New Quincy compressor with leak, normal?

[HalfMoon]

So, this is my first real compressor, a Quincy 60 gallon 2 stage, 2V41C60VC:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Quincy-Compressor-5-HP-60-Gallon-Two-Stage-Electric-Air-Compressor/50073343

It got delivered about a week ago and my electrician was just able to come out to run a 230V line in the garage for me.

Anyway, long story short is that after running the break-in procedure on the compressor and then letting it build pressure I found a pretty large air leak at the bottom near the drain. It does not appear to be from the elbow or compression fitting on the drain tube, but rather from the large bung plug. When I hold my hand near the leak it feels like that plug is not air tight and there is quite a bit of air coming out of the back side. When it's at 150PSI there is a good amount of air coming out and a good bit of noise.

It's a bit hard to really see with the height between the drain and the floor, but it sure feels like that large plug is where the leak is. I'm trying to determine if this is somewhat normal, and if so, should I just try tightening it down (when not under pressure, of course), should I try to remove the plug and reseal it, or something else? I assumed since it is all painted up that Quincy should have tested the tank for pressure, and coming on a pallet and in a "crate" it would be unlikely to loosen up, but I have been wrong before.

Also, does anyone know what size that plug is? I have no tool/wrench close to that size currently.

Any tips before I call Quincy tomorrow would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[manwithtools]

Leak is not normal. I doubt you will be able to easily tighten that bung if that's the source of the leak. I'd be willing to bet it's from the elbow / drain fitting, anything else should have been caught in factory QC. That bung did not loosen during shipment.

 

[HalfMoon]

That was pretty much my guess as well, but figured I would ask..

When I put my hand around the elbow/drain I don't feel any air on the inside of my hand, but I do on the back of my hand which is where that bung plug is. Opening my hand up around the larger plug and I can feel the air coming out towards the back of the compressor.

I'm hoping I don't have to get a replacement and wait another couple weeks.

 

[930dreamer]

Take the compressor back and get another new one.

 

[MrGiggles]

Not normal, as mentioned.

It would be best to remove the plug and look it over. Make sure it isn't defective in some way, maybe replace it just for good measure. Use Teflon when you put it back.

I wouldn't go through the hassle of loading it up just yet, if it just wasn't tightened enough or needs a new plug.

 

[Motorhead67]

I would not touch it.Call Quincy,they built it..... let them take care of it.

 

[71goldss]

At very low pressure I would spray the area of the leak with some soapy water and see if you can pinpoint exactly where the leak is coming from. If it's the tank then definitely call Quincy to take care of it.

I have that same compressor and Quincy's warranty service was excellent in correcting
some issues that I had with mine when I first got it.

 

[Bellaireroad]

At very low pressure I would spray the area of the leak with some soapy water and see if you can pinpoint exactly where the leak is coming from. If it's the tank then definitely call Quincy to take care of it.

I have that same compressor and Quincy's warranty service was excellent in correcting
some issues that I had with mine when I first got it.

Yeah, get a spray bottle and put a tablespoon of dishwashing soap and a cup of water. Spray it around the areas where you think you have a leak. You'll find it quick enough. If it's the bung, take it off and make sure it has an O-ring on it. Put a little pipe dope on it, and retighten with a big pipe wrench. You're good to go


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[AG Camaro]

I have the same Quincy. Got it this summer. When I fired it up at a bad leak at the ****** that goes into the tank from the switch. Called Quincy, text them a pic of the problem. They sent a repair guy out in a couple of days. The ****** was cracked where it threaded into the tank. I could have fixed it, but the compressor has a warranty, purchased the extended warranty, so why not have them fix it! And I don't know if I messed with it, if it would void the factory warranty. Bottom line call them and have them fix it! They were very responsive and I was very happy with them.

 

[HalfMoon]

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it.

I am going to call Quincy this morning to see about having them fix it. Worst case I will get Lowes involved for a replacement if it gets to that point.

 

[Bruce Amacker]

I've had several new Quincys and love them. I'm pretty sure they offer on-site repair during warranty.

Good Luck!

 

[HalfMoon]

Wanted to update...

Today a service tech came out to my house to address the leak. Outstanding guy, very knowledgeable and professional.

Anyway, he starts to debug the issue and removed teh upper pressure release valve and applies tape to it (they don't put any on at the factory). Then he checked the 90 degree elbow on the bottom of the plug that has the compression fitting to the drain valve and put tape there, as there was none.

Sure enough, it still leaked.

Next he pulled the bottom plug, which was already pretty crusty for only being a month since it was delivered. Instantly we notice that there was no o-ring on the plug. The compressor must have been built on a Friday when the assembly tech was either thinking about drinks that evening, or some other form of entertainment.

He got a new o-ring installed and applied lube to it and some anti-seize to the plug threads and put it back together. Fired it up and now there's only one small leak left, the 1/4 ball valve for the drain that is mounted to the compressor's foot. He didn't have one on the truck and apologized, but I sent him on his way with a big "thank you" and will pick up a new ball valve today and should be all set.

15 minutes after the tech left I got a call from Quincy to check on how everything was, and if I was good.

Overall the support from Quincy is pretty damned amazing when you think about what other companies call "support" these days. Considering that this compressor wasn't really that much more expensive than others in the same category, I am glad I picked Quincy.

 

[Roberts210]

Like others have said, it is more likely to be coming from whatever elbow/drain fittings are there. If it were mine I'd remove the elbow and drain fittings and install a pipe plug, tighten it good and tight, power the thing up and see if the bung is indeed the culprit. You need to be 100% sure before you address the problem.

 

[HalfMoon]

Like others have said, it is more likely to be coming from whatever elbow/drain fittings are there. If it were mine I'd remove the elbow and drain fittings and install a pipe plug, tighten it good and tight, power the thing up and see if the bung is indeed the culprit. You need to be 100% sure before you address the problem.

It's fixed now, the plug no longer leaks!

The only issue now is the 1/4" ball valve leaks slightly when in the closed position, but after dropping to 150 PSI in the tank that even stops. I'm headed out in a few minutes to buy a new ball valve and some other odds and ends.

 

[ItsNemo]

Overall the support from Quincy is pretty damned amazing when you think about what other companies call "support" these days. Considering that this compressor wasn't really that much more expensive than others in the same category, I am glad I picked Quincy.

Might be nice that they support it, but if QC missed a couple leaks on the unit I'd say they aren't doing a very good job. My IR that I bought this year had zero leaks or issues and I would have expected the same out of Quincy.

 

[montanafordman]

Might be nice that they support it, but if QC missed a couple leaks on the unit I'd say they aren't doing a very good job. My IR that I bought this year had zero leaks or issues and I would have expected the same out of Quincy.

Every company has one slip through the cracks. I just recently purchased the same Quincy compressor and have no leaks. I'm also happy with my choice.

 

[HalfMoon]

Every company has one slip through the cracks. I just recently purchased the same Quincy compressor and have no leaks. I'm also happy with my choice.

Yes, in 2014 I bought a Ford for the first time in 26 years. I sold it 10 months later because it had so many issues.

Over 35 new cars in my life and it just happened to be me returning to Ford to get the first lemon I ever purchased.

It happens, but shouldn't be used as an indicator of the entire fleet. The difference though, is that the regional Ford rep and three of my local Ford dealers really didn't want to resolve the issues...