Hi I was wondering if any one can help with this pump problem. I need to change the pump clamp washer (154) on my R55 heater but have been unable to remove the old hardened washer because I cannot get the metal nut to release from the pump tube. I have tried the following methods to release this nut: Soaking in Mackburner's recommended releasing agent (50:50 mix of acetone and automatic gear box oil). Next: fitting in vice and rocking backwards and forwards with waterpump pliers interspersed with sharp tapping with a hammer. None of this has worked and if I were to apply more torque I feel I would buckle the pump tube. I would be most grateful if anyone could offer any further advice. Regards, Jeremy
I am not sure Jeremy, but I think that the seal housing is permanently fixed to the pump tube on some early Tilleys. I think that you just have to apply a little heat from a small blow-torch to burn the old seal, then dig it out with a sharpish implement, and fit the new seal into the recess. I am sure that someone will correct me if I am wrong. Steve.
Those can be difficult to remove. I have had a few like that where the nut won't release. I suspect some may be soldered in. Not sure of that but certainly some just won't move. The eaiest way to remove a welded on seal is to burn it out. Just apply a blow torch until the rubber burns out. It will then clean out easily. I tend to be reluctant to do it that way on Tilley pumps though so for those take a small sharpened screwdriver and press it into the rubber until it cuts through. You can chop the rubber up into small pieces and dig it all out. Tedious but it works. Old dental picks can be handy for this if you can find any. ::Neil::
Agreed, the older the washer the harder it is! I have found some pumps soldered, I've actually ripped the solder apart and unscrewed ones in the past. They still screw back together ok again though..... My preferred method is to use a sharp scriber and dig/break-out the remains of the old washer, that way you can wheedle the encrusted remains out of the threads as well. Alec.
Just had a similar issue on an FL6 pump,,,, heated/cooled ,plusgas,freezer treatment,,,, added a bit more heat and the threaded section solder melted just leaving the pump tube,,,,I'm now pretty convinced the large 'knob' was soldered together in the factory...
Sharpen the point of a small screwdriver and then use it to slice through the hard washer and then remove the parts, a bradle will also do the job but it takes longer, Jeff.
Jeff is spot on. I use a hobby razor knife for the same purpose; you need to cut the seal and remove it in pieces.
The only lamp pump I have ever had to unsolder was a Phoebus which has a very narrow washer set deep down the thread and I could not get in there to dig it out so it had to be unsoldered and burnt out and then the nut soldered back in place. Mostly you just cut them up and dig them out so long as there is room to do it that way. ::Neil::
Except 'bradle' is probably Shetlandese for what the rest of us call a bradawl. I can't be arsed with sharpening screwdrivers etc. so I paid 99p (or was it £1.49?) for a dental pick from eBay. Good strong metal, well-balanced and easy to grip. Otherwise Aldi get in sets of four picks from time-to-time - £2.49...
