AIRDIVE EQUIPMENT PTY LTD

THE PROFESSIONAL'S CHOICE

44 Derwent Park Rd
Glenorchy 7009
Tasmania  Australia
Tel 03 6273 3125
Fax 03 6231 6588
Email Us

HYDRO TEST UNIT SERVICE INFORMATION

SERVICE NOTES / FAULT DIAGNOSIS

GENERAL

For current owners, the most likely wear parts of the hydrostatic test unit are the pump hydraulic seals and the hydrostatic return valve,  panel valve number 6 on the units.  Service kits are available for the panel valves (part number 20157099k) as well as the Haskel® MS series pumps.  Airdive strongly recommends that customers only use genuine Haskel® parts in pump repairs as non-genuine parts generally fail within weeks.  Airdive can service the MS series range of pumps if required.  The same applies for Kempe Fluid Air pumps.  Genuine Fluid Hydraulics parts should be used if a Fluid Hydraulics (Kempe) has been fitted to the test unit.

IMPORTANT -If working on piping or valves of unit make sure all pressure is relieved from unit, both hydrostatic and air pressure or injury could result.  Check the gauge pressure of all gauges which should be reading zero pressure and open all high pressure section gauges.  Open pump drive vent valve to vent residual air in hydrostatic pump. Remember SAFETY FIRST!

ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN OPERATING UNIT IN CASE OF AIR OR HYDRAULIC PIPE OR  FLEXIBLE LINE FAILURE DURING OPERATION

Airdive strongly suggests the unit be mounted in such a way that the back of the unit is easily accessible for service and inspection such as on a solid frame.

If working on piping, always use two spanners so that fittings are not damaged.  Do not over-tighten olive fittings or they will need to be replaced including the pipe section if damaged.  All piping used in test units is 1/4" (6.35) diameter of 3/8" diameter.  Do not mix metric piping and imperial ferrule sets.

All units a checked in factory before shipment.  If alteration to the drain pipe (pipes) from sight glass tube(s) supplied with the unit is required, contact Airdive for details first as incorrect drain pipe alteration will cause incorrect readings to result.  All drain pipes must be free flowing and open into larger bores or airlocks will result.

PANEL VALVES

If fitting a replacement panel valve take note of the inlet / outlet ports before disassembly so that valves are placed in the correct orientation (direction).  On valve 6 of the unit, the inlet side must be toward the high pressure section of the test unit (inlet port faces towards centre of unit) with cross pipe assembly up to gauges)  and the outlet port faces towards outside of case with return pipe to bottom of pump inlet.  If this is not done then difficult operation of the valve will occur and possible gauge damage through rapid depressurisation could result.

Panel valve 6 will wear out over time. Seat pitting through fine particles of rust from cylinders or from the water supply itself do find their way into the water. Water filters prior to the inlet to the unit can prolong seat and pump seal life in areas with high mineral content water supplies such as Western Australia.  Check seat condition before installing a new service kit. A torch will assist this inspection greatly.

NOTE! If the hydrostatic return valve (number 6) leaks, the test unit will not hold pressure as water will leak back to the low pressure side.and back into the reservoir tank.   If the test unit will not hold pressure but shows no water loss, then a leaking hydrostatic return valve is the most likely problem.  Alternatively there could be a dual inlet/outlet check valve failure in the hydrostatic pump but this would be very unusual.

If there is water loss from the system then there is a system pipe leak or a faulty hydraulic seal in the hydrostatic pump.

HYDROSTATIC PUMPS

If the exhaust section (muffler) shows misting of water during operation and there is difficulty in maintaining pressure or the unit seems to be loosing water then the likely explanation is worn hydraulic seal in the hydraulic seal section of the pump.  The pump must be removed and the hydraulic seals replaced.  If it is suspected that there is a hydraulic lead fix the pump as soon as possible as this will prevent corrosion of the internal return spring and damage to the air drive barrel through corrosion.  Further, if the pump is leaking then the unit cannot comply with the relevant testing standards until the unit is repaired as inaccurate test results will occur.  Note! wetness on the muffler is normal in clod weather as the cold air being exhausted from the pump condensed moisture in the air on cold days.  If in doubt put the blank plug in the test hose and pressurise the unit to 40 MPA  up to 10 times.  Don't add water.  The water level should be a the same level set at the beginning of the process.  If there is progressive water loss each pressurisation, there is a water leak.

AIR REMOVAL FROM SYSTEM -GENERAL GUIDELINES

For proper operation all air must be removed from the system.  This is most successfully carried out using the blanking plug fitted to the outlet hose assembly.  Air should be forced to the top or the unit using the water supply. Keep valve 2 closed during this operation so that water does not preferentially fill the reservoir tank at the side of the unit.   Open valve 8 at the top of the test unit and allow the water to drain from the top of the unit outlet by opening the water fill valve (valve number 1).  When no more air can bee seen in the outlet water the valve is closed off and the reservoir tank is then filled as per tank top up. Valve 6 should be alternatively opened and closed during this operation.  The air drive valve (number 3) can be opened to run the pump to force water and trapped air from the top of the unit as well, but valve 6 must be open or pressure will build up in the high pressure side of the unit when you do this.  When complete return all valve settings to normal operating settings and remove the blank plug.  The unit is now ready to continue hydrostatic testing.

SYSTEM DOES NOT HOLD PRESSURE (PANIC STATIONS!)

If the system will not hold pressure or get to a specified pressure, firstly check for water leaks from fittings and attachments on the high pressure water side of the apparatus.  Repair / tighten as required.

If test pressure cannot be achieved, check the water level in the sight tube above the reservoir.  If water is returning to the sight tube then the likely problem is a leaking hydro return valve (number 6).  Replace the valve seals and seat with service kit 20157099K.  Inspect the metal valve seat of the valve body for damage, pitting, cracking or wear before installing the kit.  If the metal valve seat is damaged then a new seal kit will either leak immediately or leak water back to the reservoir in time.  If the valve body is damaged then replace the panel valve (part number 201570H).

If water is being lost from the system as evidenced by a water level drop in the sight tube when pressure is returned to zero pressure, then it is probable that the pump hydraulic cup seal is faulty and will need replacement.  If the seal is faulty it leaks water into the air drive side of the Haskel® pump which is subsequently blown out through the exhaust muffler during pump operation.  Look for moisture at the muffler or a water spray pattern in the rear of the unit.  Don't get confused with normal condensation which settles on the exhaust during cool weather.  If  a pump seal leak is suspected then pump must be removed by releasing all air and water pressure from the unit, and dismantling the low pressure and high pressure piping attached to the pump.  Once this is achieved, the two pump mount retaining bolts can be removed which holds the pump support to the tester case. Always use two correctly fitting spanners on all fittings and don't force pipe fittings or twist piping or gauge damage can occur.  If a pump leak is suspected fix it promptly even if the pump will get to pressure.  Water loss will give incorrect test readings which could lead to incorrect cylinder failure and also cause more costly pump repairs as the internal return spring will rust which in turn can cause damage to other components.  If in doubt, get it fixed.

All test units are supplied with a blanking plug  (2940TP15B) which can be fitted to the end of the test hose.  Use this to speed up diagnosis of faults as you will not have to pressurise a cylinder.  Using the plug will mean that a system pressure of 40 MPa can be achieved while still having water visible in the sight tube enabeling visual inspection of water leaking back to the reservoir (in the case of valve 6 leakage).  Cycling the unit up to 40 MPa and back to zero pressure 5-6 times with the blank plug installed with no addition of water between cycles will confirm a pump/system leak if the water level in the tube drops each cycle.

Very occasionally the top panel vale which is utilised when attacking the Master test gauge can wear and leak which will also cause water loss from the system (if no gauge is attached to the outlet - top right hand side).  This could be confused with a pump leak so check for leakage at this point as well.  Generally a panel valve kit (20157099K) will solve the problem as this valve is subjected to less use and metal valve seat wear is less likely to occur - check the metal seat though just to be sure.