Speedaire model 5F237A (or motor model)

by Raymond Kasey
(Falls Church, VA)

When I turn on my compressor it begins to smoke. Does it need oil? I have never put any in it since it was an electric motor.

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Bill says tell it it's a bad compressor...

Hi Raymond. Thanks for writing in.

Smack your compressor on it's air tank and tell it it's a bad compressor for smoking... and then perhaps tell us what about the compressor is smoking?

If it's the motor, that's not good. Might need a new one. The question then is why did the motor fail?

You say you have never put oil in your Speedaire compressor. Do you know if it's an oil-lubed or oil-free compressor? If the latter, no oil is needed.

If it's oil lubed see this page for details and you've run out of oil.. well... what happens if you run your car without engine oil? The motor seizes. And if the compressor motor has seized due to lack of oil, then that would fry your motor.

Keep us posted.

Bill