Head gasket keeps blowing

by Ed Kirol
(Santa Maria CA)

I have a CH Air Compressor FL-3503-00,

After blowing 2 gaskets, I check the check valve, it was ok, so I cleaned it.

Then I took the head and the cylinder housing in to the machine shop.

Installed it, new gasket, this time, instead of using 150 in torque, I used about 130, Yea, it blowed again.

The machine shop wants to put a grove in the cylinder housing and use a rubber gasket, which he says is more giving. Any idea what is causing the gaskets to blow.

Oh I also used a new head.

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Bill says...

Compressed air is powerful. If it has an opening, it will go through it. If there's a gasket in the way, it will blow the gasket out with it.

You took the head and cylinder housing into the machine shop. Why? Did they machine the surfaces?

If a surface to surface finish is right, the gasket is good, the torque is good, and the pressure is within the parameters of the system, then the gasket shouldn't blow until it deteriorates to the point it can't stop air flow.

I'm guessing that you've got a clearance issue (maybe an overheated compressor head?) and maybe a better gasket might solve the problem.

Cheers and good luck.

I welcome any and all comments from those more qualified to advise Ed than I.

Bill