Husky 60 gal. Compressor air leak

[smalltown]

Finally had a few minutes to install a new drain extension at the compressor bottom. Bought enough piping, ball valve, and a simple regulator/filter just to temporarily get air.

Started up the compressor with the ball valve closed, thought it was filling up slowly (my first compressor what do I know ?). Searching around for possible leaks I felt a lot of air near the pressure switch. When I touched the small hose that apparently feeds the unloader valve it popped right off. It looks like a cheap compression fitting on a plastic elbow that has a built in swivel just under the pressure switch. I pushed the hose back into the fitting. and restarted, and at about 60 PSI. the hose blew off again.

Came inside to pull up the owners manual which isn't much help. It's out of warranty, but I'm headed back out to see if it can be taken apart to fix, and or take some pics.

 

[smalltown]

Took the cover off of the switch, and I don't think it's able to be taken apart to get at the fitting underneath. Looks like everything topside is riveted together. Gave up for the day, but I did take 3 pictures.

First photo shows the hose after if pulled out of the fitting. I think it's some sort of push in, and it grabs the hose (looking down the hole I could see some small edges that looked like they would grab onto the hose). You can see the swivel part at the elbow.

Second photo I really pushed on the hose to seat it, and it felt like the hose was seating into something, and now I cannot dislodge the hose.
I was hoping that maybe that plastic elbow unscrews from the switch bottom.

The last photo is where the hose connects to the tank. I could not understand why the air was not leaking, but I imagine there is a one way valve at the top of the tank below the hose connection?

Anyway after getting the hose to stay put it is leaking air badly, and seems to be coming from all around where the hose goes into the fitting.

 

[DHCrocks]

If you have have some slack in the hose try cutting off the end where it goes into the fitting. The outer shell is probably damaged which is why it is popping off. The push on fittings will grab the hose to lock it in place so you need a clean section to use.

 

[smalltown]

gregtwojeeps for some reason I received your E-mail response to this post, but it never appeared in the online thread ? That said yes it would be good to replace the line and fittings.

DHCrocks going out to the garage this morning, but after pushing the hose in the fitting yesterday it didn't want to back out. Going to try an inspection mirror under the pressure switch to see if there is anything I can do. Wish I knew if that fitting screws into the pressure switch base? Don't want to twist it off if there is any possibility of fixing things.

 

[smalltown]

I found a replacement on the HD web site with a photo of the bottom. No screws it's all riveted together, and has the same plastic fitting on the bottom. If I do need to buy another I don't think I want one with a plastic fitting.

Looking at the HD photo it makes me wonder why does it turn to metal on the end (green arrow) is this thing more than an elbow as it reminds me of a plunger ?

The red arrow points to what mine appears to be a metal band surrounding the fitting. I guess I am going to find out if that plastic fitting is threaded into that metal band or press fit.

I apologize for asking so many basic questions.

Just found a few more photos that makes me e think this fitting is some sort of push and turn to lock. Someone on E-bay selling what looks like the same fitting.

 

[smalltown]

Well this must be what its like to go to a Therapy session: little breakthroughs I found another photo of a replacement part that I'll bet is the same as mine.
Still don't like the plastic, but if I can get it removed it will need a plastic replacement.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CW001000AV-...867334?hash=item3cbe3f7446:g:M8sAAOxypthRxNZ7

 

[gregtwojeeps]

gregtwojeeps for some reason I received your E-mail response to this post, but it never appeared in the online thread ? That said yes it would be good to replace the line and fittings.

DHCrocks going out to the garage this morning, but after pushing the hose in the fitting yesterday it didn't want to back out. Going to try an inspection mirror under the pressure switch to see if there is anything I can do. Wish I knew if that fitting screws into the pressure switch base? Don't want to twist it off if there is any possibility of fixing things.

Yes, I posted recommending converting to an all soft copper tubing/compression fittings line system, then noticed that your fitting was not threaded in to the tank. So I deleted my input as it was moot.

 

[Lee Celtic]

I took mine apart for the same reason as you.. the small pipe your talking about is the pressure relief pipe it connects between the check (one way) valve on the tank and the power shut off. it's there to relieve back pressure off the piston so it can start pumping again. The fitting the small pipe goes into is the pressure release valve and is usually held in by push in and a quarter turn, to remove push in and quarter turn out.(though some have a small horse shoe clip also that you can get to with a hook pick from the side) Inside the valve it similar to a float chamber valve in a bike carb. the pointed valve seals using tank pressure. When the pressure switch reaches shut off an arm presses this valve down releasing the air in the small pipe setting the piston up for it's next start. This is the pssssst of air at the end of each pump up..

Where mine went wrong was the seat of the pointed valve wore out through old age (had her 25 years) and started to take longer to pump up and constantly had air leaking under the switch block. I just got a complete switch unit including the shut off and pressure release valve off ebay and swapped them over.. then took the old one apart to see how it worked for future reference. Cost about £15 to get it from China and about 2 weeks waiting..

 

[smalltown]

Well good news. The Gods have smiled on me (I think). I found a couple of videos on You Tube that talked about replacement of the valve, and another by Cambell Hausfeld on how to replace the hose. The fittings on mine have a manual release.
I trotted out to the garage, and pushed on the release, and the hose slid right out. Next I tried by hand to move the elbow fitting either direction. The fitting seemed very secure. Before I got a wrench out I took a look at the removed hose end, and it looked ok so I reinserted it in the elbow fitting. I wanted to start the compressor to try and feel just exactly where the air was leaking. It doesn't leak anymore. The compressor ran up to and shut off at 130 PSI. All I can think is the hose wasn't seating properly.
Whew !

Everything here is new to me so I learned a few things about my compressor.
Thanks for all the replies.