You probably thought that bottle type jacks are maintenance-free right? If you do, then you are wrong as this important car equipment do need your attention too!
Yes, bottle type jacks and many other car jacks like crocodile jacks, have fluid in them and needs oil replacement too. This is to help protect metal wear inside, prevents rust and corrosion, and more importantly stop possible leaks.
So how do you change the oil of a bottle type jack? Also, how to bleed them properly? Read on and I’ll show you how!
Bottle Type Jack Parts
To learn how to change the oil of your bottle jack, then you first need to identify and understand each of its parts. Here are the parts of a typical bottle jack found in the market:
- Extension screw
- Saddle
- Ram
- Filler Plug
- Socket
- Piston assembly
- Release valve
- Handle
- Bayonet connector
How to Do a Bottle Jack Change Oil?
Changing the fluid of your bottle type jack is as easy as changing your engine oil.
To change the fluid of your bottle jack, you first need to completely lower down the saddle completely and close the release valve.
Locate the filler plug which is commonly located at the middle part of the bottle jack.
Then pry it open using a flat head screw driver or any metal prying tool. The plug is just rubber so pry it with care.
Take note that the filler plug also acts as its drain plug.
Once the filler plug is removed, you can now drain the old fluid out using the same opening.
Completely drain the bottle jack of old oil. If yours are used heavily in a garage auto shop, expect a black, dirty fluid to come out. But if yours is just a car emergency tool, you might see a clear fluid coming out of the jack.
Bottle Type Jack Flushing
Once all the oil are fully drained, then it is time to either fill in a fresh new fluid or do a flushing first. Lets assume that you want to flush your bottle jack first shall we.
Flushing is refilling your bottle type jack of fresh new oil, but you may want to use a lesser quality oil for this procedure or use your desired fluid.
Take note that bottle jacks are “hydraulic” type of equipment which means they generally require hydraulic fluid type of oil. So your ordinary motor oil, or any all-purpose oil should not be used for bottle jacks.
To know which is the best hydraulic oil in the market, you can start your search at Amazon here.
It is good to note also that power steering fluid and automatic steering fluid (ATF) are also hydraulic oil which can be used for bottle and crocodile jacks.
Once you have your desired hydraulic fluid with you, then it’s time to flush your bottle jack!
Here are the things you need in order to fill your jack with oil:
- Hydraulic jack oil
- A syringe
- Aquarium hose (optional)
- Fluid container
Now pour your fresh hydraulic oil into the container and use the syringe to suck the fluid. Pour the fluid into the bottle type jack’s filler hole until full.
You’ll know if its full once the oil came back dripping down, which also plays as its full fluid level mark.
Cover the filler hole with your finger as you are going to pump the jack. Take note that you can return the filler plug if you wish to do this step.
Now use the lever handle and put it into the bottle jack socket. Pump the jack until the ram is completely stretched.
Then open the release valve and push down the ram until the saddle returns to its original position. Then close the release valve and drain the fluid.
That’s your first flushing. You may do this procedure several times depending on how dirty your bottle jack is.
Refill Fresh Oil into Your Bottle Type Jack
Now that you are done flushing, it is time to pour in your desired hydraulic jack fluid into your bottle jack.
To do this, simple do the same procedure of filling the bottle jack of oil using syringe and hose, until the bottle is full of fresh oil.
Do not return the refill plug yet as you need to do one last step before you are completely done – bottle jack bleeding!
Bleeding the Bottle Jack
Like other parts of the car like the cooling system and brake system, you need to bleed your bottle jack of air to ensure that it will work as efficient as possible.
To start bleeding your jack, you simply need to pump the jack until the ram is fully stretched and then lowering it down completely.
You should do this while the filler hole is open. Pumping the jack helps draw air out of the bottle jack.
Refill new fluid as needed. Return the refill plug and clean the mess you created.
And you are done!
If the leaks or any issue persists after a successful flushing and change oil, then you might need to replace it with a new one.
Shop Amazon for the cheapest but good quality bottle jacks here.
To learn more on how to do this task in real time, watch the video below. This tutorial is in Tagalog but it has English subtitle.
