My air compressor is down on psi

[bjaspud]

My 25 year old Campbell Hausfeld 220V - 30 gallon compressor seems to be producing reduced pressure. Last night it would barely turn my air ratchet.

I've done virtually zero maintenance on the unit the whole time I've owned it. (I vaguely remember changing oil a decade ago).

The pressure gauge quit working in the 1990's so I have no way of knowing how many psi it's putting out.

So ... my question is ... how do I go about diagnosing my low pressure problem and what should I replace / rebuild.

Thanks for your replies.

Spud

 

[Zrexxer]

So ... my question is ... how do I go about diagnosing my low pressure problem

First step: twist loose ten bucks and replace the pressure gauge.

 

[Falcon67]

Pump-agra, now in 20wt. In small doses, helps get the pressure up. Caution - In the rare event of a pressure spike lasting longer than 4 hours, seek immediate mechanical assistance.

 

[c39er]

No care-no air!

 

[1948]

well ive had a few things go wrong with mine. first was some of the reed valves busted off and would let air slip back out through the intake. they no longer made the model i had so i just welded those valves up and ground it smooth. the next thing to happen was my hose was old and it collapsed internally, so i switched out the hose and everythings been good. maybe something to think about.

 

[bjaspud]

Anyone else have some suggestions ?

 

[mrpizza]

Does it still pump up like normal and shut off? If so, I assume your getting full tank pressure. If not, spring the ten bucks on a new tank gauge. If that is all good, I would look at your regulator. If it gets dirty in there, it can stick and flow almost no air. After that, check your lines, maybe the valves if it doesn't build pressure. My quincy needed a full valve job and it worked wonders on it.

 

[weaponizer]

You said that you never did any maintenance, have you at least drained the tank?...It could be that it has alot of water in it...

 

[metalmagpie]

Your problem was revealed by just two words in your posting - "campbell" and "hausfeld".

 

[Falcon67]

Your problem was revealed by just two words in your posting - "campbell" and "hausfeld".

Hey - I've had three of those over the last 20 years and all are still operating perfectly.

I'd get a new regulator and put on it - they are not very expensive. Since it sounds like an output problem. Air intake in good shape? If you still have the stock can on it, take it apart and see.

 

[metalmagpie]

Very very likely has a broken reed valve.

 

[bjaspud]

metalmagpie - can you educate me a bit about reed valves. I've never taken my compressor apart so I amd not familiar with how they work and where the various bits are located.

Thanks!

 

[1948]

top of the head where the gasket goes. its a little piece of thin metal, that has rivets on one end to hold it over the hole. air will blow past it when pushed away from the metal plate its on, but not the other way when being pulled down onto the metal. kinda like if you took a piece of paper and layed it on your mouth, and tried to **** in, the paper would **** in to your mouth but not let air in. but when you blow out the paper moves out of the way.

 

[isaac338]

Why are you worried about reed valves if you haven't even done some basic diagnosis? Get a pressure gauge and see what's happening.

 

[bjaspud]

isaac338 - I'm just trying to get straight in my head how this thing works. I will follow you advice and swap in a new guage. It's going to confirm I'm putting out less then 100psi. Then what ? What should I be looking at next?

Does anyone have some parts diagrams of the major compressor components?

 

[G_P]

Put a gauge before the regulator and one after the regulator.

If it runs and shuts off like normal then its likely to have a bad regulator.

 

[isaac338]

isaac338 - I'm just trying to get straight in my head how this thing works. I will follow you advice and swap in a new guage. It's going to confirm I'm putting out less then 100psi. Then what ? What should I be looking at next?

Does anyone have some parts diagrams of the major compressor components?

Try removing your regulator and running your tool right from the tank, that'll rule out a stuck regulator. Does the pump ever turn off or does it run constantly? If it runs and switches off, then it's gotta be a blockage in the air line or a busted regulator. If it runs constantly, it's probably a stuck or broken valve, or a broken discharge pipe or unloader.

Have you drained the water in the tank, checked the oil, that kind of thing?

 

[6768rogues]

A reed valve is like a check valve, so air gets pushed out by the piston and cannot return. I would get a pressure gauge and watch it. Then move on to the other things mentioned above.

 

[BillK]

Spud,
If the compressor runs until it shuts off, then you do not have a problem with reed valves so stop even thinking about them.

Like the others said, you have to get a pressure gauge first to see what it is doing.

If it is pumping up to 100lbs, or 125 or whatever it is supposed to be, then there is nothing wrong with the compressor and you need to look at the regulator, air lines etc.

If it is shutting off before reaching the correct pressure, then the cutoff valve is either bad or needs adjusting. Some of the less expensive ones are not adjustable so if it is the problem you will have to replace it.

There is only a couple of possible problems but without the pressure gauge there is no way to isolate it.

 

[bjaspud]

Thanks guys - the last two posts were quite helpful.