Pump maintenance

[Trikeyohreilly]

Hi.

I have a Lezyne pump I carry on my tourer. I think it is best described as a mini track pump. I have carried it upside down on my down tube so rain doesn't enter it.

However it sounds awful when used. I didn't depend on it often but now I need it to get to relatively high pressures for a recently purchased tandem.

Should I oil it? Maybe with finish line wet (as that's what I have)? I can access the main chamber. The rubber seal seems fine and it does work but feel I'm missing something. Spit has got me by, but again feel I'm missing something.

Thanks in advance.

[Suffolker]

I use silicone grease in very small amounts on seals and o-rings, but only if absolutely necessary. Oil or oil-based lubricants and preservatives, applied as liquid, are, I think, to be avoided, as any that manages to transfer from the pump into the inner tube can rot the rubber.

[fastpedaller]

2nd 'vote' for silicone grease, on the basis that it's pretty much inert - other greases may destroy the rubber seal?.

[ElCani]

I took apart and lubricated my Lezyne Road Drive the other day, which resulted in a great improvement in its operation. It’s simple and there’s a YouTube vid showing you how.

[Trikeyohreilly]

OK.

I'm not near any bike shops... Do you know of anywhere more general I might be able to purchase silicone grease?

Thank you.

[rogerzilla]

I've always used vaseline. There are urban legends of it causing explosions when the piston is slammed down, but I take my hat off to you if you can do that.

[thirdcrank]

OK.

I'm not near any bike shops... Do you know of anywhere more general I might be able to purchase silicone grease?

Thank you.

It's stocked by places like Screwfix, Toolstation and I'd expect any real ironmonger (dying species.)

[rotavator]

Plumbers merchants like Wolseley should also stock silicone grease.

[ClappedOut]

Air gun suppliers or amazon, if it’s food grade your safe.

[cocopops]

Definitely go with a trace of silicone oil or silicone grease.
You know how a diesel engine works? You don't want that to happen to your pump.
That's why air compressors use specialist non-mineral lubrication for anything in the air path. Same for scuba tanks. Silicone grease is also pretty inert so if traces end up in the tube/tyre, it's mostly harmless.
If you have to use something else, then use a minimal amount and at the first opportunity, clean it & re-lube with silicone oil/grease.

[Pebble]

I've always used vaseline. There are urban legends of it causing explosions when the piston is slammed down, but I take my hat off to you if you can do that.

Vaseline / Petroleum jelly, I struggle to believe this would deteriorate the rubber plunger in a pump, but it is based on a mineral oil....

I have been using Red Rubber Grease for years, I think it is designed to work with rubber ? (i have enough of it for several life times)

[mikeymo]

Whatever lubricant you use, don't overdo it.

I have a Revolution track pump that had got water inside it, so the inside of the tube had a bit of rust. I took it apart, and aware of the problems of mineral oil, used silicone spray and grease. It then stopped working reliably. I think I was far too liberal with the lubricant and it's got inside a valve somewhere. Or something. I suppose I could spend ages trying to sort it out, but I never really liked it anyway.

It's been replaced by one of these beauties:

https://www.sks-germany.com/en/products/rennkompressor/

Which is far better.

[Pebble]

Whatever lubricant you use, don't overdo it.

I have a Revolution track pump that had got water inside it, so the inside of the tube had a bit of rust. I took it apart, and aware of the problems of mineral oil, used silicone spray and grease. It then stopped working reliably. I think I was far too liberal with the lubricant and it's got inside a valve somewhere. Or something. I suppose I could spend ages trying to sort it out, but I never really liked it anyway.

It's been replaced by one of these beauties:

https://www.sks-germany.com/en/products/rennkompressor/

Which is far better.

does it double up as a hedge trimmer