As with installing anything the Accusump has a list of Do and Do Nots when installing. These unfortunately are common mistakes we see despite warnings in our full product installation guide. To save you the time we have listed a few of the common mistakes we see along with the correct way.
DO NOT Mount the clamps anywhere but on the very ends.
DO Mount the clamps on the ends of the Accusump.
While it may seem inconsequential it is important that the clamps are always installed one clamp at the very end of each side of the Accusump tube. When mounted improperly the clamps can actually impede the piston on the inside from having it's full stroke available. The clamps on the end also add structural integrity to the ends of the Accusump where the caps are threaded.
DO NOT Mount the Accusump close to the engine without a heat shield to protect it.
DO Mount the Accusump in an easy to access location away from sources of extreme radiant heat.
The piston style design allows the Accusump to be mounted anywhere and in any orientation. Yet it is still important to understand how certain locations can affect it. The Accusump is designed to routinely operate with hot engine oil and under the high under hood temperatures typically found in racing. However, mounting in locations where the Accusump is in close proximity to headers or other extremely high temperature components can cause excessive heat to radiate onto the Accusump.
When the Accusump is operating the extra heat has the affect of unnecessarily adding heat into your engine oil. When the Accusump is turned off the extra heat can cause even more problems. When the valve is closed thermal expansion of the oil in the unit will result in a build up of pressure inside your Accusump. Since air is highly compressible, if you have an adequate pre-charge of air in the Accusump it will likely accommodate this expansion without too much added pressure. However, if your pre-charge is low or has leaked out the Accusump will build to high levels of pressure rapidly as the oil expands. The Accusump is designed with a pressure relief valve just for this rare event, but tripping of the relief valve should be avoided. Use a heat shield or consider header wrap if you have concerns about the Accusump's distance to high temp components.
DO NOT Remove the pressure relief valve.
DO Check the pre-charge if your pressure relief valve is discharging.
As we explained in the previous "Do Not" the pressure relief valve serves a very important purpose. We frequently handle Accusumps that have had their pressure reliefs removed by the user because it was discharging oil. The pressure relief valves are rated at 175 psi. If it is discharging that is a symptom of a separate issue and it is important to track that issue. A pressure relief valve discharging commonly means that the pre-charge pressure is not holding and the unit is experiencing spikes in pressure due to being hydraulically locked with oil. If you suspect your relief valve is leaking and are unable to resolve it please call our tech support for assistance. Remember: Do not remove the pressure relief valve.
NOTE: You will need to remove the pressure relief valve initially during install in order to thread the valve into the Accusump. Be sure to use pipe tape on the valve and re-install it.
DO NOT install an Accusump without a valve.
DO read our guide to valve selection by clicking HERE.
Although the Accusump can technically work as a basic accumulator without the use of a valve, not using a valve can create a couple problems. Not using a valve will cause the Accusump to discharge unnecessary oil into your oil pan when the engine is off. Plus, without a valve to hold the oil in your Accusump after engine shut down you will not be able to use the Accusump to pre-oil your engine. Using a valve allows the Accusump to deliver all the benefits that it was designed to provide. Choosing between a manual, electric, or an EPC valve is an important part of customizing your Accusump for your application. See our expanded conversation on valve selection here.
DO NOT Remove the pressure gauge.
DO check the pressure gauge to make sure the Accusump is operating properly.
The pressure gauge will be able to tell you if your Accusump is working or not. Use the gauge to see how much pressure the Accusump is accumulating when full and even more important to check the air pre-charge when empty. As previously mentioned the pre-charge is crucial for proper Accusump operation. Without the gauge it is too easy to forget to check the pre-charge.
DO NOT Disassemble the Accusump
Do Call us if you are having any issues.
We do not recommend disassembling the Accusump. The Accusump may have pressure stored in it that may make disassembly unsafe if not first properly relieved. The Accusump components are also prone to damage when disassembled. We have created a specific procedure and assembly jig for the Accusump that prevents the tube from being damaged while removing the end caps. If the tube is dented or misformed during the process the piston will not be able to travel the appropriate distance and the O-rings will not seal the unit properly.
In the event of an engine failure we recommend flushing the Accusump and pressure checking it. If you are still concerned your Accusump needs additional cleaning or service contact us for our rebuild service
For more information on our Rebuild Service call 203-481-9943 or email info@cantonracingproduct.com.
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For a step by step guide to choosing the right Accusump system for your application click below to get our Accusump Selection Guide.
