The Do's & Don'ts of Vacuum Pump Maintenance - Our Guide

Given the high value of vacuum pumps in terms of both their functionality and actual price, it should come as no surprise that giving them proper care is of utmost importance. Regularly maintaining your vacuum pump allows it to last much longer than you might expect, which essentially allows it to work whenever you need it. Through a set maintenance procedure, properly maintaining your vacuum pumps will become much easier over time and will serve you long enough so that you make the most out of every dollar spent.

Admittedly, carrying out regular vacuum pump maintenance is easier said than done, as most people who do the process by themselves are more likely to make mistakes that can completely break the appliance. Fortunately, properly maintaining your vacuum pump will be an easier process as long as you closely follow the standard dos and don’ts of the process.

To ensure that you keep your appliance working well in the long run, here are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

DO: Change your oil after each evacuation

One of the most important tasks that you can do for maintaining your vacuum pump and keeping it free of problems is to change the oil after every evacuation. By loading your vacuum pump with a fresh oil change after every evacuation, you’ll be able to ensure that deep states of vacuum are reached without putting the pump itself at risk of breaking. If you’re unsure of what type of oil you should use, go for uncontaminated products that are free of moisture to keep everything running smoothly for each evacuation.

DON’T: Start your vacuum pump before adding oil

Similar to car engines, vacuum pumps will not run properly and will be at risk of incurring irreparable damage if they are started before you add oil inside. Your vacuum pump relies on oil to run as smoothly as possible during use, so make sure that you add in the manufacturer’s recommended amount before starting it up.

DO: Check your oil levels while the vacuum pump is running

Constantly checking your vacuum pump’s oil levels is a great way to ensure that contaminants don’t get stuck to the inside of the pump itself. Generally, the oil level of a vacuum pump can be monitored through a meter that’s located on the appliance, so make sure to check the readings regularly to gauge whether or not it’s time for a change.

DON’T: Operate or pull your vacuum pump by using already-contaminated oil

One of the biggest vacuum pump-killing mistakes that people make when dealing with their machines is that they start running them with contaminated oil during evacuation. Running a vacuum pump with already-contaminate oil puts it at an even greater risk of breaking completely. This is because the contaminants can block the pathways and inner workings of your appliance.

DO: Use manufacturer-recommended oil

If your vacuum pump’s manual comes with a few oil recommendations from your manufacturer, don’t take the advice lightly because no one knows your vacuum pump better than the ones who made it. Using manufacturer-recommended oil is a great way to ensure that your vacuum pump runs smoothly with every evacuation as it is well-suited to the inner workings of your appliance!

Carrying out effective vacuum pump maintenance has much to do with the type of oil that you use, when you apply it, and how you take care of the machinery itself. By taking these dos and don’ts to mind, you’ll be able to keep your vacuum pump as healthy as possible while minimizing the wear and tear that comes about with frequent use.

If you are looking for vacuum pump oils, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.