Compressor drain plug just spins ...now what?

[bjaspud]

The drain **** on my compressor just spins. I think the 'wing nut' portion is no longer attached. I tried to unbolt the entire drain plug from the compressor tank but the brass fitting just stripped.

What's my next step?

Spud

 

[930dreamer]

Have you tried a pair of vise grips to remove the drain?

 

[Gary S]

What stripped? Remove with a Vise Grip. Drill it out if necessary.

Let all the air out of the tank, remove the petcock and put in a new one. Problem gone.

 

[reptilezs]

same thing on a compressor at work. wing nut spins. just pulled the whole valve off and put in a ball valve an some elbows

 

[bjaspud]

The compressor is built in under my workbench. Its gonnna take some excavating to get it out and turned upside down to really get at it properly.

Thanks,
Spud

 

[gatchel]

same thing on a compressor at work. wing nut spins. just pulled the whole valve off and put in a ball valve an some elbows

This seems to be the best fix for this problem. Replacement drain valves seem to always leak eventually, anyway.

If you can get your hand in to turn the valve, you might be able to remove it and install a street 90 to bring the ball valve to the outside of the structure.

 

[sberry]

The compressor is built in under my workbench. Its gonnna take some excavating to get it out and turned upside down to really get at it properly.

Thanks,
Spud

who said it is all easy? If it was they would have children and old women do it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

same thing on a compressor at work. wing nut spins. just pulled the whole valve off and put in a ball valve an some elbows

Good advice. I did the same thing years ago.