icepick_trotsky 

My Silca Impero gave out. I get little to no pressure. Can you help me troubleshoot this? What gaskets do I need to replace?

SJX426 

@isepick_Trotsky - You need to be more specific about "gave out". Does it not pump or is there a leak?

Typically the leather plunger wears out. They are available from Silca (the new company in USA), I believe.

Other failures include fractured tube, bent shaft, head gasket failure, valve gasket failure.

icepick_trotsky 

There was a leak from a small crack in the side and I taped it up. That seemed to fix it for a bit, but now it doesn't give any pressure at all when pumped. I suppose I should take it apart and check out the gaskets and plungers, but it might be easier to just get a new one.

SJX426 

Get a new one an let us know if it is worth a used bike! Impero Ultimate Frame Pump | SILCA

JohnDThompson 

Sometimes, the leather gasket is just too dry. Before buying a replacement, work a little olive oil into the gasket to soften it up and see if that helps.

Lascauxcaveman 

I was going to say mineral oil; but I guess olive oil would be più Italiano.

tjkoko

Olive oil is too acidic. Therefore work with mineral oil that you can get at any tack and feed shop for $20 or less for a gallon. You can use the remainder for lubricant on a sharpening stone or stones. 8)

SJX426 

I bet your tape didn't hold the pressure! Super glue?

Lascauxcaveman 

Or, if you can't see using a gallon, a smaller bottle for $5 at your grocery store pharmacy section.

rootboy 

Huh? I just use a couple of drops of good, light machine oil on my Pompa Plungers. Works fine.
Unless of course someone needs a gallon of oil.

noglider 

People are too sentimental about that pump. I had several and thought they were lousy. They broke easily and sometimes tried to take my shoulder out of its socket. Get a Zefal pump.

The pump embodies the Italian attitude of "It doesn't matter that it works badly, because it looks so good."

icepick_trotsky 

Well yeah, that's the whole idea!

rootboy 

Ditto. Newer technology probably works better. But classic looks count for something too. If it didn't, I wouldn't own these old bikes.

3alarmer 

...yeah, I have a few, but I'm damned if I can pump a tyre to a higher pressure with 'em. Blackburn made some swell frame pumps, and the various Zefal's I have work well.
I'm surprised nobody has come out with some sort of universal fit frame pump lie the Park, but with some sort of changeable plastic exterior sleeve that you can colormatch to your bike.

3alarmer 

...if I really wanted to save one of these with a crack in the tube, I think I'd try to find something to sleeve it.

davester

I'm puzzled by these posts suggesting that the Silca Impero frame pump doesn't work well. I've used nothing but Silca Imperos since about 1974 and as long as they are equipped with the Campagnolo metal head they work perfectly and can inflate a tire easily to 120 psi (though I no longer run those pressures). The Silca and Campy plastic heads are significantly lousier so this may be the reason for people dissing Silca pumps. I can think of no other reason for the criticism. I have used Zefal pumps and they work OK, but the Silca is better (and lighter) IMHO.

long john

I have a HOLE box of leather pump washers or what ever it says in french on the box just waiting for a pump

rootboy 

Awh…you're just trying to be a contrarian, Davester.

I think they can be a little temperamental. And I can no longer get mine to get up to very high pressures. But I suspect it is me, not the pump.
90 to 95 is OK with me these days. I agree on the metal Campy head. Only way to fly.

noglider 

This could be a business opportunity.

noglider 

My experience is that the pump has no internal valve. While pumping, I would inadvertently press the inner tube's valve pin. That would bring the full pressure of the tire back out of the pump. This is how I broke a couple, and in doing so, really hurt my arm or shoulder. A pump should have an internal valve!

clubman 

My 30 year old Silca Floor pump gave out on me and I'm desperate to get it back. Must look for how-to-fix online. A lifetime pump imo.

nlerner

My Silca floor pump gave out after about that time, too. Mine was the one with the orange Columbus steel shaft. I ordered some replacement parts from Silca, but they weren't compatible with the older model! Someone still paid me money for it on eBay, so maybe it's come back to life somewhere.

Road Fan

But not all, it's a case of production inconsistency (still not forgivable!) I have a pair of older ones, that I haven't maintained. But, they have both pumped up tubulars to 110 psi for me. As a road guy, I don't need more than that.

davester

I can't see how you could do that unless you weren't holding the pump in the standard grip, which is with the tire valve at the top of the wheel, the pump head cradled in your hand and your thumb wrapped over the top of the tire. I agree that the Zefal is more tolerant in this regard, but this is really of little consequence...and it's ugly in comparison to the Silca (and not only that, but the Zefal is not Campy-equipped!).

rekmeyata

New silca Impero are for sale here Classic & Modern Italian Silca Impero Framefit Pumps at Yellow Jersey If you have an older one with the Campy Chrome head like mine you can remove it and put it on the new pump but ask Yellow Jersey first to make sure it will fit, I'm 99% sure it will because I don't think they changed the way the head went on from 1983 when I got mine till now, they did change the head to a lower quality one but they go on the same I believe.