Air leaking through the intake filter

by Nick
(Baltimore)

This is a Champion 3Z172. Air is leaking through the air intake. Compressor pumps up fine but takes about one minute to leak down to 90 lbs and then compressor comes on again.

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Bill says...

Inside the port that the intake filter is threaded into is one or two "flapper" or "reed" type valves. Their purpose is to open to allow air to be pulled into the compressor chamber, and they should close when the piston pumps the air into the tank.

If you have air coming out the intake filter, then your valve(s) are failing, and ultimately, air will simply pump in and out of your intake port and none will go into the tank, and your compressor will never shut off.

If you aren't comfortable opening up the pump head to have a look (it might be just debris preventing the valve from closing) then it's time to take your compressor to a repair depot. See a list under "Repairs".

Cheers,

Bill