Bottle Jack Leaking

[TimDavis]

Hey Guys,

First post on the GJ - been on the JJ for years...

I have a 20 Ton Jack - of unknown origin or age. I've had it around 10 years or so. I used it the other day, and afterwards I noticed it was sitting in a pool of fluid. I wiped it all down, and watched, and it is leaking around the outer perimeter of the stamped steel canister - the resovior I guess - and the cast base. From what I understand, this is not a pressure bearing seal area.

I searched online for a bit trying to find a good exploded view, with not much luck. I'm looking for some info on how that comes apart - Does the outer body (4" diameter) thread into the cast base? Is it pinched down by the large nut around the ram at the top?

Thanks in advance -

 

[billymade]

You might want to post a pic of it and our jack expert, Hiball might be able to id it for you!

 

[krusty the clown]

i once had a bottle of jack leaking........

 

[J.A.F.E.]

i once had a bottle of jack leaking........

I suspect that leak is designed in.

 

[Uncle Buck]

i once had a bottle of jack leaking........

I bet I know how you solved that problem too!

 

[Hiball]

I have a 20 Ton Jack - of unknown origin or age. I've had it around 10 years or so. I used it the other day, and afterwards I noticed it was sitting in a pool of fluid. I wiped it all down, and watched, and it is leaking around the outer perimeter of the stamped steel canister - the resovior I guess - and the cast base. From what I understand, this is not a pressure bearing seal area. -

Extremely rare for jack to start leaking around the base of the resevoir just because it was used, especially if it sat for years and didnt leak any. Now ive seen oil from the top that bypassed the main ram (account it was bad) or even the fill plug trickle down and make it appear that the resevoir was leaking but normally if the resevoir seal is compromised it will be dry in days if not sooner. Picture? some of the older bottle jacks, mainly Hein werner required that the fill plug be vented or cracked open to prevent a air lock sitsuation that would actually spew oil around the top nut and fill plug but normally not the bottom. But then gravity takes effect....

I searched online for a bit trying to find a good exploded view, with not much luck. I'm looking for some info on how that comes apart - Does the outer body (4" diameter) thread into the cast base? Is it pinched down by the large nut around the ram at the top?

Thanks in advance -

The resevoir is held in place by the tank nut (large nut around the ram at the top) If it is actually leaking you will have to tighten that nut, and probably should actually take it apart and verify if it has a Oring, or a gasket or if its metal to metal. Most are metal to metal and in that case i clean them up and use a little thin layer of ultra black gasket, I mean Thin.... dont run a 1/4 inch bead around the perimiter sealing all your intake and exit holes.Im curious to your reference of the 4" diameter, A 20 ton jack resevoir should be 6 to 8 inches depending on model, stubby or average. A picture of the jack focusing on the pump, release and even a overhead would greatly increase my chances of identifying your jack for you and possibly your problem. Hope this helps

 

[walrus]

i once had a bottle of jack leaking........

I'll bet none of the leakage hit the ground until a few hours later

 

[TimDavis]

Extremely rare for jack to start leaking around the base of the resevoir just because it was used, especially if it sat for years and didnt leak any. Now ive seen oil from the top that bypassed the main ram (account it was bad) or even the fill plug trickle down and make it appear that the resevoir was leaking but normally if the resevoir seal is compromised it will be dry in days if not sooner. Picture? some of the older bottle jacks, mainly Hein werner required that the fill plug be vented or cracked open to prevent a air lock sitsuation that would actually spew oil around the top nut and fill plug but normally not the bottom. But then gravity takes effect....



The resevoir is held in place by the tank nut (large nut around the ram at the top) If it is actually leaking you will have to tighten that nut, and probably should actually take it apart and verify if it has a Oring, or a gasket or if its metal to metal. Most are metal to metal and in that case i clean them up and use a little thin layer of ultra black gasket, I mean Thin.... dont run a 1/4 inch bead around the perimiter sealing all your intake and exit holes.Im curious to your reference of the 4" diameter, A 20 ton jack resevoir should be 6 to 8 inches depending on model, stubby or average. A picture of the jack focusing on the pump, release and even a overhead would greatly increase my chances of identifying your jack for you and possibly your problem. Hope this helps

Hiball-

I finally got around to this repair over the weekend - you are right, the jack was more like 6" in diameter. I took the top nut off, pulled the reservoir up, and it had a flat rubber gasket in the channel - It was split in one spot, almost like the top nut had been overtightened? At any rate, I went to my local hydraulic supply and they had the gasket in stock - $0.86 out the door - I wiped a little RTV on both sides of the new one, reassembled and refilled. Good as new.

Thanks!