Air compressor problems .. need help badly

[bandy rooster]

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]

Bad guage?

 

[e9999]

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-]

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]

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]

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

Oiled or oilless?

 

[bandy rooster]

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]

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-]

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]

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 s*** 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