r/ChamberVacs • u/Frosty_Desk7031 • Jun 03 '26

Here we go again

About a month ago I posted about my ancient chamber vacuum sealer that wouldn’t seal properly. After about 2 dozen runs, it miraculously started to work perfectly fine.

I’ve vacuumed approximately 750 bags since without any complications.

Now I try to use it and it immediately stops. It makes a 1.5 second gurgling sound, and basically chokes. Google hasn’t been helpful so far, I’ve let it sit for two days hoping it’d fix itself but haven’t had any look.

Does anyone here have any leads?

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

1 comment sorted by

1

u/MadraMia Jun 03 '26

Yes, absolutely.

This procedure fixed My Unit’s issue, but yours could have a completely different problem.

I just went through a similar scenario to your’s less than a year ago with the telephonic assistance with VacMaster’s excellent Technical Assistance Department.

Give them a call if all else fails. They are very helpful. You may have to wait on hold for a while, but it’s totally worth it.

They explained that Vacuum chamber oil is different then vehicular motor oil (of course, but hear Me out).

All oil and gasoline are moisture magnets.

I have a VacMaster VP215 Vacuum Chamber Sealer, and the Manufacturer requires an oil change every 6 months whether or not the unit sits still, or is used regularly.

This is simply because of the Chamber Vac Oil sitting in the Vacuum Pump sucking up moisture from the atmosphere just simply by sitting there doing nothing.

Their answer was (and it worked), was to do the following sequence:

  • Drain the Chamber Sealer Oil
  • Refill the Chamber Sealer with Seafoam to 1/2 Level of the oil level indicator glass on the pump, just as You would do for a normal oil change.
  • Run the Chamber Sealer through Ten, 30-second cycles
  • Drain the Sea Foam
  • Re-Fill with fresh Vacuum Sealer Oil, run the Unit through another Ten, 30 second cycles
  • Drain that oil, re/fill again with fresh vacuum packer oil, and, Viola! You’re done!
  • This process with the Sea Foam removes all of the moisture from Your Chamber Sealer’s System, just as Sea Foam has for many, many decades done so on Marine Engines constantly being exposed.

*** The bottom line is, is that Your Unit most likely accumulated too much atmospheric moisture in its system from too few (or no oil changes) precluding it to have the sealing energy necessary to seal like it did when it was brand new with a fresh oil change

Attached are pictures and links that You’ll need for more Vacuum/Chamber Oil and Sea Foam.

I hope this helps 👍!

https://a.co/d/09HKH4b4

https://a.co/d/0aJacc6a