Help identify air compressor part

[Bmw4life]

This little plastic piece is cracked in half and is barely holding on.
Interestingly, among 100 parts for this air compressor, this plastic cover is not identified!
It's leaking oil, especially if I tip the air compressor to access the drain port.

Does anyone have a clue what the heck this thing is??

 

[haveissues]

Crankcase vent maybe?

 

[babyseal]

I'd go with crankcase vent/vented oil fill cap too.

Compressor Source sells a generic one for $13, w/ 3/8 straight thread.

Back when I was young and poor, picked a POS no-name compressor out of the trash missing one, blew oil all over the place (probably because the rings were shot), replaced it with straight to tube adapter I had lying around, piece of steel fuel line/fuel filter I'd cut off a car. Idea being the tube kept oil from splashing out, filter kept it from sucking in dirt. Worked (i guess), ran the **** out of that compressor.

 

[joe_padavano]

If you unscrew it, does that hole lead to the crankcase? If so, it is the plug and vent. This is not a critical part, it's purpose is to keep **** out of the crankcase while allowing pressure to vent. More important is ensuring there is sufficient oil in the crankcase.

 

[GeoBruin]

And yes, oil may leak out of your crankcase vent if you tip your compressor.

 

[Bmw4life]

It just pulls out. Looks like it's a dipstick tube haha!
Gonna glue it together with some crazy glue!
Talking of oil, maybe I should change it. What would be the best oil, does it depend on the air compressor?

 

[danielbuck]

any air compressor oil will be fine. And yeah, gluing that back together should also be fine. it's probably just some baffles in there to help keep oil from getting out.

 

[danielbuck]

Also, while you have it drained of air and oil, now would be a great time to install a pull-chain purge valve on the bottom (or an electric valve), will make it alot easier to purge the water out of the tank.

 

[mikegt4]

Yes it is a dipstick, I have 2 small compressors with those. It was standard fair on small Campbell-Hausfeld VT series pumps.

 

[Bmw4life]

Also, while you have it drained of air and oil, now would be a great time to install a pull-chain purge valve on the bottom (or an electric valve), will make it alot easier to purge the water out of the tank.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07MB8YL8Z?tag=atomicindus04-20

I just got this one should be super easy compared to tilting the compressor to screw the nut back and forth

 

[Bmw4life]

any air compressor oil will be fine. And yeah, gluing that back together should also be fine. it's probably just some baffles in there to help keep oil from getting out.

Thanks glued it back together and ordered some oil!

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000225DU?tag=atomicindus04-20