
PROBLEM PROBABLE CAUSE SOLUTION
Low pressure • Worn nozzle. • Replace with proper size nozzle.
• Air leak in inlet plumbing. • Tighten fittings and hoses. Use PTFE liquid or tape.
• Pressure gauge inoperative or not registering
accurately.
• Check with new gauge. Replace worn or
damaged gauge.
• Relief valve stuck, partially plugged or improperly
adjusted.
• Clean/adjust relief valve. Replace worn seats/valves
and o-rings.
• Inlet suction strainer (filter) clogged or
improperly sized.
• Clean filter. Use adequate size filter. Check more
frequently.
• Abrasives in pumped liquid. • Install proper filter.
• Leaky discharge hose. • Replace discharge hose with proper rating for system.
• Inadequate liquid supply. • Pressurize inlet.
• Severe cavitation. • Check inlet conditions.
• Worn seals. • Install new seal kit. Increase frequency of service.
• Worn or dirty inlet/discharge valves. • Clean inlet/discharge valves or install new valve kit.
Pulsation • Foreign material trapped in inlet/discharge valves. • Clean inlet/discharge valves or install new valve kit.
Water leak
• Under the manifold • Worn High-Pressure or Lo-Pressure Seals. • Install new seal kit. Increase frequency of service.
• Into the crankcase • Humid air condensing into water inside the crankcase. • Install new oil cap protector. Change oil every 3 months
or 500 hours.
• Excessive wear to High-Pressure and Lo-Pressure seals. • Install new seal kit. Increase frequency of service.
Knocking noise
• Inlet supply • Inadequate inlet liquid supply. • Check liquid supply. Increase line size or pressurize.
• Bearing • Broken or worn bearing. • Replace bearing.
Oil leak
• Crankcase oil seal • Worn crankcase oil seal. • Replace crankcase oil seal.
• Crankshaft oil seal and o-ring • Worn crankshaft oil seal or o-ring on bearing cover. • Remove bearing cover and replace o-ring and/or oil seal.
• Drain plug • Loose drain plug or worn drain plug o-ring. • Tighten drain plug or replace o-ring.
• Bubble gauge • Loose bubble gauge or worn bubble gauge gasket. • Tighten bubble gauge or replace gasket.
• Bearing cover • Loose bearing cover or worn bearing cover o-ring. • Tighten bearing cover or replace o-ring.
• Filler cap • Loose filler cap or excessive oil in crankcase. • Tighten filler cap. Fill crankcase to specified capacity.
Pump runs extremely rough
• Inlet conditions • Restricted inlet or air entering the inlet plumbing • Correct inlet size plumbing. Check for air tight seal.
• Pump valves • Stuck inlet/discharge valves. • Clean out foreign material or install new valve kit.
• Pump seals • Leaking High-Pressure or Lo-Pressure seals. • Install new seal kit. Increase frequency of service.
Premature seal failure • Scored plunger. • Replace plunger.
• Over pressure to inlet manifold. • Reduce inlet pressure per specifications.
• Abrasive material in the liquid being pumped. • Install proper filtration at pump inlet and clean regularly.
• Excessive pressure and/or temperature of
pumped liquid.
• Check pressure and inlet liquid temperature.
• Running pump dry. • DO NOT RUN PUMP WITHOUT LIQUID.
• Starving pump of adequate liquid. • Increase hose one size larger than inlet port size or
pressurize.
• Eroded manifold. • Replace manifold. Check liquid compatibility.
PN 31378 Rev C7/19
CAT PUMPS
1681 94TH LANE N.E. MINNEAPOLIS, MN 554494324
PHONE 763 7805440 FAX 763 7802958
e-mail: techsupport@catpumps.com
www.catpumps.com
For International Inquiries go to www.catpumps.com and navigate to the “Contact Us” link.
DIAGNOSIS AND MAINTENANCE
One of the most important steps in a high pressure system is to establish a regular maintenance program. This will vary slightly with each system
and is determined by various elements such as the duty cycle, the liquid being pumped, the actual specifications vs rated specifications of the
pump, the ambient conditions, the inlet conditions and the accessories in the system. A careful review of the necessary inlet conditions and
protection devices required before the system is installed will eliminate many potential problems. Cat Pumps are very easy pumps to service and
require far less frequent service than most pumps. Typically, only common tools are required, making in-field service convenient, however, there are
a few custom tools, special to certain models, that do simplify the process. This service manual is designed to assist you with the disassembly and
reassembly of your pump. The following guide will assist in determining the cause and remedy to various operating conditions. You can also review
our FAQ or SERVICE sections on our WEB SITE for more facts or contact Cat Pumps directly.