Refurbish a beer engine.

This thread will be completed over the next few weeks, Once completed I will edit it and clean it up a little, but for the time being 'excuse the mess.

This thread will cover the complete overhaul of a beer engine and by the time it is finished will hopefully cover.....

Renewing the seals,
Replacing the one way valve,
Cleaning and polishing stainless steel,
Acid cleaning and polishing the brass,
Sanding, dying and varnishing the wood.
And renewing replacing the handle.

Now before I start I will inform you all that I am not a tradesman of any sort and have 'taught myself' so to speak. The information given in this guide is a collection of various articles and information from several sources. There will more than likely be better, faster or less labour intensive ways so speak up if you can 'streamline' the process. I may also miss something out, or need to go more into something...... If this is the case just let me know!

So here we go!

This is the beer engine we will be working on. It's a 1/2 pt Hi-Gene beer engine. I am hoping the seals will be intact so will not be replacing them, however as with the handle that does not need work I will be going through the process.



As you can see Its not in too bad of a state but you get an idea of how long it has been sat around for in the back of a pub with those prices! (yes, £1.40 a pint!)

And here is what we want to achieve! This is a similar engine that I refurbished a few weeks back.



As you can see the chrome and the brass are shiny again and the plinth has had a nice colour change. Below are the pair side by side.



That's me for just now, during the week I will strip it down and go through the stripping process.

Looking forward to future instalments, it will be useful reference for many!
Another item being regained!

[Cpt.Frederickson]

Looking forward to this too, I've got 6 sitting in the basement waiting for some attention (that's right, six . I love an eBay bargain!)

[Cpt.Frederickson]

That's a shame. Maybe someone with parts etc already will take them off your hands. Hoping m ones are salvagable. Two just need a clean, the other 4 might need a little more than that but all the parts seem to be there...just hope they can be brought up to scratch!

I have a beer engine which I've done very little with. Black paint (not sure if it's chrome underneath) and matt brass due to lack of proper polish. My ex bought it from Woodfordes when we went up there for a tour and a pint. Best present from her ever...

There was one on the forum which shall not be named that was specific to Hi-Gene engines like I have. I used that to refurbish mine and it was brilliant. There might be a thread on Jim's with the same info. I'll have to look.

[Joe1002]

The plinth bit I am interested in. I have two beer engines which are exactly the same apart from the plinths are a slightly different colour. I plan to make them the same. Thanks for doing this KP

Sorry for the late update. its been a busy month!

So here we start, this will be todays subject!

A Hi-Gene 1/2 pull beer engine.


Start off by removing the two front cover screws


Once this is off it should come away from the body. However the hose will still be attached so be careful. remove the clamp with a screwdriver and pull the hose off.


Once done the front cover should come off. remove the swan neck with a ratchet for the back two nuts and a phillips screwdriver for the front.


Should end up like this


next, remove the handle. the top 'bulb' screws off and everything else should slide off.

N.B at this point you could use pliers to twist the bar off away from the plinth, i had none so left it on.

Next we will remove the plinth. undo the four phillips screws on the underside that hold it in place.


....Slowly getting there.


Then remove the brass base from the plinth using a ratchet again




Next we will work on the backplate, remove all the bolts Including the two that hold the bar in place


Slide the bar out and remove the plate. the eye on the end of the shaft can be removed by twisting anticlockwise. however, you may need a wrench and strong pliers if it does not budge.


the pump unit should now be free


Next remove the pins off the brass link arms


Then remove the bolts and slide the remaining bar out of place


And so far.......


Now we get to work on the pump.


remove the two hose tails. but be delicate as they are only plastic


Some units may be different. parts can get complex so remember to photograph at stages.

It was at this point I realized that on my other unit i forgot to replace THIS spring. wondered why it remained. that unit will now need to be stripped down again!

The top and the bottom are only pushed into place. i removed them by sliding a screwdriver down the shaft and carefully (plastic again) prized them off.




The seals on top can be removed by pushing them out with your finger


Remove the nut and take apart the piston


And thats us folks!


A stripped down beer engine!

The next chapter will be cleaning the components, sanding and painting the plinth, and bringing the original shine back to the brass with very little effort!

Stay tuned!

Apologies! I'll get this thread moving on again when I get home. found the bag of parts in the cupboard last night and totally forgot i was restoring it!

Tonight I will focus on renewing the brass and possibly stripping the wood

Look forward to the update.

krazypara, Did you ever finish this project this is very useful anywhere I can get parts?

Id be very interested too as I have one of the same working and one not. Both are missing the front stainless plate so if you have any spares or know anyone who does, please let me know

Looking forward to the rebuild