Fimco Rant
- Thread starter Belo
- Start date
Buckhunter10
5 year old buck +
Has anyone changed the pump out to a better pump? I see FIMCO makes a "pro" pump that has better seals and stuff. I thought I was having issues with clogging at first, but now I believe that the seals are getting worn out from surfactant, from time to time. I am thinking that a higher PSI pump with the Viton seals should last a LONG time. Thoughts on this?
I've changed out my Fimco pump and replaced the valves multiple times in the first 5+years I owned it, but my problems all went away when I started running at least a full tank of clean water through the sprayer after every use. I think my problems were more related to my inadequate cleaning steps than the pump itself.
I'll probably jynx myself by saying this, but it has been running great now for 5+ years after I started flushing them out after every use with far more water than I previously did. And this is just with the standard, standard replacement Fimco pump.
I'll probably jynx myself by saying this, but it has been running great now for 5+ years after I started flushing them out after every use with far more water than I previously did. And this is just with the standard, standard replacement Fimco pump.
Buckhunter10
5 year old buck +
So I am wondering if these new pumps are more susceptible to hard water build up. I run well water and my old pump lasted 10 years. New ones acted up after a few fill ups.
What tank cleaner do you use? If you don’t mind me asking?
I don't use any tank cleaner - I just open the drain plug and wash out the inside of the tank with a hose and then close up the plug and run at least one full tank with clean well water after each use. My gut feeling is that some of the components on the pump and the valves don't work well with some of the standard chemicals and even a small amount of residue causes them to fail. I only use round-up with surfactant already added and occasionally 24D or clethodim.
I went from replacing pump or that valve part almost once per year to having no issues for 5 years just by increasing the amount of water I run through the sprayer after every use.
Buckhunter10
5 year old buck +
Ah I got ya! I clean mine out well, every time but this pump only lasted 2 years. Went from running great to just not holding pressure at all. I figured that has to be a seal.
Foggy47
5 year old buck +
Ben, you’re doomed now for certain. lol. Before changing brands I think I have replace 4 pumps over time. Also diaphragms a few times. Likely my issues are due to poor cleaning to an extent…but I was doing the triple rinsing act and did my best to clean. Been hearing to run some RV antifreeze when done. Anyone do this?
I agree, I'm completely screwed the next time I use my sprayer since I said it works awesome.
I should also mention that I removed the in-line screen type filter near the pump. That screen type filter seemed to randomly get slightly plugged up and that would block the flow. Then I'd have to stop to fix that, and the chemicals sat longer in the pump and maybe that caused issues. I took that stupid screen out about the same time I increased the amount of water I use to flush the system after use.
At the end of the season, I run a full tank of clean water through the sprayer, empty it out completely and then put a gallon of RV antifreeze in. I'll just run the sprayer for a few seconds to get the RV antifreeze into all of the hoses and then turn it off and put it away for the year.
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