Excessive Pump Wear

1. Oil not properly filtered, causing it to get contaminated with dirt and other abrasive materials.  These circulate through pump and other components causing rapid wear.
2. Viscosity of oil too low
3. Pump not rated for pressures at which system is operating
4. Pump/prime mover misalignment or drive belt too tight
5. Air being drawn into pump from a leaking suction line or fitting, or low reservoir fluid level

Excessive Pump Noise

1. Check for air leaks in the suction line.  Flood inlet connections with oil from reservoir; when oil is pored over a leak point, pump noise should be reduced momentarily.
2. Poor alignment of pump/prime mover
3. Verify compatibility of oil to components in the system
4. Unloading valve or relief set too high.  User a reliable, calibrated pressure gauge to check operating pressure.  Relief valves may have been adjusted with a damaged gauge and be out of acceptable operating range.  Check any unloading devices for proper operation.
5. Reservoir oil aerated, caused by low fluid level in reservoir or return lines terminating above fluid level inside reservoir
6. Sticking or worn vanes, damaged cam ring (vane pumps)
7. Damaged or worn gears or housing (gear pumps)
8. Other damaged pump components
9. Failing bearings
10. Improper pump rotation
11. Components installed improperly
12. Suction line restriction, causing cavitation
13. Oil too thick because it is cold or improperly selected
14. Pump turning at excessive speeds
15. Air entering pump through shaft seal
16. Inlet line too small.  Inlet lines should be sized too keep fluid velocity under 5 feet per second.
17. Shutoff valve on flooded suction systems not fully opened
18. Bolts on pump housing loose or torqued improperly during assembly
19. Case drain port improperly positioned during pump installation, allowing air to be trapped inside pump housing.  Case drain should be oriented so it is at the highest possible point on the pump.

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