Vacuum Pump Maintenance Checklists

Introduction

Contaminants are detrimental to the safety, yield, reliability and sustainability of your vacuum pump system, which makes it critical to commit to an ongoing system maintenance plan. As each vacuum pump is different and depends on the application it’s used for, your maintenance plan will be unique to the system it’s intended for. High and extremely-high vacuum pumps such as turbomolecular or ion getter pumps will require completely different maintenance treatments to their rough and medium pump counterparts. That said, there are two maintenance mainstays that apply across the board:

Higher temperatures can hinder your pump's ability to pull its full vacuum, so make sure to keep it cool. If the pump is enclosed, use fan cooling; if not, fresh air will suffice. But never pump vapours while pump is still cold.
As vacuum pumps require lubrication for optimal performance and protection, commit to regular oil inspections and changes.

The below checklist will expand on the specific components and areas of a vacuum pump that should be checked and maintained regularly. For supplementary information on effective maintenance and safety plans, read our Ultimate Guide to Vacuum System Maintenance & Safety.

Please fill out the form for information that’s specific to your pump and one of our consultants will be in touch shortly.

Oil Sealed Rotary Vane Pump

Check pump oil level
Check for oil leaks in front shaft seal:
Check for oil leaks between oil casing and coupling housing
Check oil and exhaust filters
Record oil type
Compare oil filter temperature to pump casing temperature
Check oil Condition (chart is for hydrocarbon only) oil change is required when oil is a dark tea colour (#4 - see image above)
Check motor coupling for running noises
Check motor fan cowl and cooling fans
Check the oil filter for any leaks
Check pump for level mounting
Check exhaust filters
Check gas ballst function/clean gas ballast filter
Clean dirt trap
Check function of anti-suck back valve
Check pump temperature at sight glass area
Visually inspect all flat gaskets on drain/fill plugs
Check float valve (if applicable)
Check drive belts for wear, tension
Check cooling water (if applicable)
Check heat exchanger/pump for water leaks (if applicable)
Check temperature reading at thermal valve
Check radiator cleanliness/airflow
Visually check and record cleanliness of area where pump is used

For more tips about working with Rotary Vane Pumps, read our blog here.

Dry Vacuum Pumps

Check pump oil level - top pump, gear side
Check pump oil level - top pump, motor side
Check oil level - lower pump, gear side
Check oil level - lower pump, motor side
Check for oil leaks
Record oil type
Check oil Condition (chart is for hydrocarbon only) oil change is required when oil is a dark tea colour (#4 - see image above)
Check for abnormal operating noise
Check filter in the cooling water pressure reducer
Check purge gas hoses
Check/replace filter cartridge in purge gas pressure reducer
Check/clean gas ballast filter
Check water hoses
Check water flowrate (flow specified in manual)
Visually check flat gasket on drain/fill plugs for damage
Check for faults/alarms/temperature at the Frequency Converter (where applicable)
Visually check and record cleanliness of area where used

Dry Compressing Fore Pumps

Check oil Condition (chart is for hydrocarbon only) oil change is required when oil is a dark tea colour (#4 - see image above)
Check pump oil level
Check the oil filter for any leaks
Record oil type
Check coolant level in the expansion valve
Check for un-ordinary running noises
Check N2 flow regulator (when applicable)
Check N2 pressure regulator (when applicable)
Check/clean gas ballast filter:
Check cooling water piping:
Check water hoses:
Check water flowrate (flow specified in manual)
Check pump temperature at sight glass area
Check for faults/alarms/temperature at the Frequency Converter (where applicable)
Visually check and record cleanliness of area where used

Find out more about how dry vacuum pumps are used in the food industry in our blog.

Roots Pumps

Check pump oil level (Gear, side, all)
Oil level (Motor side)
Check oil Condition (chart is for hydrocarbon only) oil change is required when oil is a dark tea colour (#4 - see image above)
Check coupling for running noises
Clean motor fan cowl and cooling fins
Check the oil level in the shaft sealing ring housing oil cup
Check for oil leakage in shaft seal housing
Review and clean pumping chamber if possible
Review and clean bypass valve if possible
Check the water flow
Check pump temperature at sight glass area
Check all flat gaskets on drain/fill plugs and perform damage inspection
Record Frequency Converter data (where applicable)

Click here to learn more about the working principle of multistage roots pumps.

Screw Pumps

Check pump oil level
Check the oil filter for any leaks
Record oil type
Check oil Condition (chart is for hydrocarbon only) oil change is required when oil is a dark tea colour (#4 - see image above)
Inspect weep hole filter (replace if needed)
Inspect oil overflow reservoir (drain and document)
Check for un-ordinary running noises
Record vibration level
Record operating hours
Check cooler for any accumulated dirt
Check/clean gas ballast filter
Check silencer for any condensation
Check/clean dust filter in intake line
Check water filter (water cooled pumps only)
Check water hoses
Check water flowrate (flow specified in manual)
Check for faults/alarms/temperature on elctronic monitor like SP Guard
Visually check and record cleanliness of area where used

Find out more about screw pumps by reading this blog.

Turbomolecular Pumps

Check cooling fan for dirt and operation
Check for any water leaks (when applicable)
Check water flowrate (flow specified in manual)
Check water temperature for correct range
Check for un-ordinary running noises
Check internal motor temperature
Check internal bearings temperature
Check motor current
Check vibration level of pump using e.g. Schenck Vibrotest Equipment
Change lower bearing (where possible, use service kit of manufacturer)
Check main fuse if controller will not come on (converters)
Check and record any error codes on the converter, if possible read errors via software.

Want to find out more about the working principles and applications of turbomolecular pumps? Read our blog here.

Scroll Pumps

Check inlet for cleanliness/contamination
Remove fan cover, check pump for rotation/roughness
Check/clean gas ballast filter
Check pump temperature at pin crank (< 55˚C)
Visually check and record cleanliness of area where used

If you want to find out more about the working principles of scroll pumps, click here.

Pump Maintenance Enquiry

Do you have any questions about the maintenance of your pump? Fill in the form below to get in touch with our vacuum science experts.