Compressor Running Too Hot?

[Boyd]

My Kobalt 3.5hp 60 gallon compressor takes a normal time to pump up, but it gets reeeaaallllly hot while doing it. The compressor to tank supply tube gets extremely hot...so hot that you can't touch it for even a split second without it burning your finger and you can feel the heat radiating off of it from several inches away. Also, the entire top of the tank is very hot from the extremely hot air entering it.

Heat from a compressor is normal, I know, but this seems to be way hotter than normal.

The fan is running fine, is this a valve clearance issue?

 

[DIC]

The preasure is not set to high is it ?...............

 

[Thumper]

Air filter not clogged up is it ?

 

[Torque1st]

Sounds normal.

 

[rodnok1]

I second the sounds normal, esp if the tank is empty. Smaller engine will take longer to fill tank and create more heat. The fill tube on mine you could light a cigarette on some days, don't know how the ******* doesn't melt. The little compressor I had did the same thing.

 

[InPrimer]

Just make sure that the oil level is up and there is no obvious restrictions in the area. My comp is a 80 gal and is tucked in the corner, I have a garage door next to it when it gets really hot(air temp) here in Az that is normal.

 

[Boyd]

Thanks for the responses. The air filter is clean.

I guess it could be normal, I just never noticed it before. In my new garage, my work area is closer to where the compressor is than in my old garage. Maybe my close proximity to it just makes the heat much more noticeable.

Thanks again.

 

[pattenp]

I have the same compressor and it gets hot as you are describing, so I assume it's normal.

 

[Po'Boy]

On any compressor, the line going into the intake valve on the head should be warm. The discharge side line should always be HOT if working properly. This is why you see cooling fins on the discharge lines on industrial, or multi stage compressors. Perfectly normal. If this is reversed, then you know you have stuck, clogged, bad valve. HTH.

 

[larry_g]

If you stop to think about a diesel , or compression ignition, engine then the heat of a compressor is not a surprise.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[nate379]

How hot? I have measured the head of my little 30 gal tank in the 400* area after working it hard. I did put a new sleeve and piston in it a few years ago, but that wasn't too bad for an older 20 year old compressor.

 

[hetkind]

I have to work to get my IR type 30 compressor hot enough keep the oil nice and clean...the compressor is in a compressor room off the back of the shop building and I just go in every week to drain the water out.

Howard

 

[slopecarver]

Go ask Boyle, Charlsa and Avagadro. Heat is normal.
If you cool down the air going into the compressor you can fit more air into it at the same pressure too....

 

[trbomax]

I have to work to get my IR type 30 compressor hot enough keep the oil nice and clean...the compressor is in a compressor room off the back of the shop building and I just go in every week to drain the water out.

Howard

Me too. I dont know why,but the t-30's run cool. Mine is set at 175/145, and after running for a half hr,you can feel some heat off the heads,but not extreem,next time its on for a long time I'll shoot it with the ray gun and see.