Pump Oil Changes

[MeridianCarWash]

Just curious about how often folks are doing oil changes? I'm running Giant pumps (318's and a 420) and would prefer to do preventative maintenance as opposed to R/R. My local service guys are recommending that I swap them out for Cat pumps as they fail, but I'm kinda partial to the red and don't necessarily think that the Giants are junk just yet. (My Rowe changers, now that's another story!) Also, they recommended non-detergent 30W oil, but I saw that Giant sells their oil in 80/90W. Any opinions from others running Giants?

 

[MEP001]

The Giant 318 should have 30W non-detergent. The 420 calls for 80W-90.

The Giant 318 is a real POS compared to a Cat 5CP. If you aren't wearing out the 318's on a regular basis, you aren't doing enough business.

 

[MeridianCarWash]

Thanks! I've owned the wash for just 2 weeks, so I appreciate the help. Maybe I will be replacing them as they die off after all. Thanks for giving me the equivalent Cat!

 

[twodopeshaggy]

There are alot of mixed feelings about cat pumps. Personally I'm fond of them. They seem to run well in our setups. I would suggest setting up some drain lines to make it easier to change out oil. While alot of people tend to run them until they die... I find they make far less noise and tend to last a fair bit longer when you swap the oil out every 6-8 months. Its a zero pressure thing and not to costly. This is for cat pumps naturally, any others and advice may vary.

There are a few tricks and such you learn over time in terms of maintenance of pumps. Feel free hit me up if you go with cat pumps.

 

[water guy]

The Giant 318 should have 30W non-detergent. The 420 calls for 80W-90.

The Giant 318 is a real POS compared to a Cat 5CP. If you aren't wearing out the 318's on a regular basis, you aren't doing enough business.

Hell Yeah!!

 

[water guy]

There are alot of mixed feelings about cat pumps. Personally I'm fond of them. They seem to run well in our setups. I would suggest setting up some drain lines to make it easier to change out oil. While alot of people tend to run them until they die... I find they make far less noise and tend to last a fair bit longer when you swap the oil out every 6-8 months. Its a zero pressure thing and not to costly. This is for cat pumps naturally, any others and advice may vary.

There are a few tricks and such you learn over time in terms of maintenance of pumps. Feel free hit me up if you go with cat pumps.

Are you a Salesman?

 

[twodopeshaggy]

Are you a Salesman?

I'm unsure how to take this lol. I just work at a few washes and like what I do.

 

[Greg Pack]

I never change the oil. I know I should, but I don't. Cat recommends it for a reason. Well, I will change it if it's milky, but that is a rare occurrence. I'm just starting to replace some pumps that are twenty years old that haven't had their oil changed more than once or twice over their life..

I also don't floss every day.

 

[Greg Pack]

I'm unsure how to take this lol. I just work at a few washes and like what I do.

Sorry, you just seemed too damn friendly and helpful to us cynical operators around here. We assumed you were about to try and sell us something.

 

[MEP001]

Sorry, you just seemed too damn friendly and helpful to us cynical operators around here. We assumed you were about to try and sell us something.

He's probably young, don't worry, he'll learn to be cynical if he stays in this business.

 

[mac]

People have a misconception about the. Because the pumps never get that hot, compared to an auto engine, and the is no combustion to contaminate the oil. it can last many years. Cat just wants toy to buy their $8 per quart synthetic oil.

 

[MEP001]

Genuine Cat oil is ISO 68 hydraulic oil, not synthetic, in a 21 oz. bottle. I buy it at Tractor Supply for about a third the cost per unit of the 2.5 gallon Cat oil. The oil does get contaminated with aluminum off the connecting rods and moisture in the air. I change the oil every few years when I think about it.

 

[Rfreeman]

The pumps have oil.....?????

I'm with Greg on this one, albeit I know I should do better and change the oil on them.......

 

[MEP001]

The pumps have oil.....?????

That just means you have no experience with General pumps.

 

[soapy]

I took Pats advise and switched over to Arimitsu pumps from Cat pumps. The Arimitsu pumps run much quieter and I have had not problems with them. The Cat pump parts are way too expensive IMO. I could never get the cat pumps to run very long after a rebuild compared to when they are new.

 

[David Rolf]

I have to say this thread is enlightening. And to think I've been changing mine every 4 months. You guys have made me very happy. I have 4 Cat 310 pumps going on 26 years of non-stop service and think they would run fine without any oil. Thanks

 

[MEP001]

They definitely won't run long without oil, or with water in the oil.

 

[David Rolf]

They definitely won't run long without oil, or with water in the oil.

Yah that was the smart-ass side of me MEP. I've had great luck show far.. Knock on wood...

 

[Greg Pack]

They definitely won't run long without oil, or with water in the oil.

Last year I was at one wash and noticed a pump was noisy like a bearing was going out. Upon further inspection of the pump discovered it had slung a rod out the back of the case and all the oil had leaked out. Pressure in the bay was fine though.

 

[mac]

I have ran across washes where the owner said he had not changed the oil in 30 years. Just looks at the sight window to check color and level.