Harbor Freight Tools 3878 User manual

SELF-PRIMING
SIPHON PUMP
ASSEMBLY and OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Visit ourWeb site at http://www.harborfreight.com
For technical questions and replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353
3878
®
Copyright © 2006 by Harbor FreightTools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this
manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form
without the express written consent of Harbor FreightTools.
Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.

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SKU 3878
Specifications
Save This Manual
You will need the manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly instructions,
operating and maintenance procedures, parts list and diagram. Keep your invoice with this
manual. Write the invoice number on the inside of the front cover. Keep the manual and
invoice in a safe and dry place for future reference.
Safety Warnings and Precautions
WARNING: When using tool, basic safety precautions should always be followed to
reduce the risk of personal injury and damage to equipment.
Read all instructions before using this tool!
1. Keep work area clean. Cluttered areas invite injuries.
2. Observe work area conditions. Keep work area well lighted. Do not siphon
flammable liquids near any heat or spark source. Do not smoke or allow smokers in
the vicinity of the Siphon Pump while siphoning flammable liquids.
3. Keep children away. Children must never be allowed in the work area. Do not let
them handle the Siphon Pump.
4. Store idle equipment. Always lock up the Siphon Pump and keep out of reach of
children.
5. Use the right tool for the job. Do not attempt to force a small tool or attachment to do
the work of a larger industrial tool. There are certain applications for which this tool
was designed. It will do the job better and more safely at the rate for which it was
intended. Do not modify this tool and do not use this tool for a purpose for which it was
not intended.
6. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry as they can be caught in
moving parts. Protective, electrically non-conductive clothes and non-skid footwear
are recommended when working. Wear restrictive hair covering to contain long hair.
7. Use eye and ear protection. Always wear ANSI-approved impact safety goggles.
Wear an ANSI-approved dust mask or respirator when working around chemical dusts
and mists.
8. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Do not reach over
or across hoses.
Intake Hose 50” L x 5/16” D
Discharge Hose 50” L x 5/16” D
Air Pressure Hose 16”with 90° Snap/Shut Valve
Dipstick Tube 31” L x 1/4” D

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SKU 3878
9. Maintain tools with care. Keep Siphon Pump clean for better and safer performance.
Follow instructions for changing accessories.Inspect tool hoses periodically, and if
damaged, have them repaired by an authorized technician.The handle must be kept
clean, dry, and free from oil and grease at all times.
10. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, use common sense.Do not operate any tool
when you are tired.
11. Check for damaged parts. Before using any tool, any part that appears damaged
should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its
intended function. Check for alignment and binding of moving parts; any broken parts
or mounting fixtures; and any other condition that may affect proper operation.Any
part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by a qualified technician.
12. Guard against electric shock. Prevent body contact with grounded surfaces such as
pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigerator enclosures.
13. Replacement parts and accessories. When servicing, use only identical
replacement parts.Use of any other parts will void the warranty. Only use accessories
intended for use with this tool. Approved accessories are available from Harbor
Freight Tools.
14. Do not operate Siphon Pump if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Read
warning labels on prescriptions to determine if your judgment or reflexes are impaired
while taking drugs. If there is any doubt, do not operate the Siphon Pump.
15. Maintenance. For your safety, maintenance should be performed regularly by a
qualified technician.
16. Self Priming Pump. This pump is self priming. DANGER!! Attempting to prime the
pump by using your mouth on the hose could result in severe illness or death.
17. Only transfer and pump gasoline in a well-ventilated area. Make sure your work
area is well-ventilated and clear of any flammable materials. WARNING!! Gasoline
fumes are highly flammable and subject to possible explosion.
18. Wash Pump after use. Always wash both hoses and Pump thoroughly with soap and
water and then air dry before re-using the Pump and hoses.
19. Store liquids in the proper container. When transfering gasoline, only put gasoline
in an approved container. Never store gasoline in a glass container.
20. Let engine cool. When transferring oil, always let the vehicle’s engine and all other
components, such as oil, cool before using the Pump. When finished, clean the Pump
of oil throroughly.
Warning:The warnings,cautions,and instructions discussed in this instruction manual
cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be under-
stood by the operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be
built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.

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SKU 3878
Operation
Unpacking
When unpacking, check to make sure the parts listed on page 6 are included.If any parts
are missing or broken, please call Harbor FreightTools at the number on the cover of this
manual as soon as possible.
To Assemble:
1.Insert one end of the clear Intake Hose (2) into a black Hose Connector (5).Insert the
hose with connector into the top intake valve of the Pump (1) and tighten securely. See
Figure 1
2.Repeat Step 1 using the clear Discharge Hose (3), except insert this hose with connector
into the bottom discharge valve of the Pump (1) and tighten securely.
3.To begin the siphon process, put the Intake Hose (2) into the liquid to be transferred.Put
the Discharge Hose (3) into the location where the liquid is to go. Please note: Make sure
that the Discharge Hose (3) is positioned lower than the Intake Hose (2).
4.Prime the Siphon Pump (1) with 3 to 4 pumps of the plunger at the top of the Pump.Once
the liquid begins to flow, it will transfer without further pumping.
Figure 1
Pump (1)
Hose Connector (5)
Intake Hose (2)

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SKU 3878
WHEN SIPHONING GAS:
Follow Steps 1-4 listed on page 4. After each use, pump out the remaining residue of gas
from both the Intake Hose (2) and Discharge Hose (3). Wash thoroughly with soap and
water and let air dry before storing the Pump.
Please note: Many cars have a baffle (small metal flap) in their gas tank inlet to prevent a
siphoning tube from being inserted. Use a screwdriver (not included) to hold open the baffle
when siphoning.
TO CHANGE OIL:
1.Follow Steps 1-2 and then insert the Dipstick Connector (4) into one end of the Dipstick
Tube (7). Insert the Dipstick Connector (4) into the end of the Intake Hose (2). See Figure 2.
2.Insert the other end of the DipstickTube (7) into the engine dipstick hole until it reaches
the bottom of the crankcase. Place the Discharge Hose (3) into the oil drain pan and begin
topump.
TO USE AS AIR PUMP:
1.Insert the Air Pressure Hose (6) into a Hose Connector (5) and then insert both into the
discharge nozzle (bottom valve on Pump). See Figure 3.
2.Tighten securely and begin pumping.Please note: To inflate footballs, beach balls, etc.,
place an inflation needle in the threaded adapter on the end of the Air Pressure Hose (6)
and begin pumping. Warning: Always adhere to the inflatable item’s recommended PSI
rating. Over-inflating could result in damage to item or a possible explosion and result in
serious injury.
Dipstick Connector (4)
Figure 2
Intake Hose (2)
Dipstick Tube (7)
Figure 3
Hose Connector (5)
Air Pressure Hose (6)
Pump (1)

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SKU 3878
NOTE: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only and are not available
individually as replacement parts.
PLEASE READTHE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
THEMANUFACTURERAND/OR DISTRIBUTORHAS PROVIDEDTHEPARTS DIAGRAMINTHIS
MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR DISTRIBU-
TORMAKES ANYREPRESENTATION ORWARRANTY OFANY KINDTOTHE BUYERTHAT HE
OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT OR THAT HE OR SHE IS
QUALIFIED TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER
AND/ORDISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLYSTATESTHATALLREPAIRSANDPARTSREPLACEMENTS
SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSEDTECHNICIANS AND NOT BYTHE
BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER
REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO, OR ARISING
OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTSTHERETO.
Assembly Drawing and Parts List
Parts List
1. To clean, attach both hoses to the Pump and siphon warm, soapy water through the Pump
until it comes out clean. Repeat the process with clean water to wash out the soap.
2. Wipe down the Pump and hoses with a lint free cloth. Allow to air dry and keep the unit
disassembled during storage. Allow ample time for residual fumes to dissipate. Store away
from heat or spark sources.
Maintenance
Part # Description Qty.
1 Pump 1
2 Intake Hose 1
3 Discharge Hose 1
4 Dipstick Connector 1
5 Hose Connectors 2
6 Air Pressure Hose 1
7 Dipstick Tube 1
8 Air Nozzle 1
1
5
3
4
2
67
8