Rusty water drained from my compressor

[MeNeedGarage]

I have 5.5 hp husky compressor that is made by Campbell Hausfeld . I bought it at Home Depot years ago. I just moved it to replace the broken belt, and it was full of water. I drained the water that was all rusty. I rinsed it until it came clean, but I'm not sure if I should just get rid of it and get another compressor. Is this one a goner?

 

[LB-1911]

Your not the 1st person to defer draining your tank on a more or less frequent basis.

How full is "full of water"

Had any issues with it prior to the belt replacement?

Run it up, shut it off, make note of the pressure and check it in the morning.

 

[EarniesGarage]

I wish there was a coating put on the inside when it was manufactured or is there something available we could spray on the inside after disconnecting the air lines. I know there is a product that you can buy from an automotive paint store that can be but directly on the rust and it seals/bonds to it to stop the rusting. It is very pricey though.

I have a new IR 7.5 HP 80 Gallon unit that is about a year old and it has stained the wall orange outside from the automatic drain draining the unit regular.

As far as safety on your tank, It depends on how bad the unit is rusted inside. Find a plumber or a friend with one of those pipe cameras and look inside while it is disconnected to check on its condition. I wish you luck.

 

[taumac]

How often did you drain the tank before? How long was it out of use?

 

[Zeke]

Myself, I would only be worried if the petcock kept getting clogged with rust scale. Reddish, orange oily water has never bothered me. YMMV

 

[rockwithjason]

I am with Zeke on this one

 

[taumac]

I'm also with Zeke. I have a ball valve with a hose connected to it for my drain. I use old water bottles and catch the water coming out. By doing this a can see if oil and debris comes out when I drain the tank.

 

[bcradio]

I also agree with zeke

 

[Professur]

If in doubt, take it to the local shop that hydrotests and have them check it. It's not expensive, and the certainty when you fire it up is worth any price.

 

[MeNeedGarage]

It's been out of use for a couple years. So the water has been setting in it for that long. The petcock doesn't even work. The handle on it just spins around. The tank has never been drained in the past, and I don't think it does it automatically.

 

[Cato]

The condensation I get out of my compressor is always rusty yellow. It's been like that for years.

 

[Vahispd]

How did you drain the tank and flush it since the petcock is inoperative? What size is the tank?

As others have recommended, try to put a small inspection camera inside the tank to assess the condition, or have it hydrostatically tested. Definitely replace the petcock and drain the tank regularly if you decide to continue using it.

 

[MeNeedGarage]

How did you drain the tank and flush it since the petcock is inoperative? What size is the tank?

As others have recommended, try to put a small inspection camera inside the tank to assess the condition, or have it hydrostatically tested. Definitely replace the petcock and drain the tank regularly if you decide to continue using it.

I removed the petcock with a pair of pliers. I'm not sure what size the tank is. Possibly 25 gallons. I'll get a real answer tomorrow.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . buy some pipe fittings so you have elbow and straight length of pipe out to a ball valve that is easy to reach and drain regularly (like daily when you are running the compressor for a while).

Is this a vertical or horizontal tank ??? Pics ??

 

[Spudland_Dave]

OP . . . buy some pipe fittings so you have elbow and straight length of pipe out to a ball valve that is easy to reach and drain regularly (like daily when you are running the compressor for a while).

VERY Good info...
Guilty as charged...I got a New Puma compressor and just got "too busy" building my shop to drain it on a regular basis...even once things quieted down it was a PITA to get on my hands & knees to screw with the petcock....I finally did exactly what you said (Had the parts to do it all along ) so I did...now I find myself draining the tank almost every time I walk by because its easy.

Only thing I'd suggest...use a brass elbow & ******...so when the water settles at the bottom, which is now the extension pipe, its sitting in brass not steel. Means very little rust going forward.
If you don't want to drain it ALL the time, upsize your drain pipe to 1/2" or 3/4" if you wanted to...

 

[LB-1911]

It's been out of use for a couple years.
So the water has been setting in it for that long.
The petcock doesn't even work.
The handle on it just spins around.
The tank has never been drained in the past, and I don't think it does it automatically.

I removed the petcock with a pair of pliers.
I'm not sure what size the tank is.
Possibly 25 gallons.
I'll get a real answer tomorrow.

Thank you for providing the additional information.

I have 5.5 hp husky compressor that is made by Campbell Hausfeld . I bought it at Home Depot years ago. I just moved it to replace the broken belt, and it was full of water. I drained the water that was all rusty. I rinsed it until it came clean, but I'm not sure if I should just get rid of it and get another compressor. Is this one a goner?

If in doubt, take it to the local shop that hydrotests and have them check it. It's not expensive, and the certainty when you fire it up is worth any price.

 

[great white tj]

If you don't trust the tank now.. this might be something to think about. I had two of the same husky compressors, each one was in great condition. I did not need a 60gal. 220 volt comp. so I went to a local auction and picked up two older 60gal 220 units that needed help.... no motor or pump ect..... I just needed the tank. I have $120 in two 60gal. tanks less than 5years old. I just moved over the motor and pumps to the 60gal. tanks. Yes it will take a few min. to fill up the tank from the start but it works just as it would if the pump was on the smaller tanks. The cfm does not change, I just have more air. If your pump and motor are good all you need is a tank. put a ball valve on the drain and a 6" ****** and you are good to go...

 

[great white tj]

110 volt comp.And yes the blue tank is a water tank....lots of water..