Sprayer pump problem

[Hondo]

Help! I can't figure out what's wrong. I have a 26 gallon spray tank, powered by a 12v battery. One of these: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...mp;R=200240124 It's worked just fine in the past. But a couple of days ago it stopped working. The pump ran, but I was able to use the sprayer for only about ten seconds before the stream became a drizzle. So it seems I'm losing pressure somewhere. I checked the connections, nothing seemed loose, and even replaced the small tubes from the tank to the pump and from the pump to the sprayer. I also blew air through various connections, in case there was a clog. No luck. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[Bird]

Bob, it's a little hard to diagnose without seeing it, but it sounds like a pump problem. Those pumps are a diaphram type pump, very easy to rebuild, and you can buy a "kit" for doing that. However, if you take it apart first, you may find that you don't even need the kit. I had one of the Shurflo pumps for the water system in my RV that would run continously without building enough pressure to turn off the pressure switch and when I took it apart, one of three screws internally had come loose. I also found the same thing in a neighbor's 25 gallon spray rig. If you have the manual for that pump, it's about a 10 minute job, maybe a little longer without the manual. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Hondo]

Thanks, Bird. Looks like I'll take it apart. I can just imagine wondering what to do with "these extra parts" once I get it back together... [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

[Bird]

Hondo, it's hard to tell from Northern's picture which model Shurflo that is, but all the ones I've seen basically the same. It might help if you have a look at this site. Pick a model and click on it and see an exploded view. And if you have any parts left, you'll know it right away, 'cause the pump won't work. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Hondo]

Thanks again, Bird! The picture itself is helpful. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Pat]

FWIT The official nomencalture for those left over parts is "POCKET PARTS." When you are done and there are a few parts left over but the device seems to work... put the extra parts in you POCKET and try not to worry about it.

[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Hondo]

Well, the good news is that there were no "pocket parts." The bad news is that I couldn't see anything wrong (no loose screws, gaping holes, etc.). Oh, well...looks like I'll have to get a repair kit. At least the motor runs. [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]