Compressor Air Leak. Help please.!

[Compleks]

Okay, so after I finally get my compressor converted to a silent (fridge motor) compressor it goes and springs a leak!

I've attached an image I took.
I was painting away as per normal today, when I started to lose pressure. Which was odd because the motor was still running, but the gauge had dropped. I could hear air escaping and noticed oil leaking from what I thought was the pressure switch housing.

Anyway. You can see marked with the blue arrow the direction the air is escaping (out between the two electrical cable inserts), and the red x is where I assume the leak must be.
Problem is, I can't access it. There is no way I know of getting into this spot without tearing things apart.

Not looking good and I don't have the funds to get a replacement at this stage.

Does anyone have experience with this or know of a solution?

Thanks.

 

[Madbrush]

Looking at the photo I'm guessing there is a gasket seal broken and is leaking air on one side of the side, that being the side where your blue arrow is, if you can remove the two bolts you can see above right and left of the pressure release ring, also there will be two somewhere at the back to remove, once you've done this the electrical part on top should lift up enough to give you access to replace the seal, you can buy stuff form hardware shops to to cut and make your own seals, also if you check the copper pipe right of the pressure release where your red cross is, your leak could be coming from there, if that's the case a little ptfe tape should fix that in a jiffy, I would suggest you check there first, might save you some unnecessary work, but all is not lost, I do believe it's a quick fix as long as you apply a little common sense, patience and work methodically.

Hope this helps

 

[WhiteKnight]

It might be the one way valve that is stuck, if you turn off the compressor does it continue to lose air? If it does, the pressure is coming from the tank back towards the motor and escaping through the unloader valve most probably it could be fouled with oil. An other possibility is the unloader vale itself that is stuck open. The unloader valve is a valve which releases the pressure on the line coming from the motor when the tank as reached its desired pressure and stops (The "pshh" sound when the motor stops). When it is stuck open it will let air out as soon as the motor is running it will not empty the tank but it will no longer fill it.

Hope it gives you a lead

 

[Compleks]

You guys are legends, really.

I will have a chance to work on it next week. I will report back with results.

If it is the unloader valve, how can I get it to close again?

Thanks again, you guys are awesome.

 

[Compleks]

So I've been reading up a bit more about the unloader valve.
Just to clarify, the unloader valve is different to the pressure release valve right?

The pressure relief valve has a ring attached to it so I can manually release all the pressure from the tank when necessary. Correct?

I haven't found any instruction on how to fix an unloader valve which is stuck open. Other than replacing the entire pressure switch, which presumably also houses the unloader valve.
Although the pressure switch on my compressor (see earlier photo) seems to be some distance from where the air is being released from...

Confused.!

 

[Madbrush]

So I've been reading up a bit more about the unloader valve.
Just to clarify, the unloader valve is different to the pressure release valve right?

The pressure relief valve has a ring attached to it so I can manually release all the pressure from the tank when necessary. Correct?

I haven't found any instruction on how to fix an unloader valve which is stuck open. Other than replacing the entire pressure switch, which presumably also houses the unloader valve.
Although the pressure switch on my compressor (see earlier photo) seems to be some distance from where the air is being released from...

Confused.!

Compleks, if your pressure release valve was stuck open the air would be coming out of of that little hole on the side of it just as it does when you pull on the ring, the one way valve that white knight is referring to is what some of us call a "non return valve", it's purpose is to insure that all air going in to the tank stays in the tank stays in the tank until you use it up or release it, it works the same way as the valve on your car or bicycle tires.

I cant tell you without intense photos where that is, but maybe white knight can tell you better, or if have a manual for the parts you used.

 

[Compleks]

Thanks mate. I think I get the idea now, and could probably locate it. Assuming it is the reason for the leak.
Might be difficult to get to it though. Plus I'm not sure how I would go about getting it to close again.

Cheers everyone.

 

[Madbrush]

Thanks mate. I think I get the idea now, and could probably locate it. Assuming it is the reason for the leak.
Might be difficult to get to it though. Plus I'm not sure how I would go about getting it to close again.

Cheers everyone.

Check the other items first that you do know about and if they are ok then you can try that, if it's stuck open it could be a little dirt or something, just clean it, if it's broken, find a replacement part or similar replacement unit.

 

[Madbrush]

A little tip for you Kompleks, if you mix a little dish wash liquid with water half and half, you dab this onto all of your joints with small soft brush, it will bubble up, this will help you to precisely pinpoint where your leak is and may save you time.

 

[WhiteKnight]

So I've been reading up a bit more about the unloader valve.
Just to clarify, the unloader valve is different to the pressure release valve right?

Right.

The pressure relief valve has a ring attached to it so I can manually release all the pressure from the tank when necessary. Correct?

The pressure relief valve (the one with the ring) is a safety system, the valve will open automatically should the pressure in the system exceed a predetermined safe pressure. The ring is so you can periodically test if the valve is working normally, it is not really to empty the system, the tank should have a drain at the bottom somewhere where you can drain the fluids that might of condensed in the tank and the air as well.

I haven't found any instruction on how to fix an unloader valve which is stuck open. Other than replacing the entire pressure switch, which presumably also houses the unloader valve.
Although the pressure switch on my compressor (see earlier photo) seems to be some distance from where the air is being released from...

Confused.!

I do not know the model of your pressure switch, the unloader valves on mine are on the outside of the pressure switch, and they are linked mechanically, so when the switch turns on the motor it closes the unloader valve and when it turns it off it opens the valve.
Sometimes to get it unstuck you just have to fiddle with it a bit.

if you can find the model and part number maybe you can find a diagram. Make sure nothing is interfering with the switch.

Hope it helps

 

[Compleks]

Thanks for all the advice guys, been very helpful.

I got a chance to play with it today and figured out exactly what the problem is. WhiteKnight was spot on. The unloader valve is not closing as it should, so the air just leakes continuously. If I manually pull the pin it will close, but I can't do that when the pressure switch is attached.
I will add a few photos so you can see what I'm talking about (if anyone is interested).

I oiled it up to see if it would help, but it just won't close by itself. I will try and get a replacement valve. I'm not sure why this would happen, but hopefully I can replace the valve and that will be it. Rather than replacing the entire compressor!

 

[Compleks]

Will upload photos tomorrow. Can't do it from work.

 

[Compleks]

Here you can see where the valve is located under the pressure switch base plate.
You can see in the second photo the valve is closed (pin in the up position). I had to push the pin up from underneath using a paperclip as it's spring loaded. The air flow should close the valve when the motor is running, but it is getting stuck in the open position.

Anyway. I learned a lot in this thread and from pulling it all apart and trying to fix it.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Happy I could help