Impact Wrench Maintenance

[BillyP]

Well, it looks like it's out of oil or at least very low. The plug was wet but I couldn't get any to run out. I'm going to "try" to pour 3 or 4 ounces into that little hole. By the way, the word OIL wasn't stamped on the body. At least I didn't see it.

Now for the oil. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't 30W heavy duty motor oil non detergent?

 

[BillyP]

Well, it looks like it's out of oil or at least very low. The plug was wet but I couldn't get any to run out. I'm going to "try" to pour 3 or 4 ounces into that little hole. By the way, the word OIL wasn't stamped on the body. At least I didn't see it.

Now for the oil. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't 30W heavy duty motor oil non detergent?

 

[Bird]

Billy, the "heavy duty" oil will be a detergent oil. All the non-detergent oil I've seen in recent years is so labelled. Now the tool manufacturers recommend non-detergent, so that's what I used when I was in the business, but for personal use at home, I wouldn't hesitate to put any old 30W motor oil in it. And getting it in there, through that little hole, can be a real challenge unless you have a very thin nozzle oil squirt can. You can also use something like an eye dropper. To just try to pour it in, one drop may simply "air-lock" the hole. Then you have to insert the tip of a small nail, a tiny screwdriver, wire, or such to open the hole again. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Fortunately, it was simple when I was repairing them, because I could just fill the hammer cage when I assembled them, before putting the front housing on. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

And I think it's a safe bet that the word "OIL" was stamped in the housing. It may be worn off, filled with dirt, or something, but I've never seen one without it.

 

[Bird]

Billy, the "heavy duty" oil will be a detergent oil. All the non-detergent oil I've seen in recent years is so labelled. Now the tool manufacturers recommend non-detergent, so that's what I used when I was in the business, but for personal use at home, I wouldn't hesitate to put any old 30W motor oil in it. And getting it in there, through that little hole, can be a real challenge unless you have a very thin nozzle oil squirt can. You can also use something like an eye dropper. To just try to pour it in, one drop may simply "air-lock" the hole. Then you have to insert the tip of a small nail, a tiny screwdriver, wire, or such to open the hole again. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Fortunately, it was simple when I was repairing them, because I could just fill the hammer cage when I assembled them, before putting the front housing on. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

And I think it's a safe bet that the word "OIL" was stamped in the housing. It may be worn off, filled with dirt, or something, but I've never seen one without it.

 

[BillyP]

Found the non detergent oil and got maybe 1.5 ounces in it. After that it would just overfill and make a mess. I used a big syringe without the needle, that my wife gave me. She's a good woman /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, I'm calling it good to go. Thanks for all the help, Bird.

 

[BillyP]

Found the non detergent oil and got maybe 1.5 ounces in it. After that it would just overfill and make a mess. I used a big syringe without the needle, that my wife gave me. She's a good woman /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, I'm calling it good to go. Thanks for all the help, Bird.

 

[George2615]

You got a good deal. I have a CP 744 Impact gun I bought back in the early 70's. Used it daily for about 10 years then got out of full time garage work, since then its used several times a week. Going close to 35 or more years now. I recently bought a new HD gun from NAPA and it wouldnt remove lug nuts on a vehicle on my lift. Before I dropped the car down to use a breaker bar and pipe extension I tried the CP744 and they came off easily. I have forgot what the torque rating of my 744 is but its better than the HD NAPA. I gave the NAPA gun to a buddy who had just cracked the case on his gun. All I've done is give it a shot of oil now and then.

 

[George2615]

You got a good deal. I have a CP 744 Impact gun I bought back in the early 70's. Used it daily for about 10 years then got out of full time garage work, since then its used several times a week. Going close to 35 or more years now. I recently bought a new HD gun from NAPA and it wouldnt remove lug nuts on a vehicle on my lift. Before I dropped the car down to use a breaker bar and pipe extension I tried the CP744 and they came off easily. I have forgot what the torque rating of my 744 is but its better than the HD NAPA. I gave the NAPA gun to a buddy who had just cracked the case on his gun. All I've done is give it a shot of oil now and then.

 

[BillyP]

That's good advice, Scott. This impact's exhaust is right in front of the trigger. If you get too much oil, your hand will know it first.

 

[BillyP]

That's good advice, Scott. This impact's exhaust is right in front of the trigger. If you get too much oil, your hand will know it first.