Pump won't produce any suction

Today, I went to use my pump and I couldn’t get any suction. I don’t know what the problem is. It worked perfectly yesterday. There didn’t appear to be any cracks in the hose and the pumping device sounded like it was producing suction. But, nothing. Any ideas or suggestions?

Use the process of elimination. Start by disconnecting the pump from the hose and using your mouth to create suction. If you can create suction with your mouth, then it is the pump that is bad. If you still can’t create any suction then it’s either the hose, tube, or connectors that are the problem. When using your mouth you only need a connector on one end, so you’ll have an extra you can swap out with the one that connects to the tube. If you switch it and it doesn’t make a difference, that it’s not the connectors. Change the hose. If you still can’t get suction, there is a crack in the tube somewhere.

I’m assuming, of course, that you are using the right size tube with enough lube to create a good seal, and don’t have long hairs getting in the tube and breaking the seal.

Minor correction: You’ll have an extra male connector to troubleshoot with, but probably don’t have an extra of the female connector that screws directly into the tube to swap out.

Know that I think of it, your pump probably plugs directly into the hose, so you won’t have an extra male connector either. Then again, if you have a cheap tube that doesn’t use the quick change connectors, you won’t have any connectors to test.

I got my pump from LA pump. Thanks, I’ll do the trouble shooting.

IME, the issue is generally a failure to get a proper seal at the base— not enough lube or too much tube.

Try pumping with the tube pressed firmly into your stomach (or other body part with a large enough surface area, little hair, and at least a little bit of body fat). If you can maintain pressure, there is nothing wrong with the hardware, and you need to work on creating a better seal.

I already tried that. I wasn’t able to maintain any pressure.

The white fitting at the top of the tube has to be pretty tight to seal an o-ring there. This happen on my tube every couple of weeks.

Sometimes the little release valve on the bottom of the pump does not seat. Push it in with you fingernail and slide it sideways so that the valve flicks out. Has happened to my pumps. Also check those fittings.

Good point— I’ve had that happen to me as well

Well, I called the company and they helped me trouble shoot the problem. They said the pump was bad. Now, didn’t somebody on here say that pump could be replaced very inexpensively at an auto parts store?

Yes, mity-vac brake bleed hand pump system for about $35.

You can get a nice one at Autozone for $29.99. Ask for the brake bleeding kits.

Did you run your pump under running water to clean? That can ruin the internal seal. Wipe them off with a wet cloth instead. I ruined one that way. It started partially working again after months of drying, but still had a slow leak.

Harbor Freight has the same pump that you have. About $25; but what about the company replacing your pump…Is it out of warranty? Just don’t buy one of those plastic pumps which will break.