casing leak in a hydro. elev

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I am told there is aleak in the casing of my 4 stops hydaulic elev.A pressure test was done with a manual pump,which i believe was faked ,since all screws at head's gascket were found to be loose after the test was done.the elev runs well.I am told I nedd a new casing 37.5 feet(a jack job). how can i be sure ofthe accuracy of this diagnisis? How risky is it to continue running the unit if that is the truth,a leak exists? what should i do? I beleive avalve adjustment is all what is needed!

-- MANNY BAHNA (MSBAHNAMD@AOL.com), November 17, 1999

Answers

re- casing leak.

If your loosing fluids and cannot account for the amount being added back in the tank, then could be loosing oil into the soil through your casing,which probably doesn't have a liner. Is pit can overflowing, then you might be very lucky.New seals might solve it But, We once did presure test three times, all passed. Even put in a new jack assembly but still lost oil. We were looking to do it again,when I had a call to add oil, I removed all the covers from around the tank and pump and found that a non -pressure hose from the tank had a loose flexible hose clamp, Oil was leaking into cracks in the concrete that ran for 30-40 feet beyond the machine room. I tightened the clamp on a hunch! Three years ago...not a drop lost...:) Have a good day!

-- Larry Horton (llhorton@pacifier.com), November 19, 1999.

The best way to check for a leak is as follows:

1) Allow temperature of oil to stabilize; check with thermometer in tank untill it is stable (doesn't change).

2) Position car a foot or so above a landing and mark position by drawing a line on toe guard with felt tip pen drawn across sill. CAREFULLY measure level of oil in tank (to accuracy of 1/16") and record the information.Empty pit can.

3) Leave car overnite, check the next morning. If car has moved down and level of oil in tank has not risen correspondingly and there is no visible leak in pit can or elsewhere, you have an underground leak. Shut car down until cylinder can be replaced. A "liner" is NOT a satisfactory fix! Amount of oil involved from measured movement can be calculated to compare with tank measurement.

-- John Brannon (akaelevman@AOL.com), November 23, 1999.


"PVC Linears"

Pvc Liners are required for all Hydro's that have an Jack hole. This prevents A casing thats leaking from contaminating the soil around the building, which is fined by many federal and state Enviromental Protection Agency's up to $125,000 dollars or the cost of removing the contaminated soil. I never intended it to be read as a solution to a very serious condition. Never the less the other writers are right on how to find the leak/leaks.

-- Larry Horton (llhorton@pacifier.com), November 27, 1999.

PVC linear

I thought wrapping the jack was one of the options in ANSI code. Is it manditory to use a PVC Linear? If you use a PVC linear what do you fill the air space between the PVC and the jack cylinder with? Do you have to fill this space with anything? If I use sand should I also wrap the jack? I know you can use Union gaurd but this is very expensive to use and ship. If using PVC does the ANSI code say you must use montioring?

-- Don Pfuntner (brandon1@frontiernet.net), November 27, 1999.

PVC LINERS

THE PVC LINERS ARE USED TO STOP ELECTROLISES . THE WAY I USE TO TEST FOR LEAKS IS INSTALL VALVE IN THE PIT ,LET CAR SEATTLE FOR 1 HOUR THEN MARK CAR AT TOP LANDING. HAVE PIT CLEAN AND MEASURE OIL LEVEL IN TANK . COME BACK IN 24 HOURS AND SEE WHAT YOU GOT.

-- RICHARD GALLAHORN (the4gals@home.com), March 22, 2001.


In my prior response, I failed to address the possibility of a leak in UNDERGROUND piping.

If the previously described procedure shows an underground leak, and underground (i.e. buried) piping is used, this is where a pressure test is useful to determine if the leak is in the cylinder or the piping. (Disconnect the pipe line from the cylinder, block the power unit end and pressurize the line to determine if the leak is there).

The usual fix is to run a new above ground pipe line. After this is done, repeat the leak down test to be sure the leak was confined to the piping.

-- John Brannon (akaelevman@AOL.com), November 28, 1999.


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