Laid down compressor -now what?

[nonhog]

Other than check oil is there anything I should do or check?
I had to lay it down as it was a get it now or never free 80 gallon Lowes compressor.
So I am concerned about oil seeping into the tank and/or into the air lines.
Its been sitting upright now for months.
Thoughts?

(just see the top sitting behind the Volvo)

 

[MoonRise]

Check the oil, drain the tank, turn machine on, look and listen for anything 'wrong' (if so, shut of machine instantly), drain tank some more as some air pressure builds up in the tank, fill tank and use machine.

Remember to drain the tank regularly (auto-drain or just drain it manually).

 

[nonhog]

Thanks M.R.
I planned on the basics just mostly concerned about oil getting in the tank and or lines. Maybe I'm overthinking it?

 

[kams1973]

Remove the belt guard and roll the pump by hand. If it will, everything will sort itself out.

 

[rlitman]

Remove the belt guard and roll the pump by hand. If it will, everything will sort itself out.

This. Oil will get in the tank during normal operation of an oil lubricated compressor. A few extra drops won't hurt anything.

Since it has been sitting upright for some time (I would guess that anything more than a few hours is probably sufficient), there is not all that much concern, but the only worry I'd have is if oil got stuck behind the reed valves and hydro-locked things. A little hand turning can avoid a lot of damage.

 

[larry_g]

If really worried, and it has not been run since being laid over, disconnect the line from the pump to the tank and run it a bit. This will allow any accumulated oil in the cylinder to blow out into the atmosphere, not into the tank.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[redmondjp]

You're fine. Any oil that may have been in the cylinder has long since drained back down into the sump.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . do I spy a copper airline system with hose reel on that middle post ??

+1 to all above posts there's not much risk now after sitting so long. Run the compressor for a while by itself (ie NOT connected to airline system) and get it up to temperature . . . ie blow off bunch of air so it cycles quite a bit. Then drain tank. Rinse & repeat until you're sure tank is empty of water and any blow-by oil.

Change oil, then do your final connections to airline system . . AND use it !!

 

[nonhog]

OP . . . do I spy a copper airline system with hose reel on that middle post ??

Good eye! few more air line pics on my shop thread in my signature.
Have a few mods to do as the newer compressor is going in the 3rd bay.
(some day)

 

[fatfillup]

Yep some solid advice above!!

 

[md21722]

Yep some solid advice above!!

I agree. Spin it over by hand and power it up. If oil leaked past the rings, the compressor pump was toast when you got it for free.