Machines don’t wait for a good time to break down. A hydraulic pump can work fine one moment and then stop in the middle of a job, leaving the whole system stuck. When this happens, the downtime eats up the time, money, and energy.
Hydraulic pumps are at the heart of many machines. If the pump doesn’t work, nothing else will. That’s why knowing how to troubleshoot problems quickly is so important. Remember to do rights checks and fixes, and this way, most issues can be solved before they turn into costly repairs.
In this blog, you’ll get to know the most common hydraulic pump problems, the signs to look for, and simple steps to get things running again.
How to Troubleshoot a Hydraulic Pump?
When a hydraulic pump starts acting up, it is always better to move step by step instead of trying to guess the problem. A hydraulic pump will give signs before it fails completely, like noise, leaks, heat and power loss. Follow a clear process, and you will be able to fix the issue quickly and avoid having long downtime.
1. Spot the Symptoms
Start by paying attention to what the machine is doing. Is the hydraulic pump noisy? Leaking oil? Is the system moving more slowly than usual or not building pressure at all? Each symptom will point to a different type of problem. Noting these signs early will make the rest of the troubleshooting easier.
2. Check the Fluid
The oil is where most hydraulic pump issues start. Low fluid levels, dirty oil, or air mixed into the oil can cause serious issues. Open the reservoir and check the fluid level. If it’s low, refill with the correct hydraulic fluid. If the oil looks milky, foamy, or has dirt in it, the pump is probably running with contamination or air in the system. Fixing this can sometimes solve the problem right away.
3. Inspect the Pump and Lines
Next, look over the hydraulic pump and the lines connected to it. Check the hoses for cracks or bulges. Check seals and fittings for leaks. Pay close attention to the suction line. Even a small air leak there can lead to cavitation, which will cause noise, vibration, and damage inside the pump.
4. Test Pressure and Flow
If everything looks fine on the outside, it’s time to test the performance. Use a pressure gauge and flow meter to check if the hydraulic pump is working as it should. Low pressure means worn-out seals, clogged filters, or internal wear inside the pump. If the flow is weak, then it might be a sign of internal damage or blockage.
5. Decide on Repair or Replacement
Once you’ve narrowed down the cause, you’ll know if it’s a small fix or a bigger job. Many hydraulic pump problems, like replacing a seal or changing a clogged filter, can be handled on-site. But if you find big wear, cracked parts, or continuous failure, the pump may need to be rebuilt or replaced.
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Common Hydraulic Pump Problems and Fixes
Every hydraulic pump has its moments. One day it runs smoothly, and the next day it starts to act strangely. Pumps usually don’t fail without showing some warning signs. If you catch them early, you can solve the problem before it breaks down.
1. Pump not Building Pressure
This is one of the most frustrating problems. You move the controls, but the machine feels weak or doesn’t move at all. In many cases, it’s something simple, like air trapped in the system, seals that have worn out, or a clogged filter.
Fix: The fix usually starts with bleeding the air, swapping seals, and checking the filter. If it still doesn’t work, the pump itself might be wearing out on the inside.
2. Pump Making a Lot of Noise
A healthy pump is silent. If you hear whining, rattling, or that hollow “gravel” sound, then it’s mostly because the pump is sucking air or it doesn’t have enough oil. Sometimes it’s just misaligned.
Fix: The first step is to top up the oil and check the suction line for cracks or loose fittings. If the noise stays, alignment or internal wear could be the reason.
3. Pump Overheating
When a pump runs hot, you will be able to notice it quickly. The housing feels hotter than normal, and sometimes the oil smells burned. Heat usually builds up when the wrong fluid is used, cooling is poor, or when the pump is working harder than it should.
Fix: The simple fixes are switching to the correct oil, improving airflow and checking the system load.
4. Leaking Oil
A few issues, like a hydraulic leak, are obvious. Oil on the floor, drops on the pump body, or low oil levels tell the story. Most of the time, it’s seals, hoses, or fittings that have loosened up.
Fix: Tightening connections or replacing the worn parts usually solves it.
5. Slow Movement
If the machine isn’t moving smoothly, sometimes it’s fast, slow, or just stops mid-motion. Then the pump might be having dirty oil, blocked filters, or sticky valves.
Fix: A system flush and new filters usually clear things up, but it’s also worth checking the valves for wear.
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Preventive Maintenance Tips to Avoid Pump Failure
Most hydraulic pump failures build up slowly because of small things that mostly go unnoticed, like low oil, dirty filters, and worn seals. Regular checks and small fixes can help keep the pump running longer.
There are a few habits you can follow:
- Check fluid levels
A pump runs perfectly with the right amount of oil. Low fluid levels lead to air entering the system, which then causes noise, heat, and damage inside the pump.
- Keep the oil clean
Contaminated oil is one of the biggest reasons for hydraulic pump problems. Dirt, water, and debris in the oil wear out parts faster. Change oil at the recommended intervals and make sure the reservoir is sealed properly.
- Replace filters on time
Filters protect the pump from dirt. Once they get clogged, the system starts to have struggles, pressure drops, and the pump will start to wear out. Replacing the filters regularly is an easy and cheap way to avoid bigger issues.
- Check hoses and seals
A small leak can turn into a major failure later. Check the hoses, fittings, and seals for cracks, swelling, or loose connections. Fixing them early will avoid both fluid loss and safety risks.
- Look at the temperature and noise
Pumps that run hot or make unusual sounds have something wrong. Don’t ignore these signs. Addressing them early usually prevents more serious damage.
- Keep a maintenance log
It’s easy to forget when oil was last changed or when filters were replaced. A simple log helps track service and keeps the pump on schedule.
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When to Call a Professional?
There’s a limit to what you can do on your own with a hydraulic pump. Topping up oil, swapping a filter, or tightening a fitting are quick jobs that are easy to handle. But if you have gone through the basics and the pump still isn’t working properly, then it’s time to call a technician.
A pump that keeps losing pressure, runs hot no matter what you try, or shows signs of serious internal wear usually needs proper attention. These are not the problems you can solve with a wrench on-site. This is where a repair shop comes in. They have the tools to strip the pump down, check it under load, and rebuild it if needed.
Another point is downtime. If the machine is critical and every hour it sits costs you money, then waiting around to experiment is not the best option. Calling in a professional early will save time and bigger repair costs later.
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Final Thoughts
A hydraulic pump usually tells you when something’s wrong. Strange noises, leaks, loss of power, or too much heat are all signals you shouldn’t ignore. Going step by step with troubleshooting mostly gets the pump back in shape without too much delay.
But if the same problem keeps showing up or the pump is badly worn inside, it’s better to hand it over to people who work on these systems every day. That way, the machine gets fixed right, and you avoid wasting time and money hashing the issue yourself.
Hydraulic pumps are part of Delange’s Industries’ daily work. We can diagnose tricky issues, repair and rebuild pumps to make sure machines get back to running smoothly. If your pump is not responding to quick fixes, then let our team step in and get it sorted.
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