Air Compressor Is Broken

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Air Compressor Is Broken
(Last Updated On: September 18, 2020)

For the many of us that have purchased an entry level air compressor from a big box store or online, when the air compressor is broken, we soon come to realize that, depending on the brand, there is very little information available to help you resolve broken compressor issues.

Air Compressor Is Broken

Note that we wrote “when the air compressor is broken”. It is often the case that the relatively inferior products used in building low cost air compressors deliver the kind of life the you might expect; short!

Often, too, folks buy a low cost compressor for air-using applications that would be best served by a much better (and yes, higher priced) compressor, but either don’t understand that there is a huge difference in reliability between one or the other, or just want to spend as little as possible on their compressor, and hope for the best. If you fall into the latter category, we sure hope you aren’t using your compressor to make a living!

broken air compressor

Regardless, this page is here to help you fill the gap between when an air compressor is broken and the absence of advice, parts or service from the clerks at the various big box stores or online vendors where you may have purchased your compressor.

The category headings are there to try to help you find the pages of information you need.

Air Compressor Is Broken Issues

  1. Air compressor will not stop running
  2. The lights are dimming when my air compressor starts
  3. Why I put a diaper on my air compressor?
  4. No air comes out of the air line?
  5. I tipped the air compressor over!

Howdy! If the issue you are facing with your air compressor is not shown in the list above, please add a comment, and we’ll see if we can find someone to provide guidance.

 

Yes, compressors can blow up!

Question:

“My xxxx air compressor blew up in the garage. Took out block wall & ceiling out above (12′). Why or how did this happen? 3hp 30gal.”
___________

 

Here is my response:

I can’t be sure since I’m not seeing the remains, nor did I see the compressor before the accident, but it sounds to me like your compressor pressure switch may have failed.

compressors can blow up

If the pressure switch doesn’t shut off the compressor at the high pressure setpoint, then the compressor will keep running and building pressure in the tank. If that happens your pressure relief valve is supposed to open to vent overpressure before exactly what you say happened, happens.

So, pressure switch failure, and then a PRV failure, or did you even have one installed?

Both failing at the same time is a very unlikely occurrence and I’m sure sorry that you were the subject of the unhappy results. Good luck with the next one.

And periodically carefully pull out on the ring of the PRV until air exhausts through it,  and then push the valve stem back into place until it seats to cut off the air flow. This to make sure that it operates freely and can do so should an overpressure occur.

Have you checked your PRV lately?

Hello, I am Bill, the Compressed-Air-Man. I have years of experience in industrial and residential compressed air applications, air compressors and general pneumatics. I created this site to help professionals, students, and DIYers understand and properly implement and maintain compress3ed air systems.

5 COMMENTS

  1. I like that you mentioned how sometimes it is worth getting a higher priced compressor. Sometimes the quality is what you need in your home or car. This can make the difference during the hot summer months.

  2. I have an old Speedaire compressor that will run fine and fill the tank but just the motor just hums when it needs to top off the tank when in use. If I let it cool down awhile it will run again. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Its model # is 5F237A.

    • Well Chris, if the compressor motor is humming when it needs to start or restart, that’s indicating that the motor isn’t getting enough “juice” to overcome the load when it’s trying to start. Given that your Speedaire is older, that suggests to me that, and if the power supply scenario hasn’t changed since before the problem, your motor may have a start capacitor failing, since it’s the start capacitor that helps boost the electric motor to start against load.

      While not directly addressing a buzzing compressor motor, this page may help understand the process: https://understanding-air-compressors.com/the-lights-dim-when-my-air-compressor-starts/

      Please Google how to check or test a compressor motor capacitor for guidance on checking yours. Good luck.

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