Does Santa have to replace my compressor?

[lobsta1]

Was cleaning up my 034 with the air hose tonight. I found I had a serious problem on my compressor. It is a 4 year old CH with 3 pistons doing the compression. It delivers 15 cfm at 90 psi & has a 100% duty rating for 7000 hours. I probably have about 500 intermittent hours on it. I could only get up to 100 psi & the compressor kept running. I found 1 piston blowing very hot air out the filter & not sucking air in like the other 2 cylinders.

Does this mean the whole thing is trash or is it a ring sticking on that cylinder? If it is a ring (how do I find out?) how involved do you think it would be to fix? Are we talking about boring & sleeving that cylinder? Any ideas?
Thanks Al

 

[Gooserider]

I could only get up to 100 psi & the compressor kept running. I found 1 piston blowing very hot air out the filter & not sucking air in like the other 2 cylinders.

Ayuh,... I'd sooner think the Check Valve is trashed...
If you're Handy enough, you can take it apart,+ replace whatever's Broken...
Parts are available for about Any compressor on line.... Google is your friend...

I would agree, sounds more like a bad check valve than a ring issue, especially if the crankcase isn't blowing lots of pressure.

Should be repairable, I would say pull the head on the bad cylinder, and see what there is to see...

Gooserider

 

[gregp553]

My compressor stopped refilling (just kept running) and I took apart the head. Found it had eaten a gasket under the head. Cut one with old gasketmaker cork and it was good as new. Take it apart an take a look. Can't really hurt it.

 

[oilstinks]

Some have reed valves like a 2stroke that can build up dirt or carbon from crank oil. You should be able to clean them if that is the problem

 

[lobsta1]

Downloaded the parts breakdown & suggested trouble shooting guide. Guide suggested for the symptoms either a broken valve (reed valve pack) or a blown gasket separating the intake filter side of the head from the
output side. Pulled the head cover off & found a piece of the gasket missing. The valve pack was really stuck on the head so I did not mess with that. Could not see anything visibly wrong, but will order one anyway.
Al

 

[gregp553]

Sorry you won't have the joy of buying a new one, but the fix sounds cheap. Good Luck.