Vacuum Pump Flushing Procedure

Place a small amount of flushing oil in a clear glass containter for later
comparison.
Run the pump until the sump is warm (approximately 1/2 hour).
Disconnect the pump from the electrical source.
Open the drain port and drain the pump of used vacuum pump oil while pump
is warm.
Tilt the pump so as much of the used oil and sediment as possible is drained.
Rotate the pump mechanism manually (on belt drive pump, by rotating the belt pulley).
Some oil sump designs hold oil in the pump until the pulley is rotated a few revolutions.
Repeat this step until no more oil drains from the pump.
Place a funnel in exhaust port (or designated "oil fill" port) and fill pump to halfway
up the sight glass with flushing oil. Turn pump on and adjust oil level if needed.
Run pump for approximately 1/2 hour and alternately activate the gas ballast valve on
the pump. (This helps agitate the oil in the pump.)
Disconnect pump from the electrical source and drain the pump as earlier described.
Compare the color and sediment levels of the drained flushing oil with the virgin sample set
aside at the beginning of the process. If the oil is very discolored then a second
flushing should be done. (Flushing must be repeated until pump is clean.)
After a good color of flushing oil is achieved, the pump should be drained of all
flushing oil.
The pump may now be brought to the IL for repair.