Bicycle Pump Trouble Shooting & Pump Repair
00:15 Pump gauge goes way up but no air into tir
00:40 Air leak around pump attachment to valve
01:16 No air flow: Repair / Replace pump piston o-ring gasket
04:32 No air flow: Silca type pumps - Recondition / Replace felt piston head
04:52 No air flow: Chuck Replacement
08:38 No air flow: Topeak Smart Head (chuck and tubing replacement kit)
Quick Fix that you can do:
1. Most common it to push down on bicycle floor pump handle but no air goes into tire and gauge pressure goes way up: Presta valves are notorious for sticking preventing air flow. Remove the chuck (pump head) and tap the valve. Then re-pump.
2. Another problem is leaking bicycle pump. Reconnect the pump chuck and try again. If that fails and air is leaking out around the valve, most likely the rubber gasket inside of the chuck is worn. We show you a quick fix with Teflon tape (plumbers’ tape in the upper right).
3. Push down on pump handle but no air flow and gauge is still on 0. Remove the bike pump cylinder head and look at the gasket at the end of the pump rod. If it's a small rubber gasket in fair to good condition, use some silicon synthetic grease on the O-ring gasket. Most other greases contain petroleum products that may deteriorate the rubber. If you don't have a silicon grease, I suppose you can try some Vaseline. Try once more. If the rubber gasket is worn, you'll need to measure it and order one from the pump manufacturer or take it to your local bike or hardware store to get an exact replacement. Remove the old gasket and replace with the new. Again, grease as shown before.
4. If you have a Silca pump, look at the leather gasket at the end of the pump rod. It may well have seen better days. Measure the diameter of the gasket. You can order a replacement (which will be slightly larger than your measurement since the gasket is worn) for under $5. Here how to replace the gasket.
Silca: • MGTV Special Episode: ...
Silca Pump Head: • Ask the Expert: Ep 005...
Can used leather conditioner, Vaseline, or high-quality synthetic motor oil
731 leather gaskets
Work in the conditioner until you can turn it inside out. Go slow working in the conditioner so you won't tear the gasket when turn it inside out.
Put on washer, do not force over threads but turn it as if you were screwing it on
Tighten with ratcheted firmly.
Guide the leather gasket in starting at one edge of the gasket
4. Check the pump tubing for wear and cracks. Replacement kits including tubing and chuck (pump head) are available from Topeak (on Amazon or about $35).
5. If the tubing looks good, pump while looking at and feeling around the chuck. If you notice problems with the chuck itself, replacements can be obtained of eBay for less than $5. We take a closer look at chuck replacement. We show you how to replace chuck head and problems you may encounter
6. Topeak Smart Head Kit (chuck and tubing replacement):
The kit allows replacement of the tubing & chuck and with multiple adapters. In addition you'll need a 14 mm box wrench, pliers (optional), and silicon grease. As previously mentioned, one can substitute Vaseline or a light synthetic motor oil but stay away from other petroleum products that may damage the rubber of the tubing or gaskets. Attach the Presta or Schrader adapter in the valve head. At the other end, place the plastic locknut on the Smart Head tubing, small end first. Lubricate the SmartHead connector and attach to the smart hose as shown. There are instructions on using their adapters for connecting the hose directly to the pump base which have been able to do but the adapters don't always have the correct threading to allow this. The way to connect the SmartHead is to cut the pump tubing, slide on the stainless-steel clamp. Lubricate the HCI lubricated adapter and insert into the cut end of the tubing and then move the clamp up and tighten. Lubricate the threads of the SmartHead adapter and screw in place (a little tricky since the entire housing and pump head must turn). Other options are shown in the instructions. My overall rating: Costly and not always work