Minimum Lubrication - Oil Pump with Drip-Sight Glass - Installation (2025)

Do this procedure if you have one or more of these conditions:

• The pump assembly does not operate correctly,
• The oil pump is in the air and lubrication cabinet or in the Consolidated Air-Lubrication Module (CALM) cabinet.
• The oil pump does not have a drip-sight glass installed [1].
• The oil pump assembly has (1) drip-sight glass [2].
• The oil pump assembly has (2) drip-sight glasses [3].

If you replace the oil pump assembly when you install a spindle, also replace the oil lubrication tubes that go to the spindle.

Disconnect the spindle lubrication tube from the fitting on the spindle.

Install the new lubrication tubes from the spindle to the drip-sight glasses.

Use the old tube [1] as a "fish tape" to pull the new tubes [2] through the machine.

NOTE:The illustration shows a minimum lubrication oil pump. The procedure for a Bijur mechanical oil pump is the same.

If the oil pump assembly has (1) or (2) sight glasses, go to Step 2.

If the oil pump assembly does not have a sight glass, disconnect the (2) oil tubes [1]. Disconnect the air supply tube [2] that goes to the reservoir.

If the oil pump assembly has (1) or (2) sight glasses, disconnect the spindle oil tube [1]. If the oil pump assembly has (2) sight glasses, remove the spindle oil tube from each.

Disconnect the tube for the air to the reservoir [2].

If the used oil pump assembly has a float switch [3], disconnect the level sensor cable [1]. Remove the float switch cable connector from the cable bracket [2].

If the used oil pump assembly has a oil level sensor [4], disconnect the cable [5] for the oil level sensor.

Remove the used oil pump assembly [2].

Remove and discard the drip shield [1]

Install the replacement oil pump assembly [4].

It may be necessary to drill a 5/16" (4 mm) hole [3] to accommodate the replacement oil pump assembly [4]. Use the 1/4-20 nut included in the kit.

If the old pump had a proximity level sensor, connect the level sensor cable [1] to the connector panel [2]. Put the extra cable behind the cable manager cover.

If the old pump had a float-switch style sensor, connect the adaptor cable [4] to the level sensor cable on the pump. Put the other end of the adaptor cable into the connector panel. Put the extra cable behind the cable manager cover. Connect the level sensor cable from the machine [3] to the adaptor.

Connect the air supply tube [1]. Connect the (2) oil tubes [2 and 3] to the drip-sight glass fittings. If the replacement oil pump assembly has (2) sight glasses, connect the hoses to both.

Fill the reservoir to themaxline [4].

Use Mobil SHC 625 or Mobil 1, 5W-20. DO NOT use Vactra #2.

NOTE:When you use Vactra #2, contamination ("sludge") collects in the reservoir. This causes the pump assembly to become clogged.

Test the oil pump operation using the procedure that follows.

If you have software lower than Mill 18.02A or Lathe 11.02A, go to step 3. The lubrication test page is only available on software Mill 18.02A and Lathe 11.02A and higher.

Go to the lubrication test page.

Press [F3] to start the spindle lubrication test.

A 30-second timer starts. Do step 4 immediately after 30 seconds.

Push and hold the button on the spindle oil-pump solenoid for approximately 10 seconds.

Hold the button while you look at the drip-sight glasses.

Look at the drip-sight glasses.

If the oil flows correctly, (1-3) drops fall [1] for each drip-sight glass.

If (1-3) or more drops do not fall, activate the solenoid again for approximately 10 seconds. This removes air from the drip-sight glass.

NOTE:If any of the oil-filled tubes have been disconnected, you may need to do this procedure several times until the air is out of the tubes.

When the lubrication pump solenoid is on, oil is pumped into the top of the drip-sight glass.

The oil slowly drips out, one drop at a time.

Each drop is clearly visible. Each cycle produces 1-3 drops. More drops is OK.

The oil falls in to the stream of air [1] from the spindle air solenoid.

The oil droplets [2] are carried up the spindle air and oil tube to lubricate the spindle bearings.