Parts Washer Pump

[Matt HarringtonParticipant @mattharrington87221]

[Matt HarringtonParticipant @mattharrington87221]

A while back, I stupidly (and accidentally) kicked my small parts washer whilst it languished on the floor. This resulted in the cable being 'removed' from the switch and in turn the pump was broken and unserviceable. So, at the time I looked around for a replacement and found that I could buy a new unit cheaper than the pump on its own. Now I know why! Today, I went to use the unit and found the pump had melted in my solvent degreasing fluid. This never happened with the old pump.

It transpires that these pumps are for fish tank use and so only suitable for water based fluids!

So, My question is: can anyone suggest an appropriate small pump as a replacement that will withstand solvent base degreasing fluids?

Matt

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

If the solvent is flammable, special requirements are likely to apply to any electrical equipment (and even to mechanical moving parts).

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Probably not much help, but many years ago I made a parts washer that used an old SU fuel pump off a Morris Minor.

Rob

[Benjamin DayParticipant @benjaminday94198]

Diesel pump?

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

How about a workshop project to make a pump?

It could be a gear type pump, of maybe and eccentric rotor, or a sliding vane.

Now there's a choice! Time to put on thinking caps about which type, size, and materials to hand

Howard

[Michael Cox 1Participant @michaelcox1]

If you go on ebay and search engine oil extractor or diesel oil pump there are many small low voltage (eg 12 V) pumps that typically pump about 5 litres/min available. They cost circa £10 and are rated at 60 watts.

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

Hi Matt,

My Brother recently bought a new pump for our wash-tank at work. I'll have a look tomorrow and see if we still have the part no. and supplier info. Will update accordingly. I think they're a bit pricy though.

Our tank is filled and topped up with white spirit but also contains 2-stroke, 4-stroke and diesel, plus oil and grease from the parts we service.

Ed.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Further to Michaels suggestion I'm given to understand that the inexpensive fuel and oil extractor pumps should not be left filled because fuel and oil will eventually attack the innards. Given the price arranging a tap and QD connector so that the pump can be removed and flushed between uses may well be worth while.

A suds pump should be cleaning fluid proof but possibly over-enthusiastic. They can be found from £40 upwards for a bare pump. Likely too large to retro-fit inside the tank.

Clive

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

There was an article in MEW ages ago about a guy who made a gear type oil pump with an extra long shaft, with a motor well above fluid level driving it. This was intended for suds coolant on a mill or lathe as I recall but likely would be fine for parts washer use – IF it had a large area filter like a car oil filter on the inlet. This type of gear pump would not need rubber seals if the shaft bushing was a close fit on the shaft. The rubber seals and impeller parts inside pumps is what get attacked and ruined by solvents in parts washers usually. The motor for the gear type pump could mounted well above the parts washer, high and dry. A cheap DC gearhead one from China with a 200-500 rpm output would likely be fine. Most cars from 1930's to early 1960's had gear type oil pumps, with two gears in a close fitting housing, one of them driven.

Hope this idea helps.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Sealey sell parts washers and they are good for spare parts for their products.

We have a floor standing 50L SM19 parts washer at the museum. It has had parafin based solvent in it for years and the pump works fine. They also list a benchtop washer. Just google SEALEY, find the closest product and using the part number, you can get their spare parts.

Edited By old mart on 30/11/2020 20:34:52

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

I had neat diesel in my Sealy washer for a year.

[Henry BrownParticipant @henrybrown95529]

The Machine Mart one can only use their cleaning agent due to seal failure if more aggressive cleaners are used with them.

Seems a common fault with the cheaper stuff, the relevant internet sites were full of it, I found this out when I bought one 18 months ago. I'll be interested to see if a replacement will be recommended, I had toyed with trying a boat bilge pump but not got around to it.

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

The company we got a replacement pump from is Safetykleen. I'm afraid I could not obtain a part no. just yet.

Incidentally the internal seals had gone on ours and there was fluid in and around all the electric parts, still working in that condition. Could have been interesting.

Here are some photos of the pump we took out.

Regards,
Ed.

[martin haysomParticipant @martinhaysom48469]

use an impeller pump not a gear pump easer to make less likely to jam

plus gear pumps are for high pressure

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Just had a thought, would a central heating circulator work?

Rob

[NIALL HORNParticipant @niallhorn50878]

Amazon list a pump for use with electric drills which is allegedly suitable for oil and costs £10.99 – not a lot to gamble!

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by NIALL HORN on 06/12/2020 22:02:03:

Amazon list a pump for use with electric drills which is allegedly suitable for oil and costs £10.99 – not a lot to gamble!

I would want something more than ‘allegedly’ being suitable for oil, Even at ‘only’ a tenner. For the cost of an email one should be able to confirm that suspicion – or otherwise.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I have a Laser brand pump for use with a drill (never used it yet) the only thing it says that it is not suitable for is petrol. It seems this is because that drills can cause sparks, even air driven ones, apparently and have the danger of igniting the petrol, though the pump itself would be resistant to petrol. I believe most of this type of pump are the same.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 07/12/2020 07:18:05

[Matt HarringtonParticipant @mattharrington87221]

Thanks for all the replies and apologies for the delay.(distraction!)

I have sourced a pump form Zoro and have removed a small part of the unit and it is currently soaking in my degreasing fluid. I'll advise in due course if it withstands the solvent cleaner. In the past I have used water based degreasing fluid and they merely stipped off all of the paint on the parts washer, hence moving over to a solvent based one. I now wish I had kept the old washer so I could have referenced the part as that unit never gave any issue.

Matt

[Danni BurnsParticipant @danniburns84841]

I found this on ebay. Can anyone advise me if it would be a good choice for lathe coolant?

Its 19.50 and Says:

Specifications

Voltage: 12v
Power: 100W
Flow: 1-4L/min
No-loading Current: 2.5A
Loading Current: 5A
Work cycle: 30min
Theory: Gear pump
Pump Diameter: Approx. 16×6.2cm
Inlet tube (approx.): 0.8x100cm (D x L)
Outlet tube (approx.): 1x100cm (D x L)

The actual ebay title is below (if anyone wants to find it themself:

12V Electric Car Oil Extractor Pump For Transfer Fluid Engine Vacuum w/Hose 100W

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