When Is It Time to Repair Your Hydraulic Pump? Key Indicators Explained

The hydraulic pump is essential for your equipment to work correctly. Even though you perform routine maintenance as instructed, there are times you will need to have it repaired.

How will you know when you need to have your hydraulic pump repaired?

First, during routine maintenance, you want to watch for any signs that the pump is starting to fail.

Below we have listed the most important signs that your hydraulic pump needs repairing. If you see these signs, you must get your hydraulic pump repaired quickly. You have a lot of money invested in your machines. You want to keep them working correctly.

Is Your Hydraulic Pump Making Unusual Sounds?

Hydraulic pumps should work quietly. If you hear abnormal noises, it could be a sign of aeration or cavitation. Both of these causes damage to the system and can lead to the entire pump needing to be replaced.

Aeration occurs when there are leaks through the seals or fittings. Air leaks in these areas are common and cause the air to mix with the hydraulic system, damaging the system. Aeration causes a louder, more pronounced sound than cavitation. The noise associated with aeration is banging and can sound like rocks tumbling around.

Cavitation forms when there are gas bubbles in the Hydraulic pump system, and they pop due to pressure. The popping causes a quick surge of air, changing the pressure abruptly. Cavitation damages the pipes because of the extremely high temperatures. Cavitation usually makes a whining or rattling sound. If you hear either of these sounds, have a qualified repairman come out to look at it.

Are There Any Interior or Exterior Leaks?

Internal leaks are much more difficult to find than external leaks. There is no visible sign when there is leaking inside the machine. Instead, you have to use flow meters and test different parts of the machine.

Look for signs such as decreased performance and pressure drops. If you notice either of these signs, inspect the machine immediately. If you do find an internal leak in your hydraulic pump, then call a licensed maintenance specialist. If the leak does not get fixed, it can lead to the entire system needing replacing.

External leaks are much easier to detect. The fluid leaks on the outside of the machine, making them easy to see. You may want to buy hydraulic oil that is not the same color as other fluids, so it is easier to detect. Your employees must report any hydraulic leaks immediately. Once aware of the leak, you need to find where it is. You can do this by cleaning the pump and watching for the leak.

When an external leak occurs, it can cause problems such as wasted fluid, environmental issues, strain on parts, and work-related injuries. These leaks are usually a simple fix for a qualified industrial hydraulic repair technician.

Is There Evidence of Water Contamination?

Water contamination is the most common contaminant. It typically occurs when there is a buildup of condensation from hot and cold changes in the temperature. If the hydraulic system sets for long periods, it can cause a buildup too.

Contamination from water is simple to spot because of the hydraulic fluid. The water and the fluid separates, and the hydraulic fluid will be noticeably different in color.

Water can harm the hydraulic system in many different ways. One way is it can erode the pump, causing rust. It can also cause bacteria to grow in the oil, making the pump slimy and have a musty odor. These are both signs of water contamination and lets you know you need to contact someone to fix the issue.

Is Your Pump Running Slower Than Normal?

A change in your Hydraulic system’s performance is one of the first indications you need to have a technician come out to look at it. You will notice your machine working slower, and there will be a decline in the machine’s performance.

The change of performance can be due to any of the factors listed above. If there is an external or internal leak, there will be a loss of pressure, causing the hydraulic system to slow. Additional reasons for the lower performance could be that a pressure compensator fault or the system relief is incorrect. If either of these issues is the reason for the bogged-down hydraulic system, they are simple to fix.

If it is the pressure compensator, make sure it is not set too low and if it is, adjust the setting. If the system relief is not correct, adjust the valve or discover it is leaking, then replace it.

Summary

If you want to keep your hydraulic system up and running for many years, it is essential to perform proper maintenance. If you discover an issue, have it taken care of by a professional hydraulic system repair company. And train your employees how to detect these common signs too.

Servo Kinetics in Ann Arbor Michigan has more than 45 years of experience in industrial hydraulic repair services. We promise you the highest quality hydraulic repairs at the lowest possible cost and fast turn-around. Our hydraulic repair services include Vickers classic factory rebuilds, Beach Russ repair, reverse engineering services and much more including new pumps and motors. Call us to learn more about our hydraulic repair services and ask about our Special Offers!