Glenn6870 

I’ve had the Joe Blow Sport floor pump for over three years now. I know how to use it! However, i went to pump the tires before my ride today and it’s not working. Wheel is Presta, and yes, i’m using the Presta side of the pump head. When i secure it to the valve the pump doesn’t push the air in to the tire. The Pump handle has a lot of resistance and won’t go down at all. I’ve had that happen at times in the past and it was because the head wasn’t put on properly, so I took it off reattached and then was ok. Not this time. I’ve checked and the pump is pushing air, just not when attached, it’s like something blocking it. Is there something internally to check to make sure its working?
I thought it might be the tire valve, but the same thing happens on the other tire.
I hope this explanation is good enough, trying to explain the best i can.
I really don’t want to buy a new one if it’s a quick fix, but for the life of me i cannot figure it out.

Koyote

Forgive me if this is obvious, and you have already tried it: unscrew the Presta valve, and pop it with your finger a couple of times to make sure air is flowing outward. Then try the pump.

Glenn6870 

Believe me, I expected some answers like this, because quite frankly if i was you, I’d be asking the same thing! All while muttering under my breath “this idiot doesn’t know how to use a pump!”

But to answer you, yes, i did. I even borrowed a foot pump from my neighbor and pumped up the tire no problem. Problem is definitely not the tire stem.

Koyote

Okay, then my next suggestion is that the pump's head is faulty...They do seem to wear out over time. I have the same pump - it's about 18 yrs old - and it has failed twice. The first time, I emailed Topeak and they sent me a new head for free -- it just threads onto the end of the hose. The second time it started to fail, I happened to be in a bike shop that had a spare, so I just bought it.

So, that's what I would try next, if I were you. Send an email to Topeak explaining the problem, and see what they say. And use your neighbor's pump in the meantime.

Glenn6870 

Thank you! I thought i was going crazy that it wasn’t working, but if you have the same one and the head has failed, twice, i feel a lot better now. I’ll take your advice on contacting Topeak….and hitting up the neighbor for his pump in the meantime.

Thanks!

Keefusb

I had an old Joe Blow fail last year. A fitting behind the gauge had cracked. I was able to bypass the gauge, and the pump works but no gauge. I figured after after 25 years I had earned a new one. I still keep the old one as a backup.

The key diagnosis for this problem is air coming out behind the gauge but not making it to the hose.

Glenn6870 

Thanks. Mine does push air. if i close the valve like i would on a tube valve, air will come out. But once you put it on an actual valve, it won't work. I had a buddy stop over on July 4th and he took a look. He has been riding for years and knows what he is doing and confirmed that the pump definitely not working as it should. So at least I know it's not me doing something wrong. I am just waiting for Topeak Cust Service to open so i can give them a call and see if they have a pump head part to sell. Otherwise, i'll try and pick up a new pump locally in the coming days.

Ghazmh

I had the head fail on a JoeBlow a few years back. Otherwise it was a great pump. It was easily fixed with a new head.

Glenn6870 

**Update**. I did speak with Topeak the other day. New Pump head is the fix, as was said on this thread, but it is on back order for two months! Knowing that two months could become longer, i just ordered a new pump altogether.

speedy25

Topeak has a guarantee on their pumps. They have been great for me in the past replacing pump heads that dont work. Since I have only had 2 i consider this a good supported product.

Talk to them about your other problems.

-SP

cmon4day

I too have a Joe Blow and was having problems with the plunger rising when I attached the head to my tire. I was at the Sea Otter Bike Festival a few years back and Top Peak had a booth. So I talked to a guy who knew the exact problem, took down my info, and a couple of weeks later the replacement part arrived. I’m still using the pump.

Reputable Company.