Compressor wont build pressure in tanks

by Nic Hill
(East Peoria, IL USA)

It pumps air, as verified by removing the line from pump to tank. Check valve in line was OK. Holds air pressure in tank when line to pressure control is removed and capped. I can feel it leaking out of the switch on and off area ( assuming this is the pressure control) when switched off.

What can I test and how can I fix?

Thanks

Nic

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Bill says...

Nic, the compressor is pumping, and air is not building up in the tank, right?

While the compressor is running, get close to, listen to, or feel the outlet from your unloader valve. Is it bleeding air?

If it is, your check valve is either not seated properly, or it has failed.

Cheers,

Bill




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Compressor wont build pressure in tanks

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Aug 30, 2010
 Re. check valve problem???
by: Nic

Thanks for the quick reply. I assume the unloader valve is the valve at the end of the plastic tube coming fom the T at the check valve. It leaks occasionally but not regularly when I was testing it. I took apart the line and check valve and all appears well. How tight is the tension in the spring spposed to be? I cannot budge it blowing into it but I can depress it with a nail. Do you think its the check valve I need?

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If the check valve has a flawed seat (maybe some debris preventing it closing) , then air will blow out the unloader valve continuously.

If it's intermittent, that may signal an intermittent check valve issue, again, maybe debris.

Check out the Unloader Valve page linked from the site map or Valve page for more details on their operation.

Cheers,

Bill

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