Working on a CAT pump in sub freezing temps...question...

[MDrost1]

Folks,

I need to replace some valves in a CAT 310 pump. The weather here in MI says it will get up to about 29 degrees.

What is a good temp to do work on a pump? I have to shut the water and weep system off. 15-20 minutes.

Thanks!

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I wouldn't back myself into that corner. Figure out how to bypass the pump and keep the weep active on that bay. Any time you put yourself in that position you run the risk of something going haywire, causing the weep to be off longer than you anticipated, causing a freeze-up.

Just curious, but why are you changing valves? They give virtually no trouble.

 

[MDrost1]

Thanks! I have pulsing on the HP rinse, wax and HP soap. An indicator that one or many of the valves need to be swapped.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Seldom is the problem the actual valve itself. If you pull them out and find one or more with a broken o-ring you will most likely have a groove washed out in the head to match it. If you find nothing wrong with the valves and related mating surfaces, pull the head and check the seals and their mating surfaces as well. If your pump has been pulsating very long the head is most likely washed out and any parts you install will be wasted.

If by chance you have wash-out in a valve bore, I have a band-aid fix that will buy you some time.

 

[MDrost1]

Ok. I'll check it out. So, I should just run my weep line right into the hose feeding the bay? I think I can do that. I'll check the valves, and start from there. What's your head fix?? : ). Thanks

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Take off the broken black o-ring and the white spacer ring. Then install two new black o-rings and leave out the white ring. I've done this a few times and had it last as long as a few months before the pulsation returns. Of course, the degree of wash-out will determine how effective my band-aid will be.

 

[MDrost1]

Thanks!

Found two valves without O rings or seals. Seems to work well, for now...

 

[BBE]

Thanks!

Found two valves without O rings or seals. Seems to work well, for now...

We've found that it's a good idea to keep a log book for each pump. Every time you work on it, ie. valve replacements, or replace the seals, write it down in the log book. Then next time the pump starts to pulsate again, you can see when and what the last thing you did to it was. Makes it easier to tell if you have a bigger problem.

Also you can send a washed out head in to be re-machined if you find that to be the case.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Thanks!

Found two valves without O rings or seals. Seems to work well, for now...

Was the head washed out?

 

[MEP001]

Look at the sticky at the top of this sub-forum. It tells how to identify a washed out manifold. Of course you'll know pretty quickly if the new o-rings you put in blow out in a couple of days. I've used the same band-aid fix to keep the pump working for longer until a new or reworked manifold can be gotten, just be sure you oil the o-rings very well or you'll end up cutting them when you reinstall the valve.

 

[mjwalsh]

MDrost1,

When it comes to installing any rubber o'rings ... we usually try to use a high quality silicone lubricant ... in the belief that it could make the rubber o'rings last longer. I like the way Cat appear to somewhat almost hermetically seal the o'rings so they are protected until they actually need to be used.

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com