks like this trailer is 5400 lbs fully loaded with propane and water and can carry 1700 lbs of cargo, so about 3.5 T.

Would a 2 T scissor jack suffice for tire changes?
Click to expand...
Scissor jacks are a bit of a pain but they are cheap and reliable. I wouldn't think you'd ever be lifting half the entire weight of your trailer with a tire change so a 2t jack should work.
 
Got the ram extended....

BottleJack1.JPG


And collapsed and extended it a dozen times. No change, won't pump up or hold. Grrrrrrr.
 
I have lots of jacks including some that have some rust on the shaft. Usually seals do not just go away 100%. I would not be surprised if you did not have enough oil in them of type 32. Add oil till it flows out. Try again. The mechanism is so simple I also fail to see how it could... fail.

On the other hand the only reason to play around with one is for fun - they can be had for like 15 on auctions or less - maybe 10. New on sale are like 30 or maybe even less.

Also it is princess auto brand - just go to PA and get a new one for free - they have 100% satisfaction guarantee with no expiry. You get the lowest price it sold for in the last 6 months. Or if discontinued the lowest price it had at its product end.
 
PA is good about replacing tools, pressure systems 1 year only. I had a Bur-cam pressure system 1.5 years old and they said go to Bur-cam for parts, no warranty past 1 year.
 
Ok, I got it going again.... It's pumping up and holding:)

I think initially it needed oil and to have the air bled out of it. Then in my frustration, I over filled it and the air had no place to go. When It was starting to pump up I attempted to break the seal on the oil fill plug to see if air would escape and it shot out across the room along with a hefty stream of jack oil spraying me and the adjacent wall LOL. Good thing I wear glasses. I'm going to pump it up and see if it holds overnight. If it does, then I'll relegate it back to trailer duty and make it a pre-trip check item like I do with the trailer tires air pressure, propane, water etc etc.

Oh ya.... and I'll keep some jack oil in the trailer.
 
Do the pins on the pump linkage come out? if so pull the pump plunger and barrel and see if the
seals have deteriorated. There should be a V-seal on the end of the pump plunger and probably
a seal in the top of the plunger bore. There is also a check valve between the pump and the cylinder.
Most likely a ball and spring it may be stuck open.
 
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