Compressor wont hold air

by Alan
(Wausau, WI. U.S.)

I have an interesting problem. When I start my up right craftsman compressor everything works fine. EXCEPT my regulator. It can be turned all the way down to 0 psi. When the tank builds pressure (tank gauge goes up), the regulator gauge goes up also. when I shut it off the air bleeds out of the regulator knob area until all air has been depleted. If I turn the regulator up to 50 psi the compressor will build up to 50 psi and then air will bleed off. The tank pressure will never exceed what I have the regulator set at. If I set the regulator at 75psi, the tank will start to bleed off air at 75psi and go no further. The compressor WILL CONTINUE to run, but never exceding the regulator setting. I replaced the regulator and still the same results. WHAT is up with this???

Sears Craftsman
model # 919.166441
ser. # 2516071998
15 Gal.
150 psi. max.
5 HP
single cylinder
oil free

___________________
Bill says...

First question... did you install the regulator with the correct air flow through it?

By this I mean, the air flow through the regulator is from the tank through the regulator to the downstream application. Usually there is an arrow on the regulator showing the flow path. The shaft of the arrow is the supply from the tank, the point of the arrow is to the downstream application.

Your symptoms sound like a regulator installed backwards, to me.

Cheers,

Bill