How do you fill a grease gun

Post by **MGFmad** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 4:58 pm

I have not had much need for a grease gun before owning the Minor and when I did, I borrowed a friends cartridge type.

I got a gun as a Christmas present

But cannot get it to work

Machine Mart have thoughtfully not bothered to include instructions.

Whats the procedure for filling these devices....thanks

Post by **Matt** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 6:19 pm

normally you unscrew the top (bit with the handle attached), put the tube into the tub of grease and pull the handle on the bottom.

Generall either a chain or a bar will come out and it can be "notched" into position, you then screw the top back on and unnotch the chain/bar

There are also ones where you pull the handle and there is a little tab which catches and you have to push it down to get the gun to push on the grease

I hope that helps?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:04 pm

It 'can' be filled from a tub of grease - but that's a messy business. The cartridge- as above - is the best option.

Post by **MGFmad** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:15 pm

Thanks for the replies.

I had another look at the gun - there is a small valve on the top - I think it acts as a sort of bleed valve (ball bearing on a spring) I think this is stuck as if I blow the airline through where the grease would come up from the 'tank' nothing happens - If I cannot get air through at about 90psi, there is no way that any grease will come out!

Looks like a trip to Machine Mart is on.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:30 pm

The grease gun can develop very much more than 90 psi!

Post by **Lukey** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:34 pm

I've been wondering when I put oil in the steering rack do I just fill a normal grease gun with hypoid 90 oil?

Post by **MGFmad** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:33 pm

bmcecosse wrote:The grease gun can develop very much more than 90 psi!

True but this was putting air through the inlet or pick up hole from the grease 'tank' which should then exit through the outlet that feeds the tube that attaches to the grease nipples. I could not get any air to come out. If I put air in through the outlet (like reverse flushing!) air will come out of the bleed valve on top of the gun rather than the pick up from the grease tank - I think that because of this, the little valve is blocked.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:53 am

To answer Lukey - just use grease in the rack! The later identical design Mini racks were all specified for grease - it's much less messy, and less likely to run out. And it may quieten any rattles more effectively! If you really feel you must use oil - the yes, you need to get it into the gun which is a messy business, and then clean it out afterwards. Or have a dedicated gun of course - but it does tend to leak out!

Post by **Lukey** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:13 pm

Ta bmc, It's the one thing I had neglected on the minor because I wasn't sure.

Post by **mike.perry** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 12:01 am

How much grease does a rack take?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 1:00 pm

Just a few strokes now and again - being grease it doesn't run out.

Post by **MGFmad** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:10 pm

An update on the grease gun problem!

I took it back to the shop and got a replacement. The new one is working fine - glad there was something wrong, thought I was going mad, not being able to get a simple grease gun to work!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:59 pm

Great success!

Post by **Dean** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:57 am

bmcecosse wrote:To answer Lukey - just use grease in the rack! The later identical design Mini racks were all specified for grease - it's much less messy, and less likely to run out. And it may quieten any rattles more effectively! If you really feel you must use oil - the yes, you need to get it into the gun which is a messy business, and then clean it out afterwards. Or have a dedicated gun of course - but it does tend to leak out!

Thank you Bmcecosse... I was having the same thoughts as Lukey.... now I can just "get on with it".