Compressor Unloader valve help *pics*

[franksinatra]

I have a Coleman compressor. Its a great unit and has worked fine for the past 7 years. I recently drained the tank of any moisture and tipped the unit over. It broke the pressure switch and manifold. I purchased a new Milton pressure switch and a separate pressure adjustment valve and now I cant figure out how to plumb in the stock unloader valve or how to plumb in a new one if needed. Would anyone have some experience with this? I searched online and on youtube but nothing gave me what I needed. The unloader valve spring and ball sit within the manifold so I don't know how I could fit it into my set-up. Any new or different suggestions are welcome. In the couple of pics I attached, I matched the arrow colors to the connections that are supposed to go together. I bent the tubing with the white arrow to get it out of the way. Thank you for your help.

 

[The Cobbler]

sort of hard to tell from your pics, but on the second picture it looks like you're trying to attach the feed from the head to the unloader?
sorry if I'm mistaken.

edit, sorry I misread your post.

looks like yo need to re plumb the line. soft copper with compression fittings probably . available from your hardwrae store

 

[bsaint]

Or high temp poly tubing

 

[Stephenw]

The unloader tube gets plumbed in between the compressor head and the tank check valve. It bleeds off the air between the compressor head and the tank for easier compressor starting.

 

[franksinatra]

I now understand how it all should work but nothing is ever available at any of the stores and absolutely everyone is clueless. I hate it when I ask a question and they respond with " lets see here" as they start to read the the package. I can read the box myself. Thank you all for responding. Because the old compressor has a manifold, the old check valve was part of it. At this point, I think if I can get the correct fitting to go from the check valve to the unloader, I should be good. I have no idea but whats a 7th trip to the store going to hurt? lol I cant find that damn nylon tubing anywhere. Did you guys say that copper line should work? Any suggestions on fittings sizes? I don't want to do this anymore. hahaha

 

[The Cobbler]

normally unloader valves are plumbed with 1/4" od tube with compression fittings. I'm sure your is .
the pressure switch already has a nut & ferrule on it so you will need 1/4" soft copper tube, a 1/4" ferrule for the check valve end . a new nut wouldn't hurt but you can probably use the old one. careful when forming the copper so not to kink it. the ferrules don't need any sealant on them as they seal against the copper. any pipe threads should have some sort of sealant to seal the threads. the nuts that tighten over the ferrules don't need any sealant .
hope this helps

 

[ChevyEFI]

I had a similar issue. A little troubleshooting was necessary.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=209759

Someone posted a link to a good How-To site, which I reference in that thread.

I know exactly what you mean with regard to no store having parts (other than assemblies) or knowledge.

 

[franksinatra]

I love working on things but I just don't have the time to become an expert on everything anymore. Some of these things that need repairing have to get easier.
Anyways as I said earlier after the system is understood, the hard part is finding all of the parts. I spent nearly 50.00 on a pressure switch and found one later in the day that would have worked just fine for 25.00. Mine does have 4 ports which should help in adding a gauge, safety valve and a line running to the new pressure valve with an additional gauge. I will get pics up tomorrow so you all can see how I ran it. It seems as if all of the new compressors I looked at have a line going directly from the pump to the tank and a separate line coming out of the tank through a check valve to the unloader. I had to build a whole new system with new fittings, etc. That's where the wasted time was for me. I used Teflon paste on all the joints and finally got everything hooked up. The only thing I didn't connect was the copper line going from the check valve to the unloader. Im looking for a small amount of soft copper rather than buying a spool of it. I kept my finger over the check valve port and turned the unit on. Everything work as it was supposed to. I brought it up to 20lbs, shut the unit off and released my finger. Air came out of the port as its supposed to so I left the air in it, hopefully it holds. Im ecstatic to say the least. Again, thanks all for your help.

 

[franksinatra]

ok, after all was said and done, I ended up having a leak between a 3/4 NPT t-fitting and a 3/4 to 1/4 reducer (bushing). I took it apart and added more Teflon tape and tried again. Still a leak. I went to the store and bought a new t fitting and a new bushing. I had a friend that's a plumber stop by to see if he could get it. After assembly it still leaked. He said it happens on joints from time to time but couldn't give me a suggestion as to what I could do. He said its probably the bushing. The pipe is galvanized and Im wondering if a brass t with a brass reducer would work. Its been about a week without my compressor and I really need to get it fixed. Does anyone have a suggestion.