How to Repair A Floor Jack That Won’t Hold Pressure
- Inspect the Lifting Capacity. First of all, you need to know that each jack has a limited lifting capacity. ...
- Check the Hydraulic Fluid Level. Be it a lower or higher fluid level, both extremes are bound to cause problems, as your lifting device won’t function properly.
- Bleed the system. As silly as it sounds, when a bit of air gets trapped inside your lifting device, it loses its lifting ability.
- Inspect the Release Valve. Okay, so you’ve checked the oil, capacity, bled the system, and your jack still won’t hold pressure?
- Perform Overall Inspection Once Again. And that leads us to the final step – overall checkup. ...
- Final Thoughts. Now that you know what to do when your floor jack doesn’t hold pressure, no more reasons to panic. ...
Full Answer
Why is the pressure on my floor jack not holding?
An old floor jack pressure relief valve may also be the cause of the tool not holding pressure. When the valve is broken, worn out, or just badly positioned, the pressure will automatically release from the oil reservoir. No matter how much you pump the jack, the pressure just won’t hold.
How to fix a hydraulic floor jack that won’t lift?
If the floor Jack’s oil level is higher than the optimum, you need to drain some of the oil. After rectifying this fault, then your Jack can build up enough pressure to lift any weight. From time to time, you should ensure that you examine your hydraulic floor jack to detect any dirt or even debris in the oil chamber.
What happens if you put too much oil in a Jack?
When there’s too much oil, the pressure builds up but doesn’t hold. This usually causes a leak. With so much pressure, the system automatically releases pressure, generally preventing the jack from holding it. In some cases, too much oil may cause permanent damage on rings and seals, demanding replacement eventually.
How does a hydraulic jack work?
To give you a clearer idea, the hydraulic jack works like a pump internally. The handle of the jack, for example, works as the pump. When you lift this handle, a pump plunger pushes the hydraulic oil into the cylinder via a discharge valve. When the cylinder starts to fill up with oil, it generates pressure.
How do you fix a floor jack that won't hold pressure?
How to Repair a Floor Jack that Won't Hold PressureCheck if the Jack Is Overloaded. ... Check for the right hydraulic oil levels. ... Expelling Trapped Air. ... Conduct a Final Overall Checkup. ... Maintenance and Servicing. ... Check the Jack's Release Valve.
How do you fix a hydraulic jack that won't stay up?
2:353:53HOW TO FIX A JACK THAT WON'T STAY UP - TRY THIS HACKYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd when you get to the top you just keep on going for about a half a dozen pumps no more and thenMoreAnd when you get to the top you just keep on going for about a half a dozen pumps no more and then you go ahead and try it on your truck. And you'll see that it will hold now.
What causes a floor jack to leak down?
One of the most common reasons for that is a low fluid level or there might be a leak somewhere. If hydraulic fluid can leak out, air can also get in. For that reason, you should implement the previous steps and inspect the jack for leaks and make sure the fluid level is correct. If the level is low, add some fluid.
How do you fix a weak floor jack?
0:423:37How to Fix a Hydraulic Jack that won't JACK - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically what you're gonna do is look on the top of the piston. Or the hydraulic cylinder.MoreBasically what you're gonna do is look on the top of the piston. Or the hydraulic cylinder.
How do you bleed air out of a floor jack?
0:551:32How to Bleed a Jack - Service jack - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne full turn to the open position lower the handle into the down position to expose the oil fillMoreOne full turn to the open position lower the handle into the down position to expose the oil fill plug locate.
How do you bleed air out of a hydraulic jack?
0:243:28How to Bleed a Vehicle Jack - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith the release valve still open pump the jack handle rapidly. Several times now slowly pinch theMoreWith the release valve still open pump the jack handle rapidly. Several times now slowly pinch the oil filter plug with a flat screwdriver. Be wary of oil spraying out when pinching the filler plug.
How do you add hydraulic fluid to a floor jack?
0:001:15How To Add Oil To A Floor Jack - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis. We'll use jack oil cut a tiny hole in your spout. Or poke a pin hole in the seal to make sureMoreThis. We'll use jack oil cut a tiny hole in your spout. Or poke a pin hole in the seal to make sure it comes out slowly drop your jack up in the high. Position.
What kind of fluid goes in a floor jack?
0:061:05Ask Jack Anything: What Hydraulic Fluids Should QuickJack Use?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGeneral purpose is Oh 32 is Oh 46 or is Oh 68 hydraulic oil will work approved ATF fluids includeMoreGeneral purpose is Oh 32 is Oh 46 or is Oh 68 hydraulic oil will work approved ATF fluids include Dexron three decks Ron six Merck on V Merck on lb. And any synthetic multi-vehicle ATF.
What can I use instead of jack oil?
Machine Oil or Lightweight motor oil with viscosity grades 10W, and 20W performs in the same way as the original jack oil. You can use it as a substitute. ATF or Automatic Transmission Fluid is another alternative to jack oil but its use is limited.
Why is my floor jack not lifting?
0:041:36Floor Jack For Your Car Wont Lift? Try These Easy Fixes! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt from put an option is going to bleed your system. Anything like man you're going to get a bigMoreIt from put an option is going to bleed your system. Anything like man you're going to get a big backlog of air coming out here. And you hitched it just a lot of fluid out tighten.
How do you service a floor jack?
1:293:19How to Maintain & Service your Hydraulic Trolley Jack and Garage ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse it is recommended to periodically grease the wheels. And lifting arm pivot via the fitted greaseMoreUse it is recommended to periodically grease the wheels. And lifting arm pivot via the fitted grease nipple when wiping away residue the jack should be wiped clean with a soft cloth.
How do you rebuild a floor jack?
9:4741:02HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK REBUILD - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then you look in here I cleaned all that up I don't think there's any old rings ready to go inMoreAnd then you look in here I cleaned all that up I don't think there's any old rings ready to go in there that's just the two holes on the one on the right one on the left.
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.
About The Author
I have been working as a Mechanic for the last 20 years. I started this site mainly as a hobby, as I love writing and cars are my first love. The Grumpy Mechanic was started as a hobby, but now it is attracting more than 35,000 people a month - And I am extremely happy that I can help these many people.
Why does my hydraulic jack not hold pressure?
That’s why it is common to find hydraulic jacks holding no pressure. They just can’t hold as much weight, so the whole system fails to build the pressure up. In some cases, the jack may lift the vehicle a little. But at one point, it succumbs to the weight by releasing the pressure forcefully.
What is a floor jack?
Before we go any further, it is crucial to understand what a floor jack is in the first place. Obviously, it is a device to lift vehicles. But how is a floor jack different from other tools to lift cars. Well, there are three types of floor jacks to consider.
How does a hydraulic jack work?
When you lift this handle, a pump plunger pushes the hydraulic oil into the cylinder via a discharge valve. When the cylinder starts to fill up with oil, it generates pressure.
What are the different types of floor jacks?
Well, there are three types of floor jacks to consider. You can find the mechanical floor jack and the hydraulic floor jack, the two most popular. There’s also the pneumatic jack, which is less popular but still worth mentioning. Below is a little more about each:
Why does my jack release pressure?
The release valve may be releasing too much pressure when you’re lifting. This may happen because there’s too much fluid on the jack, so it releases pressure automatically. But in most cases, it happens that the release valve is broken or faulty. Either way, it is generally safe to take it off and check it.
What is a mechanical jack?
Mechanical. Instead of using a liquid that gets tougher with pressure, mechanical jacks use a typical lifting mechanism made with high-quality materials. The focus is to lift the weight by operating the tool manually. These floor jacks, however, don’t use pressure.
What is jacking oil?
Some people also call it jacking oil. Either way, this liquid has a unique composition that increases the tool’s strength when some pressure is applied. The more pressure is applied to the liquid, the more strength you get from the jack.
Inspect the Lifting Capacity
First of all, you need to know that each jack has a limited lifting capacity. You cannot go beyond it and try to lift something that exceeds the device’s potential.
Check the Hydraulic Fluid Level
Be it a lower or higher fluid level, both extremes are bound to cause problems, as your lifting device won’t function properly.
Bleed the system
As silly as it sounds, when a bit of air gets trapped inside your lifting device, it loses its lifting ability. When it happens, you’ll need to bleed the system to remove any air bubbles left.
Inspect the Release Valve
Okay, so you’ve checked the oil, capacity, bled the system, and your jack still won’t hold pressure?
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what to do when your floor jack doesn’t hold pressure, no more reasons to panic. Just go step by step, and you’ll find what’s wrong.
Inspect the Lifting Capacity
In order to know that how to repair a floor jack that won’t hold pressure, the first thing that needs to be discussed is that each jack has a predetermined lifting capacity. This is the maximum height that you are able to lift something at with your jack, but it can’t exceed this limit.
Check the Hydraulic Fluid Level
When it comes to floor jacks, car enthusiasts need to be especially careful when it comes to the hydraulic fluid level. Both extremes can cause problems: if the fluid level is too high, the jack won’t function properly, and if the level is too low, the maximum height will be significantly lower.
Bleed the system
Don’t let a small leak ruin your day! Follow these 3 quick steps to bleed the system for the car floor jack.
Inspect the Tightness of Release Valve
It is important to know that the jack will not hold pressure if there are any leaks or damage in it. You should always make sure your release valve and handle pump correctly for it works efficiently, but also check tightness before using as well since this could be an indication of something wrong with either one (leaking).
Maintenance and Servicing
A floor jack is essential for any vehicle. The floor jack is important because it enables users to lift or move cars with ease.
Perform an Overall Checkup on your Vehicle
Car owners should perform an overall checkup on their floor jack before using it for a job.
FAQs
If a hydraulic floor jack is not operating properly, it can be repaired quite easily with basic tools.
How to Fix the Problem
Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and repair a floor jack that won’t hold pressure:
Conclusion
The easiest way to prevent malfunctions and potential problems is regular maintenance of your floor jack. Keep your jack clean and dry as much as possible and maintain it at regular intervals. When not sure of an issue, consult a repair shop.
What happens if a floor jack is not working?
If the device has to work beyond that, it can not hold pressure as well as usual. As a result, it will lose control and make the vehicle fall down.
Should I inspect my floor jack?
Of course, you should inspect and maintain your floor jack usually . Don’t wait until it fails to hold pressure then start working on the problem. If you tend to your floor jack regularly, it will definitely be your trustable partner for a long time!
Hydraulic Floor Jack Repair Instructions: Step by Step Process
Here are some instructions concerning repairing a floor jack that can’t hold pressure.
Conclusion
By now, you have that “how to repair a floor jack that won’t hold pressure”. A simple task that is doable by following all the above-mentioned procedures.
