Well! In this blog, you will discover how to refill your hydraulic floor jack and take care of it because it plays a vital role in lifting, replacing a tire and doing some other maintenance.
So you will undoubtedly hail to learn how to add hydraulic fluid to a floor jack in order to maintain your jack in a healthy condition. Thus, keeping the hydraulic fluid level full is essential, so never compromise on it.
Being an ordinary driver or a mechanic by profession, it is undeniable that you will use a hydraulic floor jack to lift vehicles. Therefore, you will also maintain your floor jack hydraulic fluid to the recommended level to perform your tasks safely and efficiently.
Suppose you have bought a new floor jack, and it is empty, so you must fill it. Hence, you do not know how to fill a floor jack before its operation. Thus, it is your good luck; we have solved your query about how to add oil to floor jack.
To accomplish this, you must check your floor jack fluid level after every six months. But it also depends on your jack use; if you use it frequently in your workshop, refill it monthly or quarterly. Therefore, it is indispensable to know how to fill a hydraulic floor jack correctly.
You must check and replenish the fluid level whenever you notice surplus fluid on or around the jack. In the following steps, we’ll guide you on how to refill a floor jack. Let’s walk through it!
You can choose the best floor jack from: 7 Best 3.5 Ton Floor Jacks In 2023 – Buying Guide
Why Should You Add Hydraulic Fluid?
If you do not have enough hydraulic fluid in your floor jack, you cannot operate it, or it will not lift your vehicle. While using a hydraulic floor jack, it is essential to inspect all the components of your jack. And you must also check the fluid level of the jack to get its smooth performance.
Likewise, everyone knows hydraulic jacks use hydraulic fluid to lift heavy objects. As it smooths out the internal parts of the jack for fast lifting, the hydraulic fluid is indispensable for the efficiency of a floor jack. As a result, you will not get ample jack capability when you don’t have proper fluids.
Related Article : How To Use A Hydraulic Jack – A Complete Guidance
Always remember! lifting your heavy vehicles is not a joke with the help of floor jack. Thus it is vital to use the efficient and the best floor jack to lift your vehicle with no damage or injuring yourself. But there is no need to worry; we have some guidelines for you that will help you how to add hydraulic fluid to a floor jack.
How To Add Hydraulic Fluid To A Floor Jack – Some Useful Steps
We have four chambers in the floor jack. One chamber is an oil reservoir with hydraulic fluids in it. When you start pumping, the fluids transfer to the hydraulic chamber, which raises the saddle. As the saddle extends, it lifts the weight of the vehicle.
According to the summary, hydraulic fluid plays an essential role in hydraulic jacks, and that’s the reason you should fill the jack with hydraulic fluids. Let’s explore a step-by-step guide how to refill your hydraulic floor jack with fluid.
Step 1: Ready The Jack For Refilling
First, you will look for a rigid, flat surface. Then go for loosening the jack release valve. The release valve usually comes in two varieties. To turn one of them, you will need a flat-head screwdriver while using a particular handle for the other.
Read the user’s manual if you have difficulty finding out the valve. You have to turn the screw counter-clockwise to release the valve. When you turn the release valve, it will lower the jack. Keep the valve open to bring the jack arm into the lowest position before going to the next step.
Step 2: Remove the Cover Plates
Some hydraulic jacks may have a cover plate that is depending on the jack model. The cover plate protects the internal mechanism of the jack. So to turn the screws of the cover plate, you will need to find suitable screwdrivers.
Sometimes, it does not require much effort to remove the plate. Once you are done, keep the plate and screws in the safe place so you don’t lose them.
Step 3: Look For The Oil Fill Hole And Open It
You will introduce the oil into the jack cylinder with an oil fill plug. But firstly, you will need to find the oil plug hole where it is located. In most hydraulic jacks, the oil plug is situated near the floor of the jack’s reservoir.
However, most plugs are located somewhere at the top of the reservoir in the new version of jacks. You can also read the user’s manual to confirm the position. You can remove the plug using a screwdriver by turning counter-clockwise. Use a flat head screwdriver to open the cap.
Be careful while opening the filler port to avoid any damage. Don’t try to open it with force. You need to learn a proper method to open it. After that, clean out the oil seepage around the plug. That way, you will not allow any contamination when filling up the jacking oil.
You can see a lot of dirt accumulated in years near the valve if the jack is older. Before opening the plug, you make sure that you clean everything near the plug manually or either through a pressure washer.
Step 4: Fill The Reservoir With Hydraulic Fluid
As you open the oil fill plug, first, you need to check the current oil level in the cylinder. Doing so will give you an idea of how much oil you need to pour into the cylinder. Use the flashlight to see the oil level in the cylinder. If you see the inner cylinders, add some more oil to them.
To avoid the wastage of jack oil, you should use a funnel. Only use good quality hydraulic jack oil. We recommend you to use Liquid Wrench Jack oil found here.
Step 5: Replace The Filler Plug
Replace the plug by screwing or pushing the cap back. Once again, use the rag or cloth and clean everything properly.
Final Step: Close Up The Plates
Once you add the oil to the hydraulic floor jack, screw back the cover plates. Clean the plates with a rag also. And that’s it. You have successfully learned how to add hydraulic fluid to a floor jack.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much hydraulic fluid do you put in the floor jack?
When pouring the oil, check the oil levels in between. You can stop putting the hydraulic fluid when it has reached just below the lower rim of the oil fill plug.
What can be used as a substitute for hydraulic fluid?
It is evident that many mining and construction industries use hydraulic oil substitutes in heavy equipment that works effectively. Thus, here are a few hydraulic jack oil substitutes: engine oil SAE 10, SAE 20, and SAE 30, with the lowest API rating.
Consequently, these substitutes are for hydraulic oil ISO 32, ISO 46, and ISO 68, respectively. These hydraulic oil substitutes work efficiently, allowing you to use them without hesitation.
What sort of oil do you use in the hydraulic floor jack?
The best oil that you can use for your hydraulic jack is ISO 150 and 8W32, as it meets most of the jack requirements.
Can I use brake fluid in a hydraulic jack?
No, not at all; you can not use brake fluid or oil in a hydraulic jack. Because it can ruin your jack and make it malfunction, that will make you compelled to rebuild it. Also, avoid any kind of petroleum base oils.
Can I use power steering fluid in a hydraulic jack?
The answer to your question is Yes! You can use Power steering fluid in a hydraulic jack. Thus, because of its high viscosity index, power steering oil works effectively in the hydraulic system of the jack.
How can I check the oil in the jack?
First, you will open the oil plug and see the oil reservoir using a torch. When the oil level is just below the rim, there is no need to fill it.
What if, after filling, my hydraulic floor jack won’t expand fully?
For this, you have to check whether your object weight goes above the jack’s load capacity. Or the reason might be your jack’s components are damaged or rusted.
What are the reasons my hydraulic jack is not working?
Here are some of the reasons why your jack is deficient:-
The object weight is greater than the load capacity of the jack.
Your jack hydraulic fluid level is low.
When your floor jack some parts get damaged and rusted, it will become dysfunctional.
Sometimes it is not working because of the release valve tightness.
Conclusion-How To Add Hydraulic Fluid To A Floor Jack
To cut the story short! Thus, you have read everything in this blog about how to add hydraulic fluid to a floor jack. So, filling a floor jack with hydraulic fluid is a pretty simple process after getting how to add fluid to a floor jack. Generally, you must refill your jack twice in a year.
We hope now you know very well when your jack stop working then what to do. Make sure that the hydraulic fluid you are using is of good quality. To maintain your hydraulic floor jack, it is noteworthy to solve the query about how to refill a hydraulic floor jack when you need the refiling process.
