How to Fill and Bleed a Floor Jack

How to fill up your floor jack with hydraulic oil and bleed the air out of it. This will improve the functionality of your jack and prolong its life. It is not hard and you don’t need special tools.
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[@electric8668]

Also a good idea to wipe and clean around the fill hole to eliminate dirt, dust etc from going in the hole when you add oil.

[@Pen_Pusher]

Yes, thanks for mentioning!

[@pendragonshall]

I would recommend for anyone reading to NOT use stop leak in a new floor jack. Only in an older one of several years or if it's starting to leak. Stop leak causes swelling in any rubber or gaskets which while great for older or leaking jacks is not good for perfectly good new or only a couple years old jack. It lengthens the life span on old gaskets but shortens it on new in other words

[@Pen_Pusher]

Thanks Pendragon!

[@godobb]

whats a good alternative

[@gtdodgeviper]

Thanks I was thinking the same thing.

[@oscarp9336]

This jack is branded NAPA in the states. Mine is exactly the same as yours but its painted navy blue. Thanks for the lesson.

[@Pen_Pusher]

This thing is heavy, but solid!

[@louismendoza9795]

Concise direct to the point Nice video

[@Pen_Pusher]

Thanks Louis!

[@josephtarlue6871]

Thanks!

[@Pen_Pusher]

You're welcome!

[@Soulstrings0629]

What are the back two screws for?

[@Pen_Pusher]

They are safety valves for the two cylinders.

[@cammims7645]

I did this, but everytime I try to lift something it doesn't go no higher than 6 inches maybe.. its a 2.5 floor jack

[@Pen_Pusher]

It sounds like you got this resolved, judging by your other comment.

[@cammims7645]

@@Pen_Pusher Yes all fixed now. How often do we need to bleed and fill?

[@Pen_Pusher]

@@cammims7645 Not sure. I would think every few years. This would be the first thing I'd try if it seems not going up as high as before.

[@bilaltariq7819]

@@cammims7645 How did you fix it?

[@cammims7645]

@@bilaltariq7819 The right Spring was stuck. I took the right and left spring apart greased it up real good now working like normal again.

[@mrbreezeet1]

I don't quite understand how full you're supposed to fill these I've read a few different things several different things but I still don't understand it it said something about a secondary cylinder top of the secondary cylinder or something I don't understand it?

[@Pen_Pusher]

There is not supposed to be any air inside. Fill it all the way.

[@simyob]

mine says 12mm below top

[@gabrielneipp9923]

My floor jack has plug instead of a screw. The jack lifts, but the plug shoots out if weight is put on it. I can't see the weight rating as the sticker has faded, but I don't believe it is that as I don't even need to put my full bodyweight on it. Am I doing something wrong, or is it a bumb jack. (Jack is definitely on the older side, although I don't know how much)

[@Pen_Pusher]

Is this a new jack you got? How has it worked in the past? It doesn't sound right.

[@gabrielneipp9923]

@@Pen_Pusher I have not seen it work, my dad gave it to me and I was planning to restore it. If it sounds like my jack is busted then I can just buy a new cylinder or entire jack.

[@Pen_Pusher]

@@gabrielneipp9923 It sounds like it is busted. Maybe time for an upgrade?

[@MrSpandya22]

how do you get the old fluid out first?

[@Rspenesmit]

Get a decent sized oil pan, take the screw or rubber stopper/plug out, some have a solid screen, others a rubber piece instead, after removing that, turn the Jack over and on top of the oil pan, let it drain, maybe 5 - 10 mins max, then lift it up a little and shake it around best you can to get all the oil out. Place it back on the ground and wipe around the hole good fill it with Hydraulic fluid just until it barely over flows the holes, I place a little paper towel or something around the hole to catch the bit of overflow, that way you know it's full, replace the screw or rubber plug, I always get some cleaner & wipe mine down good all over & make sure it all works well, spray all the other moving parts with WD-40 & your ready to lift.

[@simyob]

@@Rspenesmit my instructions on mine says only fill to 12mm below top of hole.

[@Mike-we3rb]

Fixed my Jack cuz wasn’t lifting. Now it can only lift 200 pounds. Not my car

[@markmatias8580]

Is that a canadian geese on the background? Otherwise helpful video.

[@Pen_Pusher]

Yes, in full flight! :)

[@jamiejones6994]

#Jacklivesmatter

[@busancun]

Watched several videos about how to bleed, but different videos show different methods. Which method is the standard one?

[@Pen_Pusher]

Sorry, can't help you there. I can only show what I do. :)

[@michaeldonahay8255]

Can't see cause your hand in why

[@bigpete9577]

Can't see, jack in way

[@theajtruth]

If you can't understand this then you shouldn't be working on cars

[@evelynmahoney3569]

Well intentioned but his hand is blocking what needs to be seen by the viewer.

[@Pen_Pusher]

Sorry Evelyn!

[@xMylox]

lol wheres the bleeding part

[@Pen_Pusher]

Bleeding is to let the air out. :)

[@nineteen-sixty-nine9373]

Theres no such thing as stop leak jack/hydraulic fluid/oil! Also please check the jack with a load on it as it can be very dangerous!

[@Pen_Pusher]

Thanks!

[@Tweek52]

Its at walmart in the same area where you find the stands and floor jacks