Help Crafstman Professional Compressor broke - what is this?

[sbarton]

I've got a Craftsman Professional 80gal compressor. I was grinding some stuff so it was cycling a lot when all of a sudden I hear a large hiss from my compressor closet while the compressor was running. After shutting it off, it stopped hissing. I noticed that the small pipe that goes from the tank into the guage had popped out. It won't stay in.
It doesn't seem to lose air when shut off, but it seems that when it is running, the new compressed air just goes out the pipe, and not into the tank. I could be wrong though.

Here is the part that broke (click for bigger pics).



1) What is it?
2) Where can I get another one?
3) How do I fix/replace it?

Thanks!

-Scott

 

[WhoWhatNow]

That is part of the unloader. When the pressure switch shuts off it opens that valve which allows the air in the head to escape. This way, when the pressure switch starts the motor again, the motor does not have a load on it which increases the life of the motor. The other end of the pipe should connect to the pump head. Can’t tell from your pics what exactly broke. You may need a new fitting at the end of the pipe or you may need a new pressure switch. Either way, it is a relatively cheap fix. Sears should sell both parts. My guess is around $30 for the switch.

 

[sbarton]

Thanks. If you look at these 2 pics, it's the black thing with an o-ring on it on the end of the silver pipe. It should go in that long vertical black thing, but won't stay in it anymore.



-Scott

 

[Trey T]

doesn't look broken. try pop it back in and secure it

 

[airbuff101]

It looks like that lower left hole may have lost a retaining pin that engaged the groove below your o-ring. Just a guess though.
if so, it was probably a roll pin.
airbuff

 

[SMKS]

The Sears parts website frequently has exploded diagrams and parts lists. You'll have to search by the part number of your compressor.

http://parts.sears.com/partsdirect/

 

[Danglerb]

Look around near the compressor, maybe with a pickup magnet, and see if you find anything like a short metal tube (roll pin). Looking at the parts diagram should make it clear.