New fluid = no worky ??

[BULLITT65]

Hey guys just got a nice S4 Blackhawk. I have been cleaning it up (mostly removing mud, clay and hardened grease built up over the last fifty years), and so far so good. I have probably removed about 2 to 3 pounds of mud and clay. So I popped the cover to pump unit and it was like brown sludge, it did raise the jack about half way and hold pressure. So I thought, I would dump all the muddy fluid and water in there and put in some new jack oil.

I must have made a mistake here somehow. I jacked it up as high as it would go removed the excess mud/fluid/water. then poured in the new fluid.

Now I got nothing... I have tried jacking it up it won't move at all with the new fluid in it.

ADVISE PLEASE!

 

[Garage5.9]

Seals blown probably held together by the muck

 

[BULLITT65]

could there be air stuck in there somehow? I see two flat head screws, and a 1 inch hex nut. Does anyone know how these function?

 

[Hiball]

Before you start adjusting things... Lets backtrack... How exactly did you clean the reservoir? Did you add oil "while" the lift arm was elevated? If so, this needs to be done with the jack arm down, so you don't overfill the reservoir. To purge a jack from air (good seals) you simply leave the jack in the release position and pump the jack 6-10 times, lean towards 10 on this model account there are mulitiple valves to flush. This will flush the oil from the reservoir thru the valve system, back to the release and into the reservoir. Then place the knob in the lift position and try the jack..

 

[BULLITT65]

Well Originally I was going to try to remove the pump from the floor jack, but I couldn't see a way to remove a pin from any of the universal joints to do this. SO I thought maybe I could just remove the "old fluid" by removing the top cover and turning it on its side, and pour all the gunk out. This worked alright I let it sit on its side for a while and took a rag and continually just kept on wiping any sludge our of the reservoir. When I felt confident I had gotten most of it out put the jack back on the level floor and released the handle. I then poured the new jack oil in I saw a few bubbles I turned the handle closed and began jacking. The fluid turned like a milky color,( probabley mixing with the un-accessable areas I couldn't clean. But from this point on, the arm will not move at all. Maybe I put to much fluid in? I put a quart in it, which filled it up about 1/8 past that metal plate in thier that says "don't use brake fluid".
your thoughts?

 

[Hiball]

Well Originally I was going to try to remove the pump from the floor jack, but I couldn't see a way to remove a pin from any of the universal joints to do this. SO I thought maybe I could just remove the "old fluid" by removing the top cover and turning it on its side, and pour all the gunk out. This worked alright I let it sit on its side for a while and took a rag and continually just kept on wiping any sludge our of the reservoir. When I felt confident I had gotten most of it out put the jack back on the level floor and released the handle. I then poured the new jack oil in I saw a few bubbles I turned the handle closed and began jacking. The fluid turned like a milky color,( probabley mixing with the un-accessable areas I couldn't clean. But from this point on, the arm will not move at all. Maybe I put to much fluid in? I put a quart in it, which filled it up about 1/8 past that metal plate in thier that says "don't use brake fluid".
your thoughts?

I would recommend bleeding the system as I described above, especially since you had it on its side etc...

 

[BULLITT65]

to be bled properly do I need to remove the pump from the rest of the jack? if so is there a particular universal joint or should I just try to remove the nut that it screws into? I tried your method and it doesn't seem to do anything different. it seems like I am missing a key piece of information. I understand the seals aren't perfect, but just seems like their should be some movement.

When I tighten the handle I can see fluid moving in the reservoir. I don't see the level of fluid change, but it seems like it is churning it. I also notice fluid coming out of a tiny hole near where the corner screw goes in.

It seems like if it was working halfway before that there would be some movement.

I appreciate the help

 

[Hiball]

to be bled properly do I need to remove the pump from the rest of the jack? if so is there a particular universal joint or should I just try to remove the nut that it screws into? I tried your method and it doesn't seem to do anything different. it seems like I am missing a key piece of information. I understand the seals aren't perfect, but just seems like their should be some movement.

When I tighten the handle I can see fluid moving in the reservoir. I don't see the level of fluid change, but it seems like it is churning it. I also notice fluid coming out of a tiny hole near where the corner screw goes in.

It seems like if it was working halfway before that there would be some movement.

I appreciate the help

Its Impossible to Diagnose over the INternet but with the Jack in the Release Position, Have a Helper Pull Up on the Lift Arm and then Tighten the Release Knob (Its Best to have the Cover plate on) Then Release the Knob which will drop the Arm and flush the Valves of any possible foreign bodies.

 

[BULLITT65]

I raised it up on a block of wood on the rear castors only. I jacked it with the valve open and closed. I fished my hand in the reservoir where I saw the movement of the fluid. I walked away for a couple of hours and PRESTO all of sudden it is working again. It goes all the way up. put it under my 63 pick up and it raised it to the sky. I did notice their is a slight leak under it( a couple of drips ) though. Maybe there was air in the valving and the slight angle bled the air?
I will still give your idea a whirl incase there is some extra air that can be purged. THANK YOU FOR THE HELP.
This thing was starting to look lke a huge paper weight!
I think I may buy a key from CRTDI unless someone has a better price than $25 a key. Who would you recommend for a rebuild kit on the pump, and has any brainiac on here put together a little rebuild kit for the light? I seem to be missing the small rubber seat that the button sits in. I did get the lens with mine but it is kinda cloudy. does anyone make one for this jack or do you know of anyone that may have a nice one? or NOS one?
Thanks again, I think f I wouldn't have bought this jack it may have gone to the scrapper or been buried in Fresno.

 

[larry_g]

Who would you recommend for a rebuild kit on the pump, and has any brainiac on here put together a little rebuild kit for the light? I seem to be missing the small rubber seat that the button sits in. I did get the lens with mine but it is kinda cloudy. does anyone make one for this jack or do you know of anyone that may have a nice one? or NOS one?
Thanks again, I think f I wouldn't have bought this jack it may have gone to the scrapper or been buried in Fresno.

You being kinda new here I'll let you in on a secret, Hiball is the recognized 'brainiac' on this forum. As for the lens you night try some of the polish that is used for headlight covers.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[BULLITT65]

What is the best way to go for a rebuild kit?

 

[Danglerb]

What is the best way to go for a rebuild kit?

Most here would say, Hiball I need a rebuild kit. He really does know Jack.

Make sure you specify all the model information.