Re: Penosin Fountain

[spsherm@ibm.net]

Ron:

I dealt with a similar fountain this summer, when I first got my latst
5K...

The reports of the pump being the cause are basically correct.  I got
several hints from the list here, all pointing to the pump pressure
regulator valve.  It seems that when this valve goes, ALOT of high
pressure oil get put back into the reservoir, more and at higher
pressure than it was designed to handle, and you get a fountain.  Early
symptoms of this are foaming in the res.

On my car the problem became noticibly WORSE when going on unpaved
mountain roads.  On city and highway driving it wasn't too bad.

I ended up replacing the pump, as the front seal was gone too, but in
theory one could just replace the pressure regulator valve.  But given
all the other problems a pump could have (halves not resealing, there is
a wear limit after which the pressure reg valve could not be replaced,
etc. etc) unless you have alot more time than money (and a streak of
good luck) I didn't think it was worth it.

BTW - good idea to take out and clean the screen in the oil res when you
change the pump too.

HTH

Steve