I doubt that’s the problem but you can attempt to extend the cylinder by pulling on it with a ratchet strap with the valve closed. If the seals in the cylinder are good and the valve is mostly tight you won’t be able to move it like that. If the seals are bad the ram could be extended by pulling on it with minimal effort.
I replaced the suction hose with a new hose they made for me at the local truck repair shop.as far as the cylinder i was just wondering. With the gauge tee'd in and holding completely stroked out the gauge reads nothing, yes the gauge is new aswell.
Yes I believe I have worked it more than enough to purge the air out of it, the return drops down in the tank about 3 inches from the bottom of the tank, it's also a 14 gallon tank and put 10 gallons back in it.