Air compressor issues

[Streetbu]

Working in the garage today and noticed my air compressor is making a slight chirping sound. Checked the 3 air filters, one for each cylinder, and found the cylinder on the far right had air coming out of the air filter haven't torn into it yet. Think it could be the valves sticking? I was able to find a parts list for it luckily. It's only 7 years old....

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/ca...air-compressor-parts-c-32345_32346_33013.html

And here's a pic of it.

 

[sberry]

You check belt tension first?

 

[Streetbu]

No, pump is turning over fine, inlets on the first two cylinders are sucking air, inlet on the air filter for cylinder #3 is pushing air out. The more I look I think it has to be the valve plate...

 

[readymix]

Just take it apart and clean the valve plate. Remove each valve and you will find at least one with some **** holding it open a hair.

I just went through this with a compressor last month. Easy two hour job.

 

[Streetbu]

I was hoping that would be it. With my luck I'll get it apart and find find a broken valve then be stuck waiting for parts. Guess there's only one way to find out!

 

[engineer031]

I am pretty sure it has reed valves take the head off and be careful not to destroy the gasket. I have seen those valves not seating and you can try and flip it over or try to flatten it back out so it seats tightly.Make sure no dirt is holding the valve up before you try to reseat it

 

[Streetbu]

Well I tore the head off cylinder #3. Disassembled the valve plate. There is a little crud on the valves. But more interesting is the number of valves I found. Looks like there should be 3, but I found 4. One of the smaller ones was doubled up. Think the factory screwed up and installed 2 by accident? I don't see why one port would have 1 and the other port on the same side would have 2....

 

[58Yeoman]

Now you've got a spare. I bought a Sanborn 60 gallon 5hp from Farm and Fleet back in the 70's, and in a few months, it blew a reed valve. They installed a new valve plate and it ran fine for a couple years (IIRC), then blew another valve. I took it apart and mic'd the broken valve, then used a feeler gauge of the right size. It's still running today.

 

[Streetbu]

I should correct myself, they are all the same size and one of the slots one the double port is where there were 2 valves stacked up. Guess I have a spare like you said! Just need to order the gaskets and I should be ok I think.

 

[engineer031]

Can you look at a parts diagram to confirm that port does only need 1 maybe it is there for a reason would hate to see you put it back together and it dont work properly. I would try it with 3 and put the head back on to try it before you order a gasket. I would also find out for sure if you need only 3 or 4 reeds.

 

[Streetbu]

In the parts diagram it only shows the whole valve block, not the internal pieces. I'm just waiting on the gaskets now. Looks like they wont be here until the end of next week. Luckily I'm on vacation and wont need to use the compressor until the week after.

 

[laser3kw]

lap the valve plates on a flat surface (really flat surface)using 320 sand paper first to find the high / low spots and then 600 wet and dry with light oil to finish. that will allow the reeds to seat fully.
I have a granite plate to lap on, also I have used a know flat steel plat. Heavy piece of glass works, but with inherit safety problems.

 

[Streetbu]

Back from vacation, gaskets finally came in. I'm not having much luck finding the torque specs for cylinder head. Any idea's other than the old German method of gudentight? Hahaha

 

[ImportTuner]

Back from vacation, gaskets finally came in. I'm not having much luck finding the torque specs for cylinder head. Any idea's other than the old German method of gudentight? Hahaha

Using a standard torque spec guide maybe ??
http://www.engineershandbook.com/Tables/torque.htm

 

[Streetbu]

Yeah,I think that's what I'll have to do. Been searching the web for an hour and still nothing on this model compressor.

 

[dodge610]

Back from vacation, gaskets finally came in. I'm not having much luck finding the torque specs for cylinder head. Any idea's other than the old German method of gudentight? Hahaha

Gudentight isnt that the only torque specs you are supposed to use. Only ones that I have on file lol.

 

[Streetbu]

Hahahaha yep! When all else fails that what I default to! Just reassembled it. Torqued them to 195 in/pounds. Ran it, working good again! Thanks guys!

 

[Richard Cranium]

so did you put all the valves back in or did you keep the one for a spare?

 

[Streetbu]

Left the one extra out...