Air Compressor

[191145]

Hey, guys, I have an older Craftsman 25 gal compressor in great shape that runs great. I got it out this morning to pump up some tires because the weather turned sharply cooler. I did the pickup first then started on a crossover ute; on the 4th tire I ran out of air, so I re-started the compressor. It built up pressure normally. I cut it off since I didn't need the whole 125 psi but still no air. I looked at the gauge on the water separator and it had pressure. Pushed the water release button under the bowl and compressed air blew out. I had two hoses put together so I took them apart - no air. So air is on the tank gauge and on the separator gauge but not making it to the hose.
I decided the separator is bad so tomorrow I'm going to take it off and run the hose straight. I don't guess I need the separator since I mainly use the thing for pumping up tires and maybe the impact wrench once in awhile. It didn't have one when I got the compressor from my FIL's garage so I re-plumbed it and installed one. But I wouldn't mind having it on there if there's any way to fix it. It has a variable pressure control on the separator so you can control the pressure for certain applications. I tried fiddling with that but still couldn't get air past the separator.
Has anybody run into something like this before?

 

[930dreamer]

So it sounds like the air isn't getting past the pressure regulator?

 

[Ponchoguy]

Hey, guys, I have an older Craftsman 25 gal compressor in great shape that runs great. I got it out this morning to pump up some tires because the weather turned sharply cooler. I did the pickup first then started on a crossover ute; on the 4th tire I ran out of air, so I re-started the compressor. It built up pressure normally. I cut it off since I didn't need the whole 125 psi but still no air. I looked at the gauge on the water separator and it had pressure. Pushed the water release button under the bowl and compressed air blew out. I had two hoses put together so I took them apart - no air. So air is on the tank gauge and on the separator gauge but not making it to the hose.
I decided the separator is bad so tomorrow I'm going to take it off and run the hose straight. I don't guess I need the separator since I mainly use the thing for pumping up tires and maybe the impact wrench once in awhile. It didn't have one when I got the compressor from my FIL's garage so I re-plumbed it and installed one. But I wouldn't mind having it on there if there's any way to fix it. It has a variable pressure control on the separator so you can control the pressure for certain applications. I tried fiddling with that but still couldn't get air past the separator.
Has anybody run into something like this before?

What's the model of the compressor?

 

[theoldwizard1]

It could be ice in the separator.

 

[191145]

That's what I was trying to say in a long-winded way. It's a cheapo anyway but I have been using it for ten years.

 

[191145]

Ice:

It was 55F, but it was very humid - sort of spitting rather than actually raining. So I guess there is a possibility - high-velocity air, etc.

 

[191145]

Here's my rig. I think it dates to 1979. Like I said, I put the regulator on it after I got it from the late FIL's garage.

 

[191145]

Whatever happened, it's blowing air today. I found that I did have the regulator turned down but I have used it several times in that position. Possibly it was a freak ice formation. Anyway, I opened the regulator so it probably won't happen again. I think I failed to mention I had about 70 psi on the tank when the regulator wouldn't let air through. Also, I did not see any evidence of water when I started it today - before, during or after use, except the usual slight amount from the tank drain.
So whatever it was is associated with the regulator.