Having a broken hydraulic pump while driving a car or steering a boat is quite dangerous. Even more so if you’re operating a nine-ton forklift and something malfunctions. As it’s the mechanism that converts mechanical power into hydraulic pressure within automobiles and agricultural machinery, losing control of that can mean the loss of life. If you’re out on the water and your hydraulics fail, you could end up stuck in the middle of the ocean for who knows how long. To prevent those possibilities, here are three signs that your hydraulic pump needs to be looked at by an expert.

What’s That Noise?

Hydraulic pumps are designed to muffle any loud noises that are usually produced. As the pump pushes fluid through the system at high speeds and pressures, it’s bound to make some noise. However, loud noises are a clear sign that something’s wrong. As the hydraulic pump is used, machinery parts eventually get worn down and can’t perform as they once did. A simple repair or overall replacement is imminent if any louder than normal sounds continue during use.

Leaks All Around

Liquid flows freely within the tubes of any hydraulic pump. It’s when you start seeing liquid outside of those tubes that you have a serious problem on your hands. Causes can range from a simple seal being loose to a severe break in the line. Either way, a leak within the pump will result in a drop in pressure, provoking the entire system to malfunction. This type of leak can only be spotted when examining the inside of the hydraulic pump or if pressures are lower than usual.

If hydraulic liquid is present on the exterior of the pump, then your leak has gone from bad to worse. The best thing you can do is to act immediately and contact an expert to determine whether your pump can be repaired or needs to be replaced. Leaking of any kind is big, as it can result in a chain reaction of other problems occurring further down the line.

High Temperatures

Temperatures that rise above 180 degrees Fahrenheit or 82 degrees Celcius will have negative effects on the functionality of any hydraulic pump. These temperatures will occur if the system isn’t being properly cooled. Make sure air is flowing freely around the reservoir of the hydraulic system, that there’s nothing obstructing it. If temperatures get too high or there’s too much pressure, then the pump will experience more strain than necessary, leading to untimely failure.

Looking for a hydraulic repair company? S&T Hydraulics is a complete service centre that specializes in fixing and reconstructing hydraulic components like pumps, motors, cylinders, valves and hydrostatic transmissions. Located in Scarborough, Ontario, we have 30 years of experience working with all makes and models of hydraulic parts, focusing on manufacturing, automotive and agricultural industries. Our experts are also skilled in working with mobile industries regarding lumber, construction, drilling, mining and more. For a free quote on any hydraulic repairs you may need, visit our website at www.sthydraulics.com.