Portable compressor spitting oil out vent hole

by Robert
(Anza, CA, USA)

I have an upright compressor similar to this model...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-hp-21-gallon-115-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-94667.html

I don't recall where I bought it, it's been a few years. But it doesn't have any brand info I can find.

It was low on oil and was overfilled, then the oil was foaming out the vent hole. It was shut down and now on start up it is spitting oil and not running smooth.

It seems to be struggling to turn over.

What can I do?

Please help,

Thank you,
Robert

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Bill says...

When you say oil is coming out the vent hole, do you mean the intake hole?

My guess is that you have a lot of oil that has bypassed the cylinder seals and into the compression chamber.

Oil doesn't compress (at least, theoretically not) so I think that the oil is causing substantial load increase on the cycling of the piston, and this is transferred back to the motor, causing the symptoms.

If oil is coming out the intake port, then it has fouled the intake valve too.

I suggest removing the head and cleaning it out thoroughly, and make sure that there isn't too much oil still in the sump as the problems will just return if there is.

Good luck,

Bill




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Portable compressor spitting oil out vent hole

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Jun 08, 2010
 what type of oil?
by: Anonymous

thanks Bill. A friend loaned me an oil transfer pump and it definitely had WAY too much oil in the sump. I've drained it all and now need to replace the oil. What type of oil should I use?

Thanks,
Robert

____________________

Have a look at the info on this page:

http://www.about-air-compressors.com/how-to-change-compressor-oil.html

Cheers,

B.

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