Servicing Pumps

[User]

 

[John the Monkey]

I've replaced the washer in my SKS Rennkompressor, and a perished hose.

On that and others I use a tube of silicone grease that I got from Maplin to regrease the internals.

 

[Slioch]

When I bought a new pump recently I chose a Topeak one partly because you can buy spare parts.

With my old pump, I found that the occasional squirt of GT85 inside the barrel kept things ticking along ok. The reason I needed to replace the old pump was because the end of the hose was no longer able to lock on to the valve and kept "blowing off" at about 90psi. The internals still worked fine.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

My Blackburn has stopped sealing on the tube valve, any ideas?

You and @Slioch have the same problem.

The rubber that seals around the valve gets filed away by the thread on the valve stem. Each time you remove it, it grinds a little away until the hole is enlarged and no longer seals.

Some of those rubbers are generic, others proprietary. Ask you bike shop if they have spares. In future, attempt to buy only valves with smooth stems, then your pump valve head lasts forever.

 

[accountantpete]

My Blackburn has stopped sealing on the tube valve, any ideas?

If you can't get a replacement then most work by pressing the rubber down and it compresses in the only place it can - the hole where the valve goes in.

I place some thin plastic between the rubber bit and the lever that presses it so that the pressure is increased - you should get another year or so's use.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I posted recently about Joe Blow pump head washers - I object to having to buy a whole 'rebuild kit' when all I (and most people) need normally is the appropriate rubber washer. Apparently dealers can order them - 99p for 10 (+VAT??), to restock their Topeak pumps spares kits. Shame you and I can't order direct - I haven't found a supplier anyway, and the wholesaler didn't offer!
I've extended the life of mine by placing a fine O ring between the washer and the screw on cover - increases the pressure on the rubber - same principle as accountantpete's thin plastic.

 

[zacklaws]

What type of Blackburn is it? I had the airstick which was a two way action and found that sometimes one of the valves would come free and would need reseating. My first Blackburn it would not work properly and it got replaced under warranty as their guaranteed for life. I have since avoided Blackburn pumps as even my MTB one broke.

I service my pump on my bike reguarly as I find they can get water in, especcially when you have lost the protective caps, and always grease the seals with waterproof lithium grease