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15
6.
Quick Guide to Problem Solving
You Notice
This May Mean
Possible Cause
You Should
1. Uneven pressure trace.
1. Bubble in
1. Solvent not properly degassed
1. Be certain mobile phase is properly
2. Pressure drops.
check valve.
2. Fittings not tight.
degassed.
3. Pump shuts off.
2. Leaks in
3. Mobile phase not properly
2. Check connections for leaks by tightening
4. No flow from outlet check
system.
filtered.
fittings.
valve.
3. Dirty check
4. Particles from worn piston seal
3. Prime system directly from outlet check
valve
caught in check valve
valve.
4. Bad check
5. Plugged inlet filter.
4. Clean or replace check valves. See
valve.
Section 5.4.
5. Replace inlet filter. See Section 5.1.1.
1. Uneven pressure trace.
1. Leaks in
1. Fittings not tight.
1. Check all connections for leaks.
2. Pressure drops.
system.
2. Long usage time since last
2. Replace piston seal. See Sections 5.2.3 and
3. Fluid between pump
2. Piston
seal change.
5.3.
head and chassis.
seal(s)
3. Salt deposits on seal
3. Check piston for salt deposits. Clean as
worn.
(especially if buffered aqueous
necessary. See Section 5.2.3.2.
mobile phases used
without self-flush head.)
Pump makes loud clanging
Piston carrier
1. Cap nut screws on pump
1. Check cap nut screws on pump head. Tighten
or slapping noise (intermittent
catching in
head are loose.
if necessary.
contact with cam).
piston guide.
2. Seal(s) worn.
2. Replace seals.
3. Piston guide worn.
3. Replace seal backup washer and seal. See
4. Salt build-up on piston carrier
Sections 5.2 and 5.3.
from use of buffers.
4. Consider changing to self-flushing pump
5. Excess lubricant on piston
head if using buffers.
carrier.
5. Clean excess lubricant and dirt from piston
carrier. See Section 5.8.
Blue dye in mobile phase.
Pulse damper
Sudden pressure drop when
Replace pulse damper. See Section 5.5.
diaphragm has
purging system.
burst.
Pump runs for 50 pump
Lower pressure
1. Mobile phase not properly
1. Be certain low-pressure limit is
strokes, then shuts down.
limit is activating.
filtered.
set to 0 psi.
2. Particles from worn seal
2. Increase low-pressure limit only after
trapped in system (e.g.,
pump attains operating pressure.
tubing, filters, injection valve,
3. Contact service technician.
column inlet).
1. Pump shuts down after run
Clog in fluid
1. Remove and clean both inlet and bulkhead
is called, even with no
system.
filters. See Sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.2.
column connected.
2. If problem persists, remove tubing from
2. Pump runs to maximum
system one piece at a time until you find
pressure and shuts down.
clogged piece. Most clogs occur outside
pump itself.
No power when pump turned
Blown fuses in
1. Power surge.
1. Replace only with appropriate fuses 1A
on. Fan does not run.
power entry
2. Internal short.
250VAC.
module.
2. Contact service technician if problem persists.
Front panel appears OK but
Blown fuse on
1. Power surge.
1. Replace only with appropriate fuse.
pump motor does not run.
motor power
2. Internal short.
2. Contact service technician if problem persists.
circuit board.
Self-flush heads leak flush
Flush area not
1. Large (size 016) O-ring
1. Replace O-ring.
solution.
sealed.
flattened and no longer seals.
2. Tighten head.
2. Head not sufficiently tightened.
3. Replace leaky parts.
3. Scratches in mating surfaces.
4. Leaky self-flush seal.
