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#11
I agree with Layback Bear on the Chinese issue. There are really nice aluminum floor jacks available for less than $100. Similar to the kind NASCAR pit crews use(also Chinese though)
Yeah, I think it's still the check ball but a leaking pump seal could give you the same symptom. But a leaking seal on the pump will show oil around the plunger. The bodies are cast steel and it's not uncommon for the import products to contain sand or slag. This works it's way into the valve and pump. The check ball lifts to allow fluid into the pump when the handle is raised. When the handle is pressed down to pressurize the cylinder, the check ball is supposed to close. If there's dirt under the ball, it won't seal and the pump pressure leaks back into the reservoir. So there's little or no pressurization of the cylinder.
I don't know of any one that makes a seal kit for the imports. It's just not worth it. They'll be metric and if you do have to replace them, you'll just have to match them up. (I doubt any one will have listings.) Most hydraulic distributors should have the seals. The bearing distributor I use carries a selection of seals too. I think you'll find that replacement seals will cost more than you probably paid for the jack though.
In any case, don't load the jack when doing the clearing. You can't any way--The release valve needs to be open. The procedure is simply to flush fluid back and forth through the pump to dislodge debris from the check ball and seat. After that, then you can load test it. If it holds then do the cleaning procedure because you know it's dirt under the ball.
Unlike most people, I don't use the floor jack in the garage (don't have one), I keep it in the vehicle in-lieu of a regular jack, because of it's greater ease of use.
The better floor jacks not only cost much more, but they are too heavy and large to keep in the vehicle. However, even though it only cost me ~$40 new, that is still somewhat expensive for a jack that only worked twice.
Even the good ones can have this problem over time. I have several old "made in USA" floor jacks put back in use just by doing the same thing. It does work. I hope it works for you. Let me know one way or the other.
Back to work - More sandblasting to do.
TTFN
I think being unused for long periods would be detrimental to a jack. The inner seal may deteriorate or harden or the fluid could absorb water and rust the innards.
carwiz,
It appears that your tips worked. At least it held pressure for 10-15 minutes after exercising it as you described. I guess that means that I need to wash it out as mentioned and refill it.