Help! My Impact Wrench Lost Power

[gdocktor3]

Soo with about 3 bolts left until I finish, my gun suddenly seemed to lose power. It sounds much weaker and definitely isn't as strong as it was when I first got it. Not to mention I've only owned the gun for 2 months or so. I bought it brand new as old stock. I oil it every time I use it and then once again before putting it away. Its the Snap On IM6100. Coincidentally this happened to be the day I changed over to 3/8 fittings and I also amped the compressor up to 100 psi. Was that a bad idea? I needed the extra oomph to break the bolts. What could be wrong and how can I fix it? Thanks, Glenn

 

[xxaler]

Have you drained your compressor lately? Also 100psi is somewhat low. Running 120-140 really brings out the guns power.

 

[gdocktor3]

No I haven't drained it in a few months. I'll do it tomorrow. I've read 90 psi was the max for this gun. Is that just a "better safe than sorry" type number? I have a tee and gauge set up in my tool box that I'm going to set up on it tomorrow and see if I'm still getting constant 100 psi.

 

[dave89iroc]

No I haven't drained it in a few months. I'll do it tomorrow. I've read 90 psi was the max for this gun. Is that just a "better safe than sorry" type number? I have a tee and gauge set up in my tool box that I'm going to set up on it tomorrow and see if I'm still getting constant 100 psi.

at my old shop we ran everything on 175 psi

 

[xxaler]

No I haven't drained it in a few months. I'll do it tomorrow. I've read 90 psi was the max for this gun. Is that just a "better safe than sorry" type number? I have a tee and gauge set up in my tool box that I'm going to set up on it tomorrow and see if I'm still getting constant 100 psi.

You're supposed to drain tank daily if it's run at least once a day, anytime it's compressing air it's going to be building up moisture inside. I forgot to drain mine all winter, couldn't even take a lugnut off a civic this spring. Drained the tank and out comes about 4L of water from a 25 gallon tank. Everything works fine now.

 

[stikman56]

All kinds of stuff could be wrong. It could be full of crud from bad air. It could be plugged at the inlet screen in the inlet, if it has one in there. It could have broke a hammer pin ( there's two that hold the hammers in the cage). Start with the easy basic stuff first. It could have developed an air leak internally so it's not getting to the motor as it should.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

After draining the tank, I would suggest trying another similar tool on the same hose and air supply. If that tool works, open the impact and look for crud or broken parts in it.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I betting that the bolts on the (air tool) housing have come loose.

 

[redwrench60]

Like Stikman says, sounds like something came through your air line/hose and is partially blocking the air inlet screen at the impact. Try another air tool and if it acts normally then remove your air fitting on the 6100 and check the air inlet screen for debris.

My buddy had a compressor tank that was so badly rusted inside you couldn't use it without clogging up air tool screens with particles and trash.

 

[jonjon1]

Check the gun on another compressor..

90psi at the tool when its working is not as easy as setting the regulator to 90... Pit a tee and a gauge at the end of your hose, pull the trigger and watch the psi...

I am going to guess a new snappy gun you have been oiling, its not broken just clogged up, they are easy to pull apart and check. Do you have a filter on the hose?

 

[gdocktor3]

I drained the tank and put the gun to it and it was still the same. However, today I picked up an order of 3/8" body fittings and couplers from Grainger and ran a few tests. Firstly, after installing the 3/8" fittings, I made up a tee with a gauge right before the impact gun and found that I only lost 3-4 psi compared to 10 psi with the smaller 1/4" fittings. Oddly enough, after giving a few short blasts and a couple long blasts with the new fittings, the gun came back to life. I could only assume something was clogged up. And now that I think about it more, the day the problem started was the first day I started using my full 3/8 x 3/8 mnpt hose. The hose I "borrowed" from work which I found raveled up covered in dirt and dust... I guess I'll find out for sure if its fixed when I attack these last few bolts.

Its good to know I can get answers from people who actually know what they're talking about on here. Thanks