yellow junk from air compressor

[wazzabie]

I have a 1994 Sears Briggs & Straton 5hp - 20 gal tank gasoline driven air compressor. When I drain it I get a yellow slime from the peacock. I assume this is oil and water. I don't think I have all of the slime out as it moves so slow and it sticks. My concern is if this is going to cause or expedite rust inside the tank.

 

[mr.speaker]

I've had this compressor for 10 years, drain it after every use and still get that ****. Always been told it's normal though I don't know how "slimy" yours is compared to mine ..Also note, it's drained rusty water since day one of use

 

[redmondjp]

I wouldn't worry about it that much - the oil coats the inside of the metal and protects it. In a perfect world, the compressor shouldn't be putting that much oil into the tank in the first place, but I wouldn't do anything about it other than to make darn sure the pump oil level stays full.

 

[wazzabie]

It looks like junk in your photo but a bit more yellow. The tank I have sits horizontal so it does not drain out as well as your vertical tank.

What I have looks like this:

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 that you're draining Rusty Water . . . YES . . . Drain It EVERY DAY !!

Those horizontal tanks are known to have rusting problems as large area for water to sit, and as you know it doesn't drain out well. Recommend you remove the dinky drain spigot and instead screw in elbow and add length of pipe and a ball valve.

Make sure OP that your Pressure Release Valve is working and that upper limit pressure shutoff is working properly.

Also, examine BOTTOM of tank for rust problems like bubbled up paint, pin holes, etc. If bottom of tank has seam that runs right down to drain hole, pay special attention for any potential rust-through issues.

See the GJ thread for exploded air compressor tanks when rust has gotten out of hand, or pump runs without relief valve working.

 

[wazzabie]

+1 that you're draining Rusty Water . . . YES . . . Drain It EVERY DAY !!

Those horizontal tanks are known to have rusting problems as large area for water to sit, and as you know it doesn't drain out well. Recommend you remove the dinky drain spigot and instead screw in elbow and add length of pipe and a ball valve.

Make sure OP that your Pressure Release Valve is working and that upper limit pressure shutoff is working properly.

Also, examine BOTTOM of tank for rust problems like bubbled up paint, pin holes, etc. If bottom of tank has seam that runs right down to drain hole, pay special attention for any potential rust-through issues.

See the GJ thread for exploded air compressor tanks when rust has gotten out of hand, or pump runs without relief valve working.

bottom of tank has no rust. however the ones i've seen that burst online tend to look good on the outside. It is the inside which is the concern.

 

[DekeT]

Have some pressure in that tank when you open the petcock. That way the water will drain and if the oil does not - no problem.

 

[anndel]

It's a mixture of oil, water and rust.

 

[Burgerkong]

Does it look like this?

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VgOPb6U3QJs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nasty stuff, I got rid of the tank FWIW.

 

[lakeroadster]

Does it look like this?.

 

[wazzabie]

Does it look like this?

Nasty stuff, I got rid of the tank FWIW.

yes it looks like that but not as much. maybe 1/2 pint