Hi . I have a problem with the non return valve on a Tilley female thread pump on a TL14 table lamp . The plunger simply rises back up after each stroke so I presume the valve is leaking . On the lower end of the pump body there is a hexagon with two holes drilled in it . In the centre of the hexagon I can see the end of the plunger valve . I presume I must remove the hexagon to gain access to the valve seal rubber . All attempts to do this have failed . I have oiled , heated , tapped etc but no joy . It almost looks as though it is all in one piece !! Can this be possible ? How do I overcome this problem ? I have tried the lamp (now restored) with a pump from my R1 and it works fine . The R1 pump although female thread is different at the lower end , having a knurned nut that removes easily to get to the non return valve . Was this a mod by Tilley perhaps ? Hoping someone can help . Thanks to all .
The hexagon should remove, just try a vice with Aluminium prisms to hold the pump Tube without damaging it and unscrew the hexagon with pliers.
Those hexagons do seize sometimes, but I have always been able to remove them with a spanner or grips or pliers. There are many minor variations to Tilley pumps and I keep at least one example of each variation that I find, Jeff.
Yes - it should unscrew as the others have said. My technique is to hold the hexagon in a vice, which allows you a good hand grip on the cylinder. Ian
How would you call it? Nut pliers? In Germany it is a "Zangenschlüssel". I prefer this one because I don't have imperial sized spanners
Just to give another variation on the theme. I call them 'multigrips'. I've seen these Knipex pliers before and I like the way the jaws stay parallel when opening and closing. Expensive though.
That's exact the way they are working, you can use them to replace a set of spanners and they don't damage surfaces because they have no teeth. You can get them in different sizes, the small one is very handy to have it in the lamp tool box
Yes, that's because they are an adjustable spanner (or wrench), not "pliers". These are typically what are referred to as pliers:- -not to be used for removing nuts and bolts, particularly tight ones. With all due respect, Jeff, the Knipex tool isn't a pair of water pump pliers, although they superficially resemble them. Water pump pliers don't have parallel jaws - they wouldn't do the job they're designed for if they did... Anyway, I'd still use the correct sized spanner before any adjustable wrench, particularly as they get worn. Ian's method of holding the hexagon in a vice is also a good one and that's worked for me on many an occasion...
Yep ! Me too ! And if all your corrective surgery fails, then there's always plan B. Its not so corrective but can often make you feel better.......
Yes, he's up and running now, so i take it he didn't use the internationally recognised 10lb precision alignment tool
Hi to all . Yes , I finally sorted the pump . It gave up the ghost finally and unscrewed as it should . A vice and large padded grips did the job , although much swearing was needed along the way . Nothing like a few choice words to free a jammed thread I find . Anyway , glad to say that all is well now and my latest table lamp is up and running . Can't work out why these things are so addictive . I keep saying I will buy no more and then , somehow , another creeps in ! I am sure no one else has experienced this ..... Hmmmmmm !! Thanks to all Noel .
