Air Over Hydraulic Cylinder Troubleshooting

Leaking cylinder seals or fittings.

Air over hydraulic cylinder troubleshooting.

Is your cylinder moving too slowly. Aeration occurs when air contaminates the hydraulic fluid. A popular misconception about hydraulic cylinders is that if the piston seal is leaking the cylinder will drift down. Check for excessive contamination or wear.

Cylinder or motor damaged. Fact is if the piston seal is completely removed from a double acting hydraulic cylinder the cylinder is completely filled with oil and its ports are plugged the cylinder will hold its load indefinitely unless the rod seal leaks. Check oil to see that viscosity is not too low. Other symptoms include foaming of the fluid and erratic actuator movement.

Tie bolts too tight stack valves. Or not advancing at all. See troubleshooting guides for incorrect flow and incorrect pressure. This situation is seen more often in cylinders that work against unsteady loads.

Adjust repair or replace. Air in the hydraulic fluid makes an alarming banging or knocking noise when it compresses and decompresses as it circulates through the system. Check to see that oil intake is well below surface of oil in reservoir. Control valve does not center binding see hydraulic product safety sheet.

Mechanical bind not operating. Check mechanical electrical and or hydraulic limits and sequence devices. Changes in temperature and transportation in awkward positions can cause air to accumulate in a hydraulic circuit which can cause an air hydraulic bottle jac. Repair or replace worn parts and loose packing.

Check pump packing and line connections on intake side by pouring hydraulic oil over suspected leak. Abrasive particles suspended in the fluid can damage the seal and the piston rod surface while airborne contamination can be drawn into a cylinder via a faulty wiper seal. Control valve not centering when released. Locate and repair bind.

Bleed air and check for leaks. Check for spool binding. Hydraulic cylinders and pumps come in a variety of shapes and sizes but they also can experience.