Coleman Powermate AC

[threeputt]

I had a lady give me an older Coleman Powermate Air compressor model CL0552709 . She wanted it out of her way. I got the 75 foot of air hose and reel with a few other things for getting it out of her way so she could sell her house.
I was told it worked but found out the timing looking belt had broke. Both gauges were stuck around 120 psi. Coleman don't support this model anymore so I googled the Goodyear belt number. I found one from a person who sells on amazon and bought it for $15.

I got the belt and was able to replace it without too much trouble. The cylinder and piston looked like new. I did remove the piston and cylinder but marked how it went and put it back the same way.

It pumped up air pretty quick and worked for two days and now new belt is stripped. It will try and build air but slips on pulley because the cogs are eat away.

I noticed this thing got pretty hot and was wondering if maybe that caused this belt to do this. The belt I got was a 3M-366 and it looked sort of cheap. According to the seller it replaced the Goodyear belt that was broke , part number Goodyear 007-0064.

The Coleman website didn't show this belt as a single part so I assume it was not replaceable even though somebody put one on when this thing was made. I rolled it on but to be honest I didn't think it was the right fit because it was not hard to roll on.

Just wondering if someone might shed some light on this. No big deal but I can't stand to be beat.

 

[The Cobbler]

I don't imagine you spun it over by hand to see if it turned easily.
I;m thinking the cogs may have been the wrong size & not meshing properly or maybe even just a bad belt. when they start to go bad they can chew up quickly

 

[threeputt]

Yes, I spun it over before I ordered the belt. All was good. Everything was clean and looked like new.

It took only about 7 or 8 minutes to fill the 27 gallon tank up after I first installed the belt. What impressed me was the quick building of air each time it kicked on. I used it several times and all was good until I heard it change sounds today when building air.

I removed the cover and turned the cooling fan while holding the rod. It will slip it you twist it hard. It still builds air but won't get over 70 or 80 pounds now and never shut off.
I will keep looking for another belt. One that is better quality .

Hate to try the same one again as I just about know what will happen.

 

[Indexmill]

C'mon man; this is Garage Journal. Certainly you can figure out why it is tearing up a new belt...

 

[threeputt]

If I had known I wouldn't have asked . I thought it was ok to ask questions here. What part did I miss ? I checked the rod bearing and it spins like a new one. Nothing seems to be binding .
This is the Garage Journal, that I know but it is also a place to ask questions that someone might help with.

 

[Max]

It’s more than ok to ask questions here. As noted above, please check that that the cogs match. Also, if the belt is very loose, look for screws on the motor mount that will allow you to adjust the belt tension.

Max

 

[threeputt]

It’s more than ok to ask questions here. As noted above, please check that that the cogs match. Also, if the belt is very loose, look for screws on the motor mount that will allow you to adjust the belt tensio
Max

Thanks for the reply. This style compressor and motor have no adjustment on it. You have to roll them on.
Old belt was thrown away . I did look at it before I tossed it and they looked about the same.
I guess I should have just scrapped this compressor when I found the broke belt.
Something caused the old one to break to begin with. I was thinking age but now not sure.

 

[kelpaso1]

I wonder if the cogs on the pullys match the cogs on the belt. Some have squarish teeth and some have kinda rounded teeth.

 

[threeputt]

I wonder if the cogs on the pullys match the cogs on the belt. Some have squarish teeth and some have kinda rounded teeth.

Just looking at it appeared to be the same. The replacement belt was thinner. Thanks

 

[gungatim]

my experience with cheap homeowner grade oil-less compressors is that they are rarely worth fixing. you learned that they aren't exactly made for service; the entire motor/pump is a single unit. but I would have tried a new belt too...

my guess, based on past experience, is that it's worn out and thus the belt fit is too sloppy. the ones I've had are all aluminum, sealed bearings, offset rod mount, the whole thing gets hot and vibrates and when it starts to wear, it stresses the **** out of the motor and pump. with no means to re-align things or take up slack, things start to wobble and break.

i'd have tried a $15 belt, like you, but I wouldn't dump another $15 into it personally, that's like buying a used oil-less compressor for $30, which is too much of a gamble for me.

 

[threeputt]

my experience with cheap homeowner grade oil-less compressors is that they are rarely worth fixing. you learned that they aren't exactly made for service; the entire motor/pump is a single unit. but I would have tried a new belt too...

my guess, based on past experience, is that it's worn out and thus the belt fit is too sloppy. the ones I've had are all aluminum, sealed bearings, offset rod mount, the whole thing gets hot and vibrates and when it starts to wear, it stresses the **** out of the motor and pump. with no means to re-align things or take up slack, things start to wobble and break.

i'd have tried a $15 belt, like you, but I wouldn't dump another $15 into it personally, that's like buying a used oil-less compressor for $30, which is too much of a gamble for me.

Thanks
I did have my doubts about installing a new one because these things just don't break for a reason.
Its going to the scrap bin now.
Sometimes its best to just scrap these old air compressors anyway after they have been in use for several years. No way would I ever buy a used one and next time if someone gives me one I will just haul it to scrap yard. Well, probably

 

[gungatim]

you can make a nice smoker or bbq grill out of that tank, that's what I did with the last 2 I scrapped...or a spare air tank is nice to have.