Air compressor problems .. need help badly

bandy rooster · 04-23-08, 03:27 PM

i just picked up a used grizzly 3 HP 220 volt 11 gallon air compressor .. and its supposed to charge the tank till 125 psi but it only gets up to 35, when you turn off the compressor it stays at a steady 35 psi.

there was a bolt adjustment to + the amount of pressure in the tank and i screwed it all the way out and it did nothing.

i also took soapy water and sprayed it around the plumbing on the compressor .. there might have been tiny tiny bubbles but nothing to surmount to it working 1/4 of its power. i also checked the "check valve" and it seemed clean so i reinstalled it

any suggestions are appreciated

LandCruisers4Life · 04-23-08, 03:31 PM

Bad guage?

e9999 · 04-23-08, 04:23 PM

is there a pressure-based mechanical cutoff switch for the compressor? if so, there should be a couple of internal adjustments to set the pressure (if that's not what you already talked about).

(3HP and 220 V seems pretty big for 11 gals, what's with that?)

-Spike- · 04-23-08, 06:55 PM

Does it shut off at 35 PSI, or does the motor bog and is not able to continue? If it shuts down, the switch is most likely toast- you shouldn't be able to adjust it to shut off that low. If the motor is bogging, obviously you have a motor or electrical issue. Are you sure you're looking at tank pressure and not regulated pressure?

-Spike

hydrogeo · 04-23-08, 07:20 PM

I agree, sounds like it could be the pressure switch. If you don't mind messing with electrical stuff you can take the cover off and start the compressor to see if the contactors open when it hits 35 psi. If so I agree that the switch is probably toast unless for some reason the compressor was set up for low pressure operation. New switches are pretty cheap.

Mace · 04-23-08, 08:13 PM

Sounds to me like the cylinders need to be rebuilt..

Oiled or oilless?

bandy rooster · 04-24-08, 09:24 AM

its an oiled compressor... i called grizzley and talked to the tech guy and he said it was usually the spring in the valve just needs to be stretched causing an internal air leak... i did that with no luck..

then he mentioned something about the reeds can get worn, i purchased new reeds with gaskets and will come in the next 3-5 business days ...

the compressor does not bog down and that pressure switch that you talking about it adjusted to all the way out (+) and the compressor constantly runs...

this thing is supposed to put out 10 CFM at 50psi , its pretty neat... i'll just be using it for small HVLP paint jobs

bandy rooster · 04-24-08, 09:25 AM

the motor runs strong and constant ... which leads me to think its the compressor side that is malfunctioning... i'll probably take the head off of the compressor today to see if here is any visible signs of wear on those reeds ...

-Spike- · 04-24-08, 10:05 AM

Ah, I misunderstood, thinking it was shutting off at 35 PSI. If it's running constantly but not able to go higher than that, you've either got a leak or no compression. Sounds like you're on the right track.

-Spike

bandy rooster · 04-24-08, 08:34 PM

took it apart... the pistons look great... still have the cylinder hone marks and everything... however it looks like the goofball before had used "pipe dope" as a sealent.. this shit was everywhere.. it was even on those reeds as well, i'll clean it up and wait for my new reeds to come as well as new gaskets... this has got to be the problem... i don't think there is anything else that could be a problem

04-23-08, 03:27 PM	#1
bandy rooster IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sunny South Posts: 1,839	Air compressor problems .. need help badly i just picked up a used grizzly 3 HP 220 volt 11 gallon air compressor .. and its supposed to charge the tank till 125 psi but it only gets up to 35, when you turn off the compressor it stays at a steady 35 psi. there was a bolt adjustment to + the amount of pressure in the tank and i screwed it all the way out and it did nothing. i also took soapy water and sprayed it around the plumbing on the compressor .. there might have been tiny tiny bubbles but nothing to surmount to it working 1/4 of its power. i also checked the "check valve" and it seemed clean so i reinstalled it any suggestions are appreciated __________________ 71fj40-350,SM465,3SPD L/C T-Case,4 WDB's,SAGINAW Dude!, those are my work moccasins!

04-23-08, 03:31 PM	#2
LandCruisers4Life IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas TLCA# 16244 Posts: 1,516	Bad guage? __________________ 2004 UZJ100 "El Rinoceronte" - Gotta pay to play...

04-23-08, 04:23 PM	#3
e9999 You want to do what...? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PRK Posts: 10,121	is there a pressure-based mechanical cutoff switch for the compressor? if so, there should be a couple of internal adjustments to set the pressure (if that's not what you already talked about). (3HP and 220 V seems pretty big for 11 gals, what's with that?) __________________ '97: 86K, 3xlock, Custom HD roo bar for sale, 285 MT/Rs on steelies, Hanna sliders, 851+1.5"/863/N73/N74E/SD24, ARB bull with M12, Kaymar with duals, Kaymar rack, Slee TC skid, 2m/440, more stuff, loose nut behind the wheel!) '03: 97K, the better half's... DD

04-23-08, 06:55 PM	#4
-Spike- Sponsored by Bull Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,021	Does it shut off at 35 PSI, or does the motor bog and is not able to continue? If it shuts down, the switch is most likely toast- you shouldn't be able to adjust it to shut off that low. If the motor is bogging, obviously you have a motor or electrical issue. Are you sure you're looking at tank pressure and not regulated pressure? -Spike __________________ His 1994 TLC 'White Elephant' +6"/35" Locked and loaded. Hers '95 TLC Bare bones. "I don't understand this business of illegal aliens giving birth to American citizens. If your cat has kittens in the oven, would you call them biscuits?" -Unknown

04-23-08, 08:13 PM	#6
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,446	Sounds to me like the cylinders need to be rebuilt.. Oiled or oilless? __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

04-23-08, 07:20 PM	#5
hydrogeo IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 112	I agree, sounds like it could be the pressure switch. If you don't mind messing with electrical stuff you can take the cover off and start the compressor to see if the contactors open when it hits 35 psi. If so I agree that the switch is probably toast unless for some reason the compressor was set up for low pressure operation. New switches are pretty cheap.

04-24-08, 09:24 AM	#7
bandy rooster IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sunny South Posts: 1,839	its an oiled compressor... i called grizzley and talked to the tech guy and he said it was usually the spring in the valve just needs to be stretched causing an internal air leak... i did that with no luck.. then he mentioned something about the reeds can get worn, i purchased new reeds with gaskets and will come in the next 3-5 business days ... the compressor does not bog down and that pressure switch that you talking about it adjusted to all the way out (+) and the compressor constantly runs... this thing is supposed to put out 10 CFM at 50psi , its pretty neat... i'll just be using it for small HVLP paint jobs __________________ 71fj40-350,SM465,3SPD L/C T-Case,4 WDB's,SAGINAW Dude!, those are my work moccasins!

04-24-08, 09:25 AM	#8
bandy rooster IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sunny South Posts: 1,839	the motor runs strong and constant ... which leads me to think its the compressor side that is malfunctioning... i'll probably take the head off of the compressor today to see if here is any visible signs of wear on those reeds ... __________________ 71fj40-350,SM465,3SPD L/C T-Case,4 WDB's,SAGINAW Dude!, those are my work moccasins!

04-24-08, 10:05 AM	#9
-Spike- Sponsored by Bull Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,021	Ah, I misunderstood, thinking it was shutting off at 35 PSI. If it's running constantly but not able to go higher than that, you've either got a leak or no compression. Sounds like you're on the right track. -Spike __________________ His 1994 TLC 'White Elephant' +6"/35" Locked and loaded. Hers '95 TLC Bare bones. "I don't understand this business of illegal aliens giving birth to American citizens. If your cat has kittens in the oven, would you call them biscuits?" -Unknown

04-24-08, 08:34 PM	#10
bandy rooster IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sunny South Posts: 1,839	took it apart... the pistons look great... still have the cylinder hone marks and everything... however it looks like the goofball before had used "pipe dope" as a sealent.. this shit was everywhere.. it was even on those reeds as well, i'll clean it up and wait for my new reeds to come as well as new gaskets... this has got to be the problem... i don't think there is anything else that could be a problem __________________ 71fj40-350,SM465,3SPD L/C T-Case,4 WDB's,SAGINAW Dude!, those are my work moccasins!

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