Compressor oil leak

by Steve
(UK)

I have a new V-twin 3hp 50ltr compressor.

Initially it ran fine but has now within a few hours or less of service, started to violently spreay oil through what seems to be a crankcase vent.

When it worked okay air was expelled from this vent while the motor was running and there are no air leaks. The oil level was too high before the problem but is now half way up the inspection glass which looks like a pump for the oil. Any ideas?

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Bill says...

It is normal for the crank case oil fill port to have a vented cap, to allow heated air out and air in to displace any consumed oil.

Overfilling could cause oil in the sump to splash out of the sump. Many air compressors are splash lubricated, and oil does exactly that, all over the inside of the sump and lower end of the pump, and out the fill vent if there is too much oil.

I suspect that it is residual oil blowing out.

If not, that might suggest a leak to the sump from the pump, and pressurizing the sump slightly might blow oil out.

Bill