Inherited a Compressor

[4Quarters]

I've rented/borrowed/bought compressors and never got around to changing the oil on one, probably to my discredit.

A relative of mine had a long debilitating illness and passed away. He was specific I understand about making sure his Porta Champ was given to me.

He hadn't used it for several yrs. I cleaned it off, ck'd that there was oil in it, plugged it in, and it runs. I'm going to take care of it.

There seems to be plastic hex shaped nuts one under the other in the crankcase on either end of each piston. I'm assuming the lower one is the drain, and the top one is the fill. Is this correct?


They're made out of plastic and I don't want to butcher them, so has anyone changed the oil on these before?

Also, where can I get an extra belt for this? He wanted me to have this, so I'm going to take care of it for him.


Thanks in advance
4Quarters

 

[4Quarters]

You actually have a discussion and picture of the exact same compressor that was given to me. I tried to include the link but I get a messages saying I haven't posted enough.

It's this discussion....

"Maintenance on a Champion Porta-Champ Compressor, self draining for the past 6 years?"

 

[RTM]

Let me help you out

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=354091

 

[Citation]

It probably uses a standard V belt. Take the old one off, go to NAPA and ask for a replacement. Make sure the pressure relief valve isn't stuck. Change the oil in the pump and have at.

 

[rlitman]

It probably uses a standard V belt. Take the old one off, go to NAPA and ask for a replacement. Make sure the pressure relief valve isn't stuck. Change the oil in the pump and have at.

+1 to all of this. Especially checking the pressure relief valve. That's your main source of protection keeping the compressor from becoming a newsworthy article. They're quite reliable, but if clogged with dirt or damaged...

As for the belt, if it ain't broke, don't go replacing it. Look at the belt. If you touch the edge, does it leave a black mark on your hands like a piece of charcoal, or is it REALLY coating your hands like you dipped them in a bucket of ashes? The former is normal, as all belts once used will be a little messy, but if the belt is turning to dust as you pick it up, or shows cracking, those are both a sign of overheating, and of needing replacement.

I bought my compressor used in around 2008. The belt was by no means new, as it came out of a working body shop that had recently closed. It still looks no worse than when I bought it, and I'd say that on average, my compressor cycles once a day.

What's more important for belt longevity is alignment and tension. Double check these, and adjust if needed.

Plastic caps are a blessing and a curse. They shouldn't get frozen (since they cannot rust or gall), and shouldn't need sealant, but are easy to mangle. When you have them out, see if they're NPT threads (probably), because then, worst case you could easily replace them with brass versions. I would turn hex headed plastic plugs with a box wrench or socket (preferably 6-point). Those are unlikely to mangle them unless they were previously mangled.

 

[larry_g]

No one mentioned above draining the tank. It is necessary to drain the tank of condensate on a regular schedule.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[4Quarters]

Thanks for all the info; it's greatly appreciated. I ordered some half-moon filters off of ebay, the invoice says they're from pacific compressors. They were inexpensive.

I'll take the advice, and keep the old belt on, and will buy another just to have in reserve for later.


I've been cleaning on this thing, and what struck me was how "beefy"/sturdy it is compared to what's being sold now in HD/Lowes, for the prices they're asking.

It's obvious this thing has lasted all these yrs. because it was made to last.


I actually don't see this quitting anytime soon, and if it outlasts me, I'll pass it onto my Son who says he'll take it.

 

[4Quarters]

As I get up in yrs. I find myself "picking and choosing" my spots as to trying to buy stuff that's going to last; the idea being that it goes to my Son who won't have to pay for it because I did.

In addition to the Porta Champ, I've got a few tools that I felt good about getting.

I'm not a professional, and I can't afford megatools, but I do try to put the money together to get stuff I'm proud of owning.

When I brought this thing home, I wrenched my back out for 2 wks. lugging it to my garage/basement. I had to take pain pills for awhile, but I digress.

It was all worth it, when I got this out of the box and my Son's eyes lit up. He's named it Bubba.