Sprinklers

[DonkeyApple]

Clearly these are disposable these days but just out of stubbornness I'd like to get what was a fairly expensive one back working properly.

In short the arm doesn't oscillate. It will for a bit and I suspect water pressure is playing a part, however, because it is on the edge of working I feel there is something to be done.

Was thinking of back flushing it, putting some Harpic inside and then a bit of wd40 but are there any known tricks?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Are you in a hard water area?

I’d be contemplating buying some cheap vinegar and finding a way of immersing it or flushing through with that. The water-driven motor will be at the input end, so you may only need to immerse that part.

[DonkeyApple]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Are you in a hard water area?

I d be contemplating buying some cheap vinegar and finding a way of immersing it or flushing through with that. The water-driven motor will be at the input end, so you may only need to immerse that part.

Yup. That's the idea behind using the Harpic as it'll work much quicker. To be honest, to get limescale build up would take much more use than this sprinkler has ever had and I'm guessing the most likely culprit will be muck from the mains water.

[Simpo Two]

Check your tap and hose connectors for filters and remove them.

[DonkeyApple]

Working again. Back flushing washed out a fair bit of muck which was probably the primary issue. Cheers.

[Tymb]

If you do think it needs a bit of lubricant don’t use normal old WD40 it’s a water dispersant and will just wash out and make things worse. Sprinklers quite often expect some water in bearings and moving surfaces. Some thing like (WD-40) GT85 which has ptfe in it, it will clean things out but should leave a ptfe layer or lithium grease like below would be better.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/wd-40-white-lithium-gre...

[JoshSm]

WD40 and vinegar would likely damage any seals - they're most likely EPDM. To descale use citric acid, to lubricate try silicone oil.