Pump gumming up, what to do?

[okikiter]

I have had several new pumps start to gum up along the aluminum shaft. Looks as though the dust ring that slides up and down with the handle is rubbing off on the shaft and siezing up. Any recommendations as to a fix or perventive action to keep this from happening? I figured sliicone grease or spray would help but I think it's too late for that now. What to do?
Thanks,
Mike
Okinawa Japan

[Dj A-Ron]

take the pump apart and clean it up the best you can. I let somone borrow a pump once and got it back all "gumed up" like your talking about. I use a citrus type cleaner, like goo gone on it to get it cleaned up. after you get it all nice and clean, use a thin layer of vasaline all over the shaft and your rubber parts inside the pump. the vasaline will end up turning into a black looking grease after awhile but will still work fine. i clean mine up every 5-10 sessions and re-vasaline it. its the best thing i found that will last awhile. dont use a regular grease it will make the rubber parts swell and deform. spray lube like wd40 works but doesn't last very long maybe 1-2 sessions.

[OzBungy]

If it's a Cabrinha pump take it back and get a warranty replacement. A batch of pumps came out with crap seals on them.

[AndrewJMcGee]

I figured out why it happens. The seal on the pump melts!!! The metal shaft heats up, due to friction and melts the rubber. I cleaned mine with WD 40. Pump up a little slower, or get an electric pump

[wondamic]

I clean mine about 2-3 months. Like people have said, take it apart and clean it out real good. I use furniture polish that comes in a spray can. I don't get any weird build up from it and it lasts a very long time.

Andrew is spot on...the rubber does heat up and wear down quick. If you find that pulling up or pushing down is easier than the other, you may be too late. Don't get me wrong, the pump will still work, but you may have lost some efficiency.

[FL Kiteboarder]

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I would not use WD40 as some have found it can possibly melt certain plastics in a pump.

However, I have heard good things about Silicone Grease being used.

I use Sailkote spray (not Sailkote plus) on a clean shaft.
$10.00 USD for a small can at your local West Marine or similar shop.
Sailkote is a dry-lubricant that dries in like 30 seconds - sand does not stick to it.

Even steadily pumping up a 16m XBOW is a sure way to get that O-Ring to melt
on an aluminum pump shaft.

Anyone know where we can order replacement O-Rings that have melted under use?

Seems most pumps use the same size O-Ring.


Marc

[kiteingcolin1]

dont use wd 40 , Vaseline or any petroleum based product, it melts the rubber bits over time, within a few months or sooner, thats the black you can see on the shaft and on your hands, and any sort of spray is going to hold little grains of grit and sand.
I dont use metal shaft pumps any more, they all seem to be sticky and much harder to push than the plastic shafts, try a plastic one when you get the chance, the old flexifoil ones that I threw up into the loft years ago are ruddy brilliant, just got to be more gentle on the downstroke.

[jwoodunlv]

Wet a paper towel with olive oil and stroke the shaft (quit laughing). It works really well. You will have to re-apply it once every 10-15 sessions but it works like a charm.

[Fry]

I use 3-in-1 silicone spray lube and so far the pump still feels new. Next new pump you get, dont wait til it gets hard protect that shit long before.

[s1buell_wl]

I use 3-in-1 silicone spray lube and so far the pump still feels new. Next new pump you get, dont wait til it gets hard protect that shit long before.

I did the same this s@#$ is what you need. spray it on wipe it down and forget about your pump gumming up. You can get it at and automotive section in the major places. Its not the white lube it's the clear silicone lube.

You can even feel the change of pressure when pumping your kite up after using this.