Constant running then bleeding

by Roger
(USA)

I have a pit bull air compressor. It has 2 two gallon tanks, 2.5 hp motor, 7.5 cfm and the model number is TD-2516T. It had been sitting in my dads barn for around 4-5 years not being used so i decided to take it to my place. Anyways, sometimes the compressor will fill to around 120psi and then bleed air very fast down to around 90 psi then it will start to refill back up to 120psi. It will keep bleeding and refilling as long as it is on, however sometimes it fills to 120psi and holds pressure like its suppose to. Any idea what the problem is? Does the pressure switch need to be replaced?

Thank you very much.

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Bill says...

Hi Roger:

I doubt very much if it's your pressure switch, based on what you've said.

My guess is that your check valve isn't seating properly, and the air is bleeding back out of the tank almost as fast as your compressor pumps it into the tank.

Sometimes the check valve will seat, and when that happens, your tank stays full.

Check out "Check Valves" from the Valves page for more info on what and where they are.

Unplug your compressor, drain the air down to zero, leave the tanks drain valve open, remove and clean / examine the check valve and see if that helps.

Cheers,

Bill