Abstract: A hydraulic elevator buffer contains a piston (plunger) which is pushed down into a volume of hydraulic fluid. The buffer has no seals separating its interior from the atmosphere. As the piston is pushed down, the displaced fluid is forced through ports in the cylinder which gives rise to a restricting force. The displaced fluid escapes into a volume in which an air/fluid mixture is produced. A nozzle area surrounds the piston at the top of the container, and the mixture is forced through the nozzle, separating the fluid and air. The fluid condenses down, lubricating the piston. The air is forced out through the space between the fluid container and the piston, removing any contaminants around the piston. The buffer contains a fluid-fill port which is at a horizontal angle at which a minimum and maximum fluid level in the buffer can be determined by looking in the port.