Judging from some of the posts on the forum, it seems that a lot of members have problems with their hydraulic lift especially after changing the oil. The following guides may help avoid possible unnecessary work of dismantling and checking the valves in the valve chest when all that may be necessary is to expel air from the system By way of explanation on ‘livedrive’ models, the pump is constant and is active as soon as the engine starts. As it takes a short while for the oil to reach the pump and circulate, this is the point where the air gets in As a first step after oil and filter change the following bleed procedure is suggested.
- Run the engine at around 1000 rpm WITH THE LEVER IN LOWER POSITION.
- Slacken the hexagon plug on the top of the casting of the ‘camels hump’ as we call it, (the rear plug on the highest part of this casting situated between the quadrant and seat on top of the axle)
- Raise the lever right back until oil is expelled with no air, this is an oil feed point, and re-tighten the hexagon plug.
- Return the hydraulic lever to the ‘hold’ position, centre of quadrant, and slacken the nipple that looks like a large grease nipple behind the 3-way-valve unit on the clutch pedal side. This nipple may be obscured with dirt as it appears to be in a ‘trough’ facing forward where the casting of the axle curves down to the valve unit.
- Raise the lever again until oil with no air appears and re-tighten the nipple before letting the lever go. This may have to be done a couple of times depending on how much air is in the system but normally it cures it first time as long as time is taken to let the oil flow clear.
Thanks to Powerrabbitt for the above information.
