FAQ r1.6

Priming

1. How do I prime the pump?

The pump is delivered already primed and filled with oil.

Step 1.

When the lines are connected, run Prime a few times until both lines are full of oil (press and hold + for >2s to trigger Prime)

If the oil is drawn from the container and the pump primes itself, then go to Step 3

Step 2.

If the oil is not moving in the lines when you run Prime:

By far the quickest and easiset way to prime the line to the pump and remove any air from the pump itself is to create a closed circuit as follows:

· Cut a piece of tubing the same length as the line from the container to the pump

· Use this temporay tubing to connect the output from the pump to the breather on the container (this way the pump flows oil back into the bottle - and pressurises it).

· Run Prime a few times until both lines are full of oil

· Carefully disconnect the temporary line

· Finally connect the main line from the pump output to the nozzles.

Note: it is best not to use the supplied breather line for this pump-priming operation - but if you do, then you must blow all the oil out before reconnecting it!

Step 3.

Place a container or paper towel under the nozzles to catch the oil coming out. Run Prime until you see oil coming out of the nozzles, and the line contains no air bubbles longer than 5mm.

You must fill the oil lines downstream from the pump. Unlike a gravity feed system, the lines will not fill themselves - the oil needs to be pumped. 1m of oil line contains 2.54ml of oil - that can be 200km of riding before oil reaches the chain!

2. Do I need to prime all the air out of the lines?

Yes.

· Air bubbles mean the PRO-OILER will run lean - when the pump pulses, any air in the line will be pumped out of the nozzle at the same rate as oil. If half the line is filled with air, then only half the amount of oil required will get to the chain... [See FAQ Oil Lines]

· Very small bubbles (2-3mm) may remain caught in the pump, or at the connection tubing between the lines and the pump nozzles, and eventually move down the line - these are harmless

· The pump is designed to pump fluids, and is a poor air-pump. When priming empty lines, bear this in mind, as you will need to many more primes when pumping air than oil. (See How do I prime  the pump)

3. I'm running a Prime sequence, but nothing is coming out of the nozzle. What's happening?

· First of all, ensure the pump is actually running. Run Prime with your finger on the pump - you should feel, and maybe hear a light tapping as the pump pulses 

· If the lines on the intake side of the pump are empty, then it may take several prime cycles to produce any movement - even as many as 20. Use the recommended method for filling the lines and the pump (See How do I prime the pump)

· Remember it can take a few seconds for the elasticity in the lines to be taken up - the colder the oil, the longer the delay. 

· So, if you run several prime cycles there will be a delay before oil comes out of the nozzle, and oil will continue to come out of the nozzle until the pressure in the lines has been released.

See Tips and Tricks and Troubleshooting for more information on priming the pump.