Kobalt compressor starts, builds pressure, won't restart

by Matt
(East Tennessee)

Bill, I have a (MD#232177) Kobalt 5.5gal 1.5 hp air compressor that isn't even a year old.

With an empty tank, when the compressor is first turned on it fires up and runs like a dream. It will run until it builds its maximum pressure and turn off.

After the tank is bled down to the point where it needs to kick back on and build the pressure back up the motor will just hum until the breaker trips.

I took the back off of it and tested it and the piston isn't wanting to complete its first half cycle. It starts in the down position and makes it 1/4 of the way up but then sticks.

I tried lubricating with WD40 and that seemed to help for a few minutes but it eventually reverted back to not cycling at all.

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Bill says...

Matt, shut it off, bleed the tank to zero, and turn it on. Monitor the unloader valve. (see UNLOADER VALVE) for details.

If the unloader doesn't work, that's your problem.

Post a comment here if you would to let us know if that was the problem.

Cheers,

Bill