hand Held Grease Gun...loading probs

[ulflyer]

I have the typical cartridge type, hand pumped, grease gun for my tactor and mowers. I often have difficulty reloading it with a new cartridge and can't figure what my prob is. I pull the spring loaded bottom handle out and lock it. Unscrew the top part of the gun, drop in new cart minus the top and bottom covers and screw it back togather. Then I release the spring loaded handle and the darn thing should start pumping grease. Sometimes it will, often it won't. I push the relief/air? valve on top but that doesnt seem to do anything. Any clues on what I can do with this thing other than throw it away and get another (its not that old and never used much). Talked to guy at NAPA and he is puzzled with them also; said some guys buy em and bring em back in a month and others have used same gun for years.:confused2:

 

[Egon]

You may have to pump it for awhile with the air vent open.:laughing:

Another way is pull the bottom handle all the way out and apply pressure to it while pumping.

 

[bullbreaker]

I have the typical cartridge type, hand pumped, grease gun for my tactor and mowers. I often have difficulty reloading it with a new cartridge and can't figure what my prob is. I pull the spring loaded bottom handle out and lock it. Unscrew the top part of the gun, drop in new cart minus the top and bottom covers and screw it back togather. Then I release the spring loaded handle and the darn thing should start pumping grease. Sometimes it will, often it won't. I push the relief/air? valve on top but that doesnt seem to do anything. Any clues on what I can do with this thing other than throw it away and get another (its not that old and never used much). Talked to guy at NAPA and he is puzzled with them also; said some guys buy em and bring em back in a month and others have used same gun for years.:confused2:

Mine has a seal inside(lincoln)which connects to back plunger.Sometimes locking back seal flips forward inside tube and you need to flip seal back so you dont lose any vacumm,etc. around inner edges of grease tube.I don't claim to be an expert but this is what I have encountered on mine.
Boone

 

[Sandlot]

While the gun is still apart, I fill the head (part with pump) full of grease. Then screw it back together. Takes way less pumping to get it clear of air! And yes, I learned this little trick on this forum! Thanks!

 

[Egon]

Embarrassing question to ask "Was the grease tube inserted the proper way" ?

 

[Highgear]

After you have installed the new cartridge and put the gun back together ,unlock the spring rod then push it back in then out half way 3-times to help prim the pump . Another tip with good grease guns - If the tip will not stay on the fitting you can screw the end in or out to fit better . You can also take the end apart and turn the jaws around to get a tighter fit .

 

[ulflyer]

Egon: yes the tube was in the right way. Will try filling the head with grease and see if that helps; pumping didn't seem to do anything...no resistance to it.

Meanwhile, came by Harbor Freight and have a cheap arse Chinese one laying out in the car to try if the above fails. Will make darn sure i keep receipt and 1 yr warranty that came with it. :laughing:

 

[gauthier]

Grease guns are a pain,period,,there is a air screw on most,take that out and pump,and than put back in,,sometimes gease will harden,glog up if you havn't used gun for a long time too,,I got three,and sometimes they work and sometimes they don't,,,buy the most expensive one you can find[well,,within reason],I like the hand pump ones,not the lever kind.

 

[RickB]

Except in the case of a brand new, never used gun, I find the air bleeders completely useless as they fill with grease. I screw the greasegun head onto the barrel a couple of turns, then release the plunger and pump the gun tilll the grease flows (hose not fitted to a grease zerk). When the gun primes, tighten the head the rest of the way and grease away. Store cartridges upright with the metal cap down.

 

[Egon]

ulflyer, if you can pull out the bottom plunger and rotate till it locks on the spring loaded plate that ordinarily pushes out the grease and then push on the lever while pumping you'll get. :thumbsup:

Those spring sometimes don't seem to have much spring to them. Of course when the new grease tube is in and the head not yet screwed on one little touch and it'll eject all the grease onto your pants and down your boot tops quicker than you can say bad words!:laughing: