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Old 07-05-2016, 06:42 PM   #1
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Leaking Bottle Jack

Does anyone own a bottle jack that has not started to leak oil after 2 to three years? If so what brand?

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Old 07-05-2016, 06:51 PM   #2
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Bought a new one. Read instructions and it says to store upright, not on its side. Same instructions for Sherline scale.
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Old 07-05-2016, 06:56 PM   #3
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One of the cheapest you can buy a harbor freight 12 ton ( thought it was 4 and just looked ) . I think I paid around $15 for it used. I just looked and they are now $29.99. I've had it since the late 90's. Its jacked up a 12X12 wood storage shed when I moved it, my truck multiple times for tire rotations, my previous camper for an axle replacement and has been lent out a few times. No leaks but it does look like a rusty piece of junk since it sets in a shed in Florida.
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Old 07-05-2016, 07:26 PM   #4
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This ( I think) 2-ton baby goes back at least to before the Johnson administration. Cannot remember where I got it. Can't read the label anymore. A few months ago I used it on the truck and it began to ooze fluid, but it held and I was able to get my work done quickly. That got me thinking it was either time for new seals or time for the scrap heap but, have no clue how to fix it and just could not part with her. Just gave it a test today and, no oozing. Maybe it's good for another 50 years.
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Old 07-05-2016, 07:33 PM   #5
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Neither of my bottle jacks leak, but neither has been used very much (although one was used to raise a 10-ton motorhome on it's suspension, so it's not like they haven't done anything) so they're not really evidence of durable construction.

My issue is with floor jacks, which seem to die after a few years. My current pair (one small and light, one long and stronger) don't have issues yet, but that doesn't mean they're particularly time-tested either.
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Old 07-05-2016, 07:37 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
Bought a new one. Read instructions and it says to store upright, not on its side.
That's probably as much to keep air out of the working cylinder as it is to avoid leaks. The outer housing is normally the fluid reservoir (with the smaller working cylinder within it... and yes, the seal on the reservoir probably is not intended to keep oil from leaking out if the jack is left on its side.
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Old 07-05-2016, 07:39 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by fbalexander View Post
Does anyone own a bottle jack that has not started to leak oil after 2 to three years?
Fred, do you find they they "leak down" (meaning that they retract under load when they're not supposed to), or that fluid leaks out? If it leaks out, is this only when under load, or only when being pumped up, or when? There could be different causes and perhaps different ways to avoid the problem, depending on specifically what is happening.
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Old 07-05-2016, 07:45 PM   #8
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Mine leaked in storage, laying on its side, after a rough ride.
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Old 07-05-2016, 08:01 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
Fred, do you find they they "leak down" (meaning that they retract under load when they're not supposed to), or that fluid leaks out? If it leaks out, is this only when under load, or only when being pumped up, or when? There could be different causes and perhaps different ways to avoid the problem, depending on specifically what is happening.
Brian, mine is a Crappy Tire version and it leaks just sitting there. It has for years. Standing up or laying down, it leaks. I guess time to invest! Just not sure if I need to spend wads of $$ to get one that won't leak. Plan to carry it in a plastic tool box (standing up) along with two jack stands as I have done with the "leaking" one.

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Old 07-06-2016, 12:46 AM   #10
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Brian, mine is a Crappy Tire version and it leaks just sitting there. It has for years. Standing up or laying down, it leaks. I guess time to invest! Just not sure if I need to spend wads of $$ to get one that won't leak.
Okay, it's not coming out a vent. If it's leaking out even when not under pressure, there are not a lot places to be bad... but whether it can be fixed is another matter. I don't know where I would go to get a better one... and know that it will be better.

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Plan to carry it in a plastic tool box (standing up) along with two jack stands as I have done with the "leaking" one.
Makes sense to me.
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Old 07-06-2016, 02:17 AM   #11
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I guess time to invest!

If it helps, I've had a Craftsman 6 ton for many years now. Don't even remember how long. It's never leaked. I think they can be had at Sears for around $30.




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Old 07-06-2016, 06:53 AM   #12
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I think everything starts to ooze with age, even people......
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Old 07-06-2016, 07:04 AM   #13
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I think everything starts to ooze with age, even people......
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Old 07-06-2016, 07:27 AM   #14
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I think everything starts to ooze with age, even people......
Hi: cpaharley2008... Depends!!! Alf
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Old 07-06-2016, 07:55 AM   #15
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I think everything starts to ooze with age, even people......
Coffee just shot out my nose! Is that oozing?
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