Engine Hoist slowly drops when handle is left in

[HoosierBuddy]

Guys,

I don't know if this is just my engine hoist or is common, but I wanted to pass this on in case it helps someone else.

I bought a relatively inexpensive engine hoist. It's one of those with an 8 ton ram and an adjustable boom where the boom has 3 different lengths you can pin it to, and the further out it goes it derates the weight.

I was using it last night to lift up a 5.0 engine/AOD transmission just enough to help me get the motor mounts moved over 1/4 hole so I could get the bolts in. Well...the hoist was slowly dropping the engine back down faster than I could get under the car and get the bolts lined up and it was driving me crazy.

Long story short, I finally figured out the jack handle was holding the operating piston on the pump down a hair and that (for some reason) allows oil to escape the cylinder and allow the hoist to lower. All I had to do to get the thing to stop was take the jack handle off the pump so the operating lever was allowed to go all the way up...and that fixed the issue.

I'm not talking about a little creep here either. It was dropping about an inch every 30 seconds.

Anyway...maybe this is "common knowledge", but I had no idea. From now on I'll always take the handle off after I finish jacking the engine hoist as high as I need to.

Phil

 

[The Cobbler]

sort of sounds like a bad check valve

 

[kbs2244]

The weight of the handle is cracking the valve open.
Just take the handle out so the valve says closed.

 

[blk00ss]

I can’t wnvision what’s going on exactly. Most jacks lower by twisting the handle counter clockwise to release pressure. Or by taking the handle out and inserting the end of the handle onto a ****** and twisting it counter clockwise to lower as well.

 

[Kev442]

Mine just started doing this out of the blue with the handle removed. I will make sure it is in the up position before removing the handle and see what happens.
Otherwise it is time to pop the red "do not futz with this" cap off and start futzing.

 

[jumbo61]

Take it back to where you bought it or replace the ram. I had one leak down while lifting and used one of these HF.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-ton-super-heavy-duty-long-ram-hydraulic-round-bottom-jack-36397.html

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Take it back to where you bought it or replace the ram. I had one leak down while lifting and used one of these HF.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-ton-super-heavy-duty-long-ram-hydraulic-round-bottom-jack-36397.html

If it gets any worse that's my next move Jumbo.

I was thinking about maybe getting one of the air hydraulic ones instead though. Seems like that might be the cat's meow?

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-ton-long-ram-air-hydraulic-jack-94562.html

 

[jumbo61]

I could use one of those. I usually work alone.