The Home Machinist!

I built a water pump to supply my boiler. Stationary engine. PM Research horizontal, the big one. Pump body brass, plunger stainless with o ring. works great spits water a long way. Anyway, I have been running engine on air to check pump operation. Now no output from pump. Checked and replaced o ring, still no output.. I made my own check valves using chrome plated balls and steel springs. Took valves apart and discovered chrome balls had acquired a carbon like deposit, not easily removed. Finally, to the question. Would stainless balls eliminate problem? Springs had no real deposit, but I will replace with stainless springs anyway. Water is from tap which is softened. Suggestions are appreciated.

Thank You,
HKcarbine

AKA Roger Q

Roger,
The "norm" is stainless balls and light stainless springs.
If the valves are vertical no springs needed for water service.
Burnish the ball seats for a perfect seal.
Assumming the design is correct, it should work well.
RichD

hkcarbine wrote:discovered chrome balls had acquired a carbon like deposit, not easily removed

I'm gonna bet that's magnesium. My ball bearing pumps get stuck all the time. A few very light taps with the small rock hammer fixes the problem. Tap tap tap rattle, fixed! This is why you should always test your pumps as you are leaving the steaming bay.