Buying a Follower Pump
A follower pump can be found in many a home and industrial setting. It is used to lift and transfer highly viscous materials such as grease, oil or lubricants from the source. It is a highly effective solution to a common problem in these industries. There are many pumps of varying complexities to choose from. You need to be selective to find the best possible fit for your needs. Buying a new follower pump is no small feat so be sure to enlist the aid of a knowledgeable and unbiased technician who can help you make the right decision.
The best way to go about this is to find a reputable dealer who can deliver the goods in the most timely manner. You can check out some of the most reputable companies online or even make an appointment for a free no obligation consultation.
Installation
Lies And Damn Lies About FOLLOWER PUMPS
A camshaft follower, also called a cup-shaped cam follower, separates the end of the pump shaft from the cam. Wear of this part reduces pump lift and pressure, which can lead to fuel starvation in cold start and acceleration modes.
When replacing a camshaft follower, VW recommends replacement of a new unit, if possible, to restore normal pressures and prevent damage to the engine. Using a new camshaft follower can also help to restore the cylinder head air flow, which is essential for a healthy FSI engine.
If the old follower is severely galled or broken, reinstalling it can cause the follower to sling metal particles into the cylinder head, which can damage the engine. If this occurs, it is imperative to replace the camshaft and pump shaft to avoid a catastrophic failure of the engine.
Before repacking, it is important to measure key dimensions of the follower plate and stuffing box. These measurements will ensure proper flush operation and allow you to make adjustments during break-in.
A high-speed follower plate needs to be cut to the correct length so that it is able to seal tight to the wall of the barrel, without causing material to leak from the inside. In addition, the thickness of the plate must be adequate to hold up to its pressure.
The joint of successive packing should be staggered at 90 deg. Individual tamping should be supplemented by using the gland follower when enough rings have been seated to ensure that the nose of the gland will reach each ring.
To prevent packing from burning, use a good thermal conductor such as carbon fiber or flexible graphite for the pack. This will prevent frictional heat from building up between the packing and the high speed shaft. The material should not have any voids where it can contact the gland, which may encourage packing to burn out prematurely.
Installing new packing is a relatively simple process, as long as you take the proper care during the break-in period. Tighten the gland nuts finger-tight to start, then back off one turn at a time and tighten again until the leakage is reduced to an acceptable level. This adjustment can be done every 15 minutes or so, and if you pay extra attention during break-in, the packing will last much longer.
Maintenance
The maintenance of pumps and pumping systems is a critical part of their operation. Failure to conduct routine inspections can result in premature equipment failure, loss of efficiency and increased operating costs.
A maintenance plan for a pump should cover all aspects of its operation, including inspections, training and predictive maintenance services. Predictive maintenance services can help operators and maintenance managers predict when equipment will fail before it happens, allowing them to plan for repairs and minimize downtime.
Training: Operators should be trained to recognize signs of pump failure and report them immediately. The training will also show them what actions are required to properly start up and shut down pumps and how their behavior will affect the operation of other parts of the system.
ปั้มไลค์ : A visual inspection is vital to the proper operation of a pump. It should be performed daily or at least weekly. The operator should look for clogged drain lines, excessive leaking from packing glands, overheated bearings and other operating conditions that can cause problems or damage to the pump and associated equipment.
Checking the seal: Mechanical seals should be checked during the first few hours of operation for leakage and adjusted if necessary to prevent excess leakage. Excessive leakage can be a sign of worn or broken seals, and may require replacement.
Cleanliness: It is crucial to keep the bearings, housings and shaft as clean as possible during work on the pump. Dirt particles will contaminate the bearings and shorten their life.
New bearings should be replaced at each overhaul or when a new bearing replacement is recommended by the factory. The bearing should be of the correct size and type, have smooth race surfaces with no burrs and be pressed into place on the shaft shoulder. The bearing should have about 125 um (0.005″) of end play on each race.
Cleaning: Before greasing, be sure all fittings and grease cups are cleaned to remove dirt particles. Be sure to use high-quality, low-viscosity grease.
Lubrication: The bearings should be lubricated at the end of each service with a non-wearing, high-performance lubricant, such as mineral oil. Be sure the lubricant is clean and does not contain any metal powders or chemicals that could be harmful to bearings.
Troubleshooting
A follower plate is a plate, sealing tight to the wall of a barrel, which is lowered into the viscous material, allowing the pumped amount to be matched with the lifted amount. This method is useful in the manufacture of foods, resin dispensing, and gluing applications where high fluid viscosities are involved.
If the pump has been used for a while, check the follower plate for cracks or other damage. A damaged follower plate can cause the liquid to leak, causing serious problems.
Also check the packing gland and lubrication on all bearings to see if there are any signs of contamination or overheating, which can lead to premature bearing failure. If the bearings are dirty, it is advisable to replace them.
The pump should also be checked for any air that has gotten into the volute or casing. If air is found, the pump must be ventied to remove the trapped air before it can be operated again.
This can be done by disconnecting the pump and turning off the motor or by removing the hose from the suction line and then placing the hose under pressure. You can also try a flame or match to test for any water or gasoline leaks in the flanges of the pump.
A worn down follower can be a major source of fuel pump damage as it will wear through the holes that go through the pump and into the cam. If this happens it is a good idea to replace the follower as this can save you from spending even more money on replacing the fuel pump.
It is a good idea to inspect the cam and pump shaft every 5000 miles or so as they are very easy to damage. Symptoms include illumination of the check engine light, rough running, and loss of power.
It is recommended to change the engine oil to OE specification as this will reduce the risk of damaging the cam and fuel pump follower. Aside from checking the cam and pump follower, it is also a good idea to check other parts of the vehicle such as the throttle sensor, thrust sensor and fuel pump.
