air compressor w// tank- gunk built up inside the tank

[mds33200]

Hi, I purchased a 2 HP air compressor at harbor freight to upgrade my old one (my old one is only 1/3 HP). I know harbor freight isnt the best place to buy tools but the ratings for the compressor were very good- the biggest complaint is the noise.

I also got the warranty on the compressor just incase it breaks. When I purchased it, I purchased it as an open box item so it was used before. But after the 20% coupon (found online) I paid 40 bucks for the unit, and another $8 and some change for the 1 year warranty.

I still have not installed it into my main line but I opened the drain plug on the bottom and I noticed a gunky rusty colord substance on the bottom of the plug. I cleaned it but that concerned me that more gunk is in the tank, so I screwed the drain plug back in, filled the tank with air, released some of the air with the quick release valve, then while air was exiting from the valve (pressure still in the tank) I unscrewed the drain cap to see if I get any discharge. I got quite a bit and I dont know if that is normal or not.

I do have a filter I plan on attaching, when I hook it up to my main line. If any of that gunk shoots out I am afraid the particle level will be so high that particles may bypass the filter.

I did another test- I filled the tank with air, wrapped a new white cloth over the air exit valve, pulled the air quick release lever down to the OPEN position, and air shot out into the white cloth. After all the air exited the tank I removed the cloth and examined it (to see if any debris got shot out into it) and I didnt see anything- still looked new.

Dont know if I should just use it or if I should try to clean out with a liquid based solution then drain it or if that would do more damage. Or should I see if they will warranty it?

Below is a photo of what the discharge material looks like.

 

[930dreamer]

Any liquid you drain from the bottom of the tank will be a rust color, for the most part. Cooling the air through steel or air lines before going into a filter is the best bet.

 

[rodm1]

That is normal. Keep it drained out after every use, the tank will last longer. If you can extend the drain with some pipe sow the water isn't sitting on the bottom of tank but in the drain tube.

 

[mrholeshot]

Very normal. I put an elbow on the bottom of mine and put a ballcock in line about 12 inches from the tank. I open it before each use for just a second to clear the moisture out of the tank. Thats nothing, My shops compressor got drained once a week (120 gallon) and at least a gollon of water would come out. I had a ref dryer so the air was nice and dry coming out of the hose but compressors pull the humidity out of the air so they will get water and gunk in them

 

[ZRX61]

Thats nothing, My shops compressor got drained once a week (120 gallon) and at least a gollon of water would come out.

There's a place I work at very intermittantly & I'm the only guy who ever drained their compressor. It once went more than 5 years between drainings...damn near flooded the place, they thought a water line had burst..

 

[pipsters]

To put you at ease, I believe that rust is actually stemming from the drain valve. The inside of the tank should be coated that would prevent rust from forming especially if it was new like yours is.

 

[bsaint]

The inside of the tanks are still bare metal. Its just rust and water.