Troubleshooting for Pump Problems

APPLICABLE TO Ryobi 2800, 3200, 3302, Itek 960, 975, 985, 3985; AB Dick 9985

The air/vacuum pumps on Ryobi-made duplicators will begin to suffer from reduced performance if not properly maintained. This can lead to serious wear of the pump if allowed to continue. Here are a few steps that will help to improve the performance and extend the life of your pump.

1. Keep the filters clean. Filters should be cleaned monthly. Simply wiping off the loose debris may be sufficient. Never use water to clean a filter. Filters should be replaced if the stitching begins to open up.

2. Keep the oil cup air hole clear. There is a small (about 1mm) hole in the hexagonal union between the oil cup and the pump. When it gets clogged it prevents oil from being drawn into the pump automatically. Clean it with a paper clip. Newer presses have a little filter over the hole that may be rotated to a clean spot. Refill the oil cup with 10W non-detergent oil if it gets below half full.

3. Be sure the pump belt is tight and in good condition.

4. If the automatic oiler is not sufficient (it’s usually not) the pump may need extra oil. The quick way to do this is to remove the upper filter jar and filter, turn on the pump and squirt oil into the intake hole at the base of the filter mounting screw. WD-40 may be applied first but should always be followed by a few squirts of oil (WD-40 is not a lubricant). I usually squirt a few pumps from the oil can until the pump noise changes to a more muffled sound. CAUTION: Don’t use too much oil or the excess will find its way through the pump tubing and on to the paper on the pile.

For a more thorough pump flush:

1. Remove the plastic tubing from the lower side of the vacuum valve (on non-operator side) and insert the tube in a quart of press solvent mixed with about 10% oil.

2. Remove both air filters and reinstall the empty jars.

3. Disconnect the pump exhaust tube at its upper end and insert it into an empty 1 gallon container loosely filled with rags (the exhaust tube is the one leading from the lower filter jar to the valves on the side of the feeder).

4. Turn on the pump switch. The solvent and oil solution will be quickly sucked through the pump and blown out into the gallon jug. Turn off pump.

5. Empty the filter jars and reinstall all filters and tubes.

Pump Problems Troubleshooting
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