Thread: Arrrggh - My air compressor just cost me $300

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I have a 60 gallon 220v Air compressor that I bought new just 5 years ago. A week ago it started making some noises and wouldn't build any pressure.

I took the pump off and started taking it appart to find out that the valve came loose inside the cyl and tore things up pretty badly. Cyl walls, head, and piston are all chewed up like a puppy with a slipper. A new pump for this thing cost me $300. It's not hard work but it sure is a pain. Just in time for christmas too. Normal maintenance would not have prevented this from happening as the problem was on the top end and frequent oil changes would not have prevented it.

You don't realize how much you miss using your air tools until you ain't got no air. This week felt like working one hand tied behind my back while blindfolded.

oh. well... anyone need a good boat anchor?

Jerome

mine has`nt broken yet but it will not start on its` on .. i have to hit the reset button every time .. since new ..

Air compressors seem to be one of those tools that don't last forever without some breakage along the way. We've had similar issues with ours. We have an Eaton 3 cylinder that puts out enough air for all the things we do, but we have had to do some repairs since buying it new about 4 years ago. Eaton has been super about sending new parts, even though we are out of warranty, so I can't say anything bad about them as a company.

So far we have had one motor fail (they sent us a new one free of charge) then the compressor failed (and they sent a new one of those too) This was over the span of several years. A couple of months ago we started blowing circuit breakers and the fix was to take apart the check valve on the tank and clean out some debris. It was preventing the head pressure from bleeding off and subsequently, the motor was trying to overcome too much cylinder pressuer on start up.

We ultimately found out the debris was part of the tin gasket that seperates the head from the cylinder..........it was coming apart. We bought a new gasket set from Eaton, cleaned up the mating surfaces, and all has been well since then. (fingers crossed )

So, I understand your frustration with you compressor. Like you, we really depend on ours to do so many tasks like painting, grinding, and just blowing off stuff. I guess they just require periodic repairs in addition to the regular maintenance.

This stuff just seems to happen at the worst times though, like Christmas, in your case.

Don

Is it a single stage??? If so, Northern tools sells a reasonably priced replacement compressor. Before I got my big 2 stage unit my old single stage seemed to eat a compressor about once every 3 or 4 years......

These work good...http://www.harborfreight.com/145-psi...ump-67698.html

And heres a 20 percent coupon....http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wsw...9&keycode=0000

Mine is a 2 stage compressor that is a Cast-Air model. My friends all have ones from the same company. My friends have a larger tank and ultimately a bigger motor but it is the same pump. This thing runs slow as they only run it at 757 rpm - as it was designed. I bought a bigger compressor and a better quality product as I'm tired of buying things that don't last... so I started a few years ago in investing in better quality tools.

The company that I bought the compressor from sold me the new pump at dealer costs which was now $269.00 plus tax. Still expensive... but a savings. I did the work myself which saved a service call and labor rates.

well i know all about this . my small 3.1/2hp i put two motors on and one pump head. my last 5 hp alum pump head lasted 23 years.i can count on one hand how many times i changed the oil and beat the piss out of it .motor went and the heads push some oil out the crank case . so i was dead in the water. went got a loan for a iron head pump 5 hp what is made in mi ? was working on paying it off then set my self on fire and that screwed every thing up

Get a USA made Champion or comparable. Used ones will last forever.

Mine is about 20 years old and is sounding like it is needing a rebuild,I am going to look into a new pump this spring before I do some painting.