I took my engine hoist apart and laid it in the back of my pickup to go pick up a flathead. I didn't need it when I got where I was going, but when I put it back together at home, it would not lift itself. There is absolutely no resistance when I pump the jack. Fluid level seems to be fine. If I lift the boom by hand several times it will stay up, when I release it, it seems to bounce down. It has set for about a year since I last used it, but I think it was working before I put it in the truck. Any suggestions?
the hydraulic ram on my hoist does the same if i lay it on it's side for any period of time , i always make sure i store it standing straight up. it kinda acts like there is air in it , like a brake line that needs bleeding. what i have done is open the the screw on the bottom of the ram and pump the handle a bunch of times...that seams to help
I was kind of thinking it has air in it, just can't figure how to get it out. I will try leaving the release open and pumping it a bunch. I tried it with it closed but that didn't seem to work.
I had that trouble with mine too. I was going to buy a jack cylinder for mine when I got on the Harbor Freight site to check out the different cylinders. At the bottom of the ad it has a note that says download product manual, I think that is what it says. You will figure it out. Anyway it tells how to bleed the air out of the cylinder. It fixed mine. I also downloaded a manual for a floor jack and fixed one that has been setting around for a couple of years.
cabriolethiboy Thanks for reminding me about that website. That is the hoist I have, those same instructions for bleeding the air are stickered on the jack. Maybe I'm not holding my tongue right. I will try again tonight. Thanks, Joey
It's ALIVE! After pumping it about 500 times, both with the valve open and closed, it started moving. After a few times up and down it seems to be working good again. Thanks folks.
The Jalopy Journal
