Trouble Shooting Your Accusump
Accusump™ not filling or filling too slowly:
It should be noted that the standard electric valve units fill slowly. The design of the valve is to ensure that too
much oil is not diverted from the engine during refill. These units are recommended for pre-oiling and not for surge
control. The EPC electric valve will fill slowly until the pressure threshold is reached at which time it will rapid fill.
Other reasons for slow or no refill:
1) The manual valve is not being opened completely.
2) The EPC is wired incorrectly. When the pressure is above the threshold, the valve should not be energized.
3) The wrong EPC pressure threshold was selected for your engine's pressure range. The pressure threshold
should be below the engines normal operating pressure.
4) The EPC valve may be plumbed incorrectly. The pressure sender should be installed closer to the engine than
the electric valve.
5) The electric valve may be installed backwards. It should be mounted so the arrow on the valve points away
from the Accusump™. When the valve is mounted backwards oil will not enter when it is in the off position.
6) The feed lines or connecting port is too small.
7) The pre-charge is too high and not letting oil enter.
8) The unit is bent, distorted or mounted incorrectly.
Accusump™ not discharging correctly:
1) The manual valve is not open fully.
2) The electric valve is installed incorrectly. The arrow should point away from the Accusump™.
3) The electric valve has become contaminated with engine assembly lube or another foreign substance and is not
working correctly. The unit will need a rebuild in this case.
4) If a check valve is used, it could be installed incorrectly. The arrow on the check valve indicates direction of flow.
5) Electric power is not reaching the electric valve.
6) The EPC valve may be plumbed incorrectly. The pressure sender should be installed closer to the engine than
the electric valve.
7) The hose or ports used to connect the unit are too small.
8) The pre-charge is set too high and no oil has entered the Accusump™.
9) The pre-charge was lost or is too low.
If you are using our EPC electric valve you should note that it operates in a unique way from our other valves. The
EPC valve is designed to only discharge at the threshold pressure of the EPC valve, regardless of the Accusump's
total held pressure. The EPC unit will only discharge when the engine pressure is at or below the threshold pressure.
Accusump™ not holding a pre-charge:
Accusumps™ not holding a pre-charge can be an indication of a leak in the air side of the unit, most common when
remote gauges are used. Review recommendations under the leak section that follows.
Accusump™ leaking:
To locate the source of the leak check all lines, fittings, and gauges. Leaks on the oil side of the unit are likely to produce
an oil drip. Leaks on the air side of the unit can be found by pressurizing the unit to 60 psi then applying soapy
water to each area and checking for bubbles. Inspect and tighten any leaking fittings or gauges. To verify your unit
is leak free we recommend pressurizing the unit to 60 psi then waiting overnight to confirm the unit has retained the
pressure. Note: A temperature change will affect pressure.
Pipe Threads
We recommend using Teflon Tape on the pipe thread to help seal and allow for easy removal. All other methods such
as pipe dope, silicon, and liquid Teflon are not recommended. All fittings that directly thread into the Accusump™ are
pipe threads.
AN Style Fittings
The AN style fittings and hose ends seal on an angled seat. If there is a leak in one of these connections check for
a nick in the sealing seat.
Blow off Valve
If the blow off valve is allowing oil to escape, it is an indication that the unit has been set-up incorrectly. The blow off
valve is rated at 175 psi. and it is rare that they fail. Check your installation instructions and reset your pre-charge.
Under no circumstances should you replace the safety valve with a plug.
Reasons For a Leaky Blow-Off Valve
1) Pre-charge set incorrectly, instructions not followed, review the "Setting the Pre-Charge" section of this manual
on page #5.
2) An air leak is causing the unit to lose it’s pre-charge and become hydraulically locked.
3) Blow-off valve needs tightening or teflon tape to seal.
4) The Accusump™ tube is dented or bent in a way to keep the piston from moving.
5) Contamination is caught in the blow-off valve from previous purging causing a small drip leak.
6) The unit is mounted in a way that twists or distorts the tube that would keep the piston from moving.
7) The unit is mounted next to a high heat source, causing the oil to expand greatly while the valve is closed.
8) The engine system pressure exceeds 175 psi.
9) Defective safety valve, send to the factory to be checked. (very rare)
End Cap
Leaks around the threaded end cap are very rare, unless the unit has been severely damaged. If oil is leaking around
the threaded end cap, the unit should be sent back to the factory to be checked out and have the o-rings seals
replaced, if that is the problem.
Air gauge not reading correctly:
Your Accusump™ air gauge is a commercial gauge to be used as a relative reference and not as a precise
measure of pressure. Over the years we have seen a variation in readings between the different types and different
manufacturers of gauges. Your gauge should be able to give a good indication of the pressure in the airside of the
unit. The gauge can be checked by reading the pressure in the air fill valve with a good tire gauge. A replacement
gauge or more precise gauges are available.
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