A floor jack that can’t hold pressure is risky to use. If you lift your car with it, it can easily crush it and incur huge expenses.
However, when the jack is not holding enough pressure, it can still be fixed.
In this article, we will walk you through a detailed guide on how to inspect and fix problems of a Jack that won’t any pressure.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How To Repair A Floor Jack
To repair a floor jack, first identify the problem, such as a leak in the hydraulic system or a faulty release valve. Obtain the necessary replacement parts and follow the repair instructions in the owner’s manual or a repair guide. It is often best to take the jack to a professional mechanic if you are not comfortable or experienced with such repairs.
Detailed Guide To Repair A Floor Jack That Won’t Hold Pressure
1. First Check The Lifting Capacity
You need to understand that a floor jack work up to a certain lift capacity. When you load it beyond the maximum weight capacity, the floor jack won’t hold pressure as intended. And worst of it all, you might crash your vehicle or the load that you are lifting.
So, before you think about repairing the floor jack, first check it’s lifting capacity if the jack doesn’t capacity to lift a certain load or vehicle.
Most floor jacks have a safety overload feature that prevents it from working when overloaded.
So, check the lifting capacity and compare it with the weight of your vehicle or the load you wish to lift. Exceeding the jack capacity it get stressed and can’t hold the pressure exerted by the load.
In short, if you have a floor jack that’s not holding pressure, first check if you are lifting a heavy load that can’t be held by the jack.
Sometimes you will think that your floor jack is defective when you are the problem. And all you need to do is load the right amount of load to this jack.
2. Check The Hydraulic Oil Levels
Oil levels should be within it’s set levels – not lower or higher. If it’s not within the recommended limit the floor jack will fail to function as required.
Wrong oil level will lower the Jack’s capacity and as a result, it won’t hold the pressure you need to.
You can check the levels by first removing the Jack’s oil level and take off the fill plug and look into the chamber and see.
The recommended maximum level should be up to the quarter over the reservoir. The minimum level should be about 3/16 of the oil reservoir.
And as you fill the floor jack, ensure you get high-quality oil to get a perfect performance.
Different oils have different viscosity for a unique performance. You have to also understand that the oils come in different chemical composition and acidity levels. Some of the oils could tear up, swell, or degrade your floor jack quality.
And this is why you can’t afford to buy just any oil and use it over your floor jack.
Renewable Lubricants Bio-Bottle Floor Jack Hydraulic Oil is the best oil you will find in the market for the floor jack. Click here to check the latest price and buy it now.
3. Remove Trapped Air
When there is air trapped inside the floor jack, it will compromise on its capacity to hold pressure. And if this is the case, you need to bleed the floor jack.
You can easily do this by placing the unit’s valve in anticlockwise position of the handle. Then remove the Jack’s oil fill screw and return it to its position.
Mostly the air trapped in your floor jack passes in the oil reservoir when there is no enough oil.
So, after removing the trapped air, check the level of your oil. If it’s low, refill it to the recommended level we have discussed above.
This will ensure that there air getting trapped inside the hydraulic system.
Again, as we mentioned, different oils come with various components. Some oil will degrade your floor jack and allow air to pass through it and get trapped in the system.
This is why you can’t afford to buy just any hydraulic fluid from the market.
Renewable Lubricants Bio-Bottle Floor Jack Hydraulic Oil is by far the best oil you will find in the market. It will give you great performance.
4. Inspect The Tightness Of The Release Valve
If your jack is correctly pumping and its saddles are positioned properly but the jack isn’t going up, you need to have a look at the valve’s tightness.
Check whether the valve is tight. If not, tighten it.
When the valve is not tight, it can’t hold any pressure within it. It releases it even as you pump is.
5. Overall Checkup
After fixing any problem that was on your floor jack, the next thing should to have a last overall checkup. Inspect the entire floor jack and see if you have fixed all the issues.
Check the valves, oil, and every part of the jack.
Ensure everything is working correctly and as intended. Check the jack’s ram by turning it on sides. Observe it with both extended and retracted positions.
6. Regular Maintenance
Just like any other equipment, don’t wait until your floor jack fails to work on it. Regular maintenance ensures that the floor jack is kept in the right condition at all times.
Apply a premium lubricating oil to its movable parts. Check the oil levels and fill them.
Lubricating is the most crucial part of maintaining a floor jack. And with a premium and quality oil, your jack remains functioning normally and as required.
Lubrication also prevents corrosion and prevents any future breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you service a hydraulic floor jack?
You can service a hydraulic floor jack by cleaning the exterior, lubricating moving parts, checking for leaks, and replenishing hydraulic fluid if necessary. Regular maintenance ensures the jack operates safely and efficiently.
How do you fix a hydraulic floor jack that won’t go down?
First, ensure the release valve is open by turning the handle counterclockwise. If that doesn’t work, inspect for debris or damage in the hydraulic system, check the hydraulic fluid level, and bleed any trapped air. If the issue persists, consider seeking professional help.
What causes a floor jack to fail?
Floor jack failure can be caused by several factors, including low or contaminated hydraulic fluid, air trapped in the hydraulic system, worn or damaged seals, or mechanical damage to the jack’s components. Regular maintenance and inspection can help prevent failures and ensure safe operation.
Parting Shot
When your floor jack is not holding enough pressure is a sign there is a problem in the jack system. To be on the safe side, you need to inspect and fix the problem.
With the above procedures, you don’t need to take your jack to a mechanic. You can still fix it on your own.
