Old Air Compressor Help

[Kevs02Accord]

Hello all. Looking for some help, got quite a few questions. See the TLDR below. First a little back story. I have been working on cars here and there since I was 15 and I have always enjoyed the end result. Slowly over the years I have been piecing together my assortment of automotive tools. Well me and my wife finally came to a head, I needed a new air compressor, a big one. After several years she relented and I went searching. I was going to go new but didn't like the quality for my price range 600-800, less for used though. I started stalking CL for older / vintage compressors and it was a PIA. No call backs, no returned emails, just all around flaky people. Lets not mention the prices, in my part of Ohio these people are asking way too much for these older compressors. I found out the hard way if you see a good deal jump on it, so I did. I picked up an older LeRoi Dresser series 5000. It was being used in a small amateur auto shop for ~ 1 year, the owner had a newer one and was using that recently and wanted to get the Dresser out of the way. I picked it up and man this thing was huge. The tank plate states 1972. Any way I normally do tons of research etc... but I found out I was missing out on CL deals.

TLDR: Bought an older, used air compressor on short notice, now I need some advice.

Just going to ask a couple of questions at a time.

1. I had the compressor laying flat in my truck and oil appears to have leaked out around the large flywheel, is this bad?

2. Drain valves, it looks like there is one on the bottom of the tank and on a water trap, it has a small shaft with a little inverted "T" but I can't seem to move it, any suggestions? Wrench, pliers?

Appreciate the help. I have several pictures I can post if that helps.

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Bump.

 

[Jere]

The leaky oil is normal if it was on its side.

The get the drain valve out get a bigger wrench or heat the fitting with a heat gun then wrench it off.

 

[CNGsaves]

Let's SEE the beast !!



For other GJer's . . . . . . TLDR . . . . Too Long Didn't Read

First time I've seen "Executive Summary" used in a GJ post !!

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Ok, so attached pics. Its kind of cramped right now so I dont have a full shot of it.

You can see where the oil dripped down. I took pics of stuff I was wondering about. You can see the style of drain valve I was talking about and what I am guessing is the wiring, which I have no idea how to hook it up, any suggestions? I am a little concerned neither of these boxes has covers. Also, how can I clean up the label on the motor?

 

[CNGsaves]

Did you buy on blind faith that compressor really ran ?? Looks incomplete.

Still need MORE PICS . . . . like the compressor itself, tank label, bottom of compressor tank where actual water drain will be, Baldor motor label, etc.

 

[930dreamer]

Does the pump look like this?

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

Good luck with your new compressor, I suspect it may need quite a few parts, and because it's a commercial grade machine you will have a good machine once you are done rebuilding it but you will pay a good amount for parts.

I just finished rebuilding an Eagle 5HP 18.5 CFM compressor I bought used, the machine was used in a commercial print shop and was one of 2 units that was for sale, I got the 230 VAC single phase unit. The date on the name plate was 2002 IIRC.

Hopefully yours is 1 phase and not 3 phase.

I was able to call Wood Industries who is the Manufacturer for my machine and found them very helpful for my initial research, you will need to find a forum for your machine if the manufacturer is out of business.

My compressor had a few bumps in it's life and some very badly executed repairs including wrong parts installed and unsafe wiring, similar to yours and I found a few crispy wires which indicated an issue I needed to deal with.

First thing I did was wrap the motor in a large plastic bag and sprayed the machine down with a degreaser, then gave it a good cleaning with my pressure washer.
(I should have just removed the motor but at the time I didn't realise I would need to strip the entire machine down.)

After that I was able to evaluate what was needed to get it running.

The most expensive item I needed was the pressure switch, it had a cheap knock off installed and not rated for 5HP, the correct one was a Condor (German made) and was $125.00 found at a local dealer, they were over $150 on ebay.
I also noted the safety cage around the pulleys and belt was cracked and the belt was very stiff and had a warp in it.

I also got a new un-loader pipe as the original was bent and squashed and looked like heck.

I purchased new wiring (2/10 AWG Cabtie) and all new connectors for the motor to pressure switch and to the wall, I hardwired it as recommended and it's less money than buying plugs and outlets.

Changed the oil, (twice) the old oil looked like a muddy soup and it was still a little milky after I ran it the first few times.

After that I fired her up and she ran but was very loud and lumpy, (belt needed replacement and aligned properly)
I also noticed the un-loader valve was leaking, so I removed the check valve at the top of the tank and cleaned it in my ultrasonic cleaner but it still leaked so I bought a new one. ($22.00)

I learned a lot about my new compressor and spent $270 to get it up and running properly but I wouldn't have known anything about it if didn't get to fix it first.

This link will get you a manual for your machine.

http://factoryautomanuals.net/archive/l/leroi-dresser-air-compressor-manual.pdf

Answers to your questions.

Drain the oil and refill it, you will find out if it leaks once you fire it up, and then you can deal with any issue if required.

The drains will open but I recommend removing them and cleaning them or replace them as those are only $3.00 each.

Good luck.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

The drains turn clockwise to open. Make sure you are turning the right way.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Does the pump look like this?

Some of the finest compressors ever made. Every bit as good as a Quincy pressure lube, and probably cooler running due to the separate cylinders. These and the QR-25's were all they ever used on the oilfield drill rigs. I don't think they are made anymore sadly. They were brought back a few years ago as the Comp-Air Life-Line series, intended for railroad airbrake use I think, but I think they got lost in the shuffle when Comp-Air sloughed off a bunch of divisions a few years ago.

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Thanks all for the replies. I have attached a few more pictures. Some of the compressor and one of the motor. It is a single phase. I figured out the drain valves, the one on the water trap was broken so I just removed it. The drain on the bottom worked, I probably got 1-1.5 gallons out of it, yikes.

If I can get a wiring schematic that would help with getting it hooked up, hopefully I can get some where with that. I contacted CompAir, who I think bought out LeRoi but I have not heard back yet.

The boxes have me a little concerned, is there a way these can be covered, I don't feel really comfortable with exposed wires.

How exactly do you set the pressure shut off, I have a pressure gauge, I am guessing there are pressure valves with springs?

Kiwi, whats up with the bogus site, not cool.

 

[CNGsaves]

Wow, that's a nice score !! True 5 HP 230v Baldor motor and compressor with intercooler !

Ought to dump some cleaner in tank and get any rust out of there. Would be good idea to look around inside tank with boroscope to investigate if any serious rust/pitting problems.

+1 to keep posting pics & getting help from guru's to restore that gem. Take your time and do it right.

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Wow, that's a nice score !! True 5 HP 230v Baldor motor and compressor with intercooler !

Ought to dump some cleaner in tank and get any rust out of there. Would be good idea to look around inside tank with boroscope to investigate if any serious rust/pitting problems.

+1 to keep posting pics & getting help from guru's to restore that gem. Take your time and do it right.

Thanks man. Any suggestions on what cleaner to use? I have heard about doing this before but the concern was that doing so would remove an protective coating in the tank. I am guessing I would need to pull the motor and compressor off first so I can roll it around?

 

[CNGsaves]

I think you could safely put some CLR (calcium/lime/rust) cleaner in tank. If you went to effort of removing ********* plug, you could spray CLR on the walls of tank with flexible wand and let it run down to bottom of tank. Likely could do this without dis-assembling the compressor from tank. Then wash out the CLR and eventually put some oil coating inside.

Being in body shop before, you'll definitely want to clean/replace air filter.

Keep digging up information on compressor and GJer gurus will chime in soon, to help with your wiring, etc.

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

Kiwi, whats up with the bogus site, not cool.

Sorry man, I didn't enter my email so didn't verify it but it looked legit.

My apologies,

Good to see you have the drains open.

You maybe able to buy new electric boxes with lids and fit the existing components into them.

 

[mikegt4]

Nice score. Those old Wayne 5000 pumps are top drawer. Clean it up a bit and it will look like this.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113115

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Sorry man, I didn't enter my email so didn't verify it but it looked legit.

My apologies,

Good to see you have the drains open.

You maybe able to buy new electric boxes with lids and fit the existing components into them.

I was mostly disappointed I couldn't get the manual, oh well.

Nice score. Those old Wayne 5000 pumps are top drawer. Clean it up a bit and it will look like this.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113115

Maybe a dumb question, so that is a Wayne 5000 series pump? I didn't know that and it might make finding parts easier.

I think you could safely put some CLR (calcium/lime/rust) cleaner in tank. If you went to effort of removing ********* plug, you could spray CLR on the walls of tank with flexible wand and let it run down to bottom of tank. Likely could do this without dis-assembling the compressor from tank. Then wash out the CLR and eventually put some oil coating inside.

Being in body shop before, you'll definitely want to clean/replace air filter.

Keep digging up information on compressor and GJer gurus will chime in soon, to help with your wiring, etc.

Thanks man, I never would have thought about the wand sprayer, I have one I use for my lawn. I am pretty nervous about the air filter, I am assuming its going to be terrible.

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Just a brief update, I was cleaning some of the grime off the compressor and noticed number series, didn't know if it meant anything, it reads H 100 213?

 

[mikegt4]

Maybe a dumb question, so that is a Wayne 5000 series pump? I didn't know that and it might make finding parts easier.

Wayne was a pump company with a long history mostly in the oil industry. They made equipment for service stations, oil and grease dispensers and air compressors. They were always merging with, buying or being bought out by other companies. Dresser bought them in the 1960s forming Dresser-Wayne. LeRoi was also part the the business. Your pump may have been called a Wayne, Wayne-Dresser or LeRoi-Dresser depending on the corporate structure at the time that it was made.

Wayne made all sorts of air compressor pumps (and the tanks) and the "5000" series was a good one. Parts are still available, not like a Quincy but they are out there. They won't be cheap either.

photos that I found on the net over time of a few different Wayne compressors
6208
5228
6378
5228
396
D15

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Wayne was a pump company with a long history mostly in the oil industry. They made equipment for service stations, oil and grease dispensers and air compressors. They were always merging with, buying or being bought out by other companies. Dresser bought them in the 1960s forming Dresser-Wayne. LeRoi was also part the the business. Your pump may have been called a Wayne, Wayne-Dresser or LeRoi-Dresser depending on the corporate structure at the time that it was made.

Wayne made all sorts of air compressor pumps (and the tanks) and the "5000" series was a good one. Parts are still available, not like a Quincy but they are out there. They won't be cheap either.

photos that I found on the net over time of a few different Wayne compressors
6208
5228
6378
5228
396
D15

Great info, I really appreciate that. It definitely looks like the photos of the 5228 model. I did searching last night and most forums about Wayne compressors point to one site as the source so I will likely use them if I can't find the parts elsewhere.

I did Google up the pressure switch and figured out how to wire that up and that there are replacement boxes easily available, which I might get unless I can figure something out from Lowes or HD to cover the boxes.

Weird thing happened, I thought someone posted in this forum that the bigger box was a thermal breaker, but I can't find that post any more. So I am still not sure about the larger box, if its even necessary.

I have been thinking about not rebuilding the motor since the parts are expensive and hard to find and see how it works like it is.

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Another update with a couple more questions. First some pictures of the tank plate, guess I could have answered a couple of questions on my own by looking at this, clearly states Wayne / Dresser. A pic of the air filter, actually not too bad. Then a few questions, is that a grease fitting on the top of the motor? See the pic with red circles, I think the bottom one is the oil drain plug, the top I am guessing is the unloader, should this be connected to something? What about the one on the left, oil fill? I have no idea where to aid oil, I am not seeing any place else on the compressor.

 

[hondacivic247]

The bottom piece coming off the pump is to drain the oil. Above it to the left is the oil dip stick and where you fill it. I would drain the oil and toss some mobil 1 compressor oil in it. The unloader looks like a line may be missing hard to tell

 

[JimmyJoeBob]

Well, I have that exact one, from 1983 or 1985 . It has a knock since i bought it, was run by a three ph 5hp and replaced with a 7hp. Very good compressor and now looking into rebuilding it.

This pump puts out 18cfm at 175 psi, and is a 200psi unit

Mine is working, if you need to know where anything goes, just ask me Ill photograph it

tried to get the file linked in previous post. Id love to get the manual of my compressor if anyone has it.

Here's a few pics of mine:

serial number for cool info:

 

[Wabash]

I too have a LeRoi - Dresser 5000 with Wayne pump. Mine was manufactured in 1978. I have pdfs of the Operation/Maintenance manual with rebuild instructions and parts diagrams plus a wear limit table chart to measure tolerances.

P.M. me if you'd like a copy.

 

[JimmyJoeBob]

Wow, that's great. the pump original design was somewhere in the 60s, if you look closely at the oil level sight glass, some have a different design that sticks out.

Im pming you right now for the manual. Been looking for it for a while

 

[Wabash]

My compressor is identical to yours Jimmy.

 

[JimmyJoeBob]

So far no replies from the various parts places, I guess they dont take email seriously in this day and age.

Only thing that would make this unit better is pressure lube like a QR-25, but still my unit survived for 22 years before me, and I still didnt rebuild it and been using it for sandblasting.

It was used in a abs and pvc recycling plant before I acquired it.

 

[JimmyJoeBob]

Wabash: Same unit with low oil level shutdown (not hooked up but present) http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113115&highlight=wayne+5000

 

[JimmyJoeBob]

I've got a lead on parts. the rebuild kit is roughly 150$ us. It's apparently readily advailable. They referenced me to a place in canada, ill see how much they want. Ill have to sell mine this summer cause i got a 447 powered devair that I want to set up. But yeah, they are good, Ive had mine with a rod knock for over 10-12 years and it never got worse.

 

[Kevs02Accord]

keep me posted as well. There were a few places i came up with that hard parts, but i didnt keep track because i was still just looking around.

 

[78dwk]

I too have a LeRoi - Dresser 5000 with Wayne pump. Mine was manufactured in 1978. I have pdfs of the Operation/Maintenance manual with rebuild instructions and parts diagrams plus a wear limit table chart to measure tolerances.

P.M. me if you'd like a copy.

i have the same pump, do you still have the pdf? Thanks Godbless