A common question we receive at Provac is "When do I need to change the oil in my oil sealed rotary vane vacuum pump?"
Answer: The frequency of oil changes is different for each application. The best way to figure out what frequency works for your organization is to pay attention to the color of your oil. Change in color can indicate contamination or thermal breakdown of the vacuum fluid which leads to decreased pumping quality. If left unchanged, the used fluid can lessen the lifespan of your rotary vane vacuum pump. We recommend changing the oil as soon as you see the color changing.
Here are some good practices to follow when changing your oil:
Tip: Draining the oil while the pump is still warm/hot will maximize the amount of oil you can drain out of the pump.
Standard draining procedure:
1) Remove drain plug and drain oil from oil case. Use caution when draining oil to prevent oil spills and burns. Make sure the inlet and exhaust are not obstructed to allow for the best flow.
2) Replace drain plug and jog the pump for 1-2 seconds (plug pump in). This will kick loose the condensables within the pump module.
3) Remove drain plug and drain the remaining oil/condensables.
4) Replace drain plug and fill pump with oil. Consult your manual for fill amount.
Depending on the level of contamination, it may be necessary to change your oil more than once to clear out more contaminants.
