Bad vibrations

[P&H-Gas]

My compressor has started to vibrate really badly. I was using the other night when I noticed a change in operating noise. When I looked closer it was spitting oil out of the filler/breather. I also noticed that the oil was a bit low. I drained the rest of the oil out and replaced with fresh.
I know it will vibrate a bit when running, but it is now dancing around the floor which can't be right.
I presume that the pistons are out of balance (it is a V twin), my question is, can this be easily tested and repaired or is it knackered?
It isnt a particularly expensive compressor so I dont want to spend hundreds getting it repaired.

 

[tigler]

Is it knocking or making other unusual noise ?
Could be a shot big end or broken piston.

 

[rtbcomp]

Sounds like broken piston ring(s).

Does it take longer than usual to reach full pressure?

 

[P&H-Gas]

No, its not making any knocking noises, when I drained the oil, I took the end cover off and could see the pistons, only gave them a quick look, but they seem ok, I can turn them very easily.

 

[P&H-Gas]

To be honest, I haven't let it run a full cycle as I was concerned about it shaking itself to bit and doing more damage. Are the pison rings easy to get hold of?

 

[tigler]

Are the pullies tight ? Also check the hold down bolts on the motor and pump.

 

[madkayaker]

Check the belts are properly tight and evenly tight if more than one. Check if there was any balance weights o the pulley wheel, might also be worth taking belts off and trying the motor on its own to see what condition the bearings are in but if it's dancing around the floor it's most likely to be the pump end.

 

[zzr1200]

Is it a direct or belt drive compressor???

 

[P&H-Gas]

Sorry I sould have said, its not a belt driven compressor, its direct drive, abit like this one
http://www.defendapack.co.uk/rader_60_air_compressor.htm
Although its not a clarke, its unbranded.
When i do run it, it definatley looks to be the pump end, as that is the bit that vibrates the worst.
The bolts that mount the motor are good and tight, I will check over the rest of them this afternoon.

 

[madkayaker]

Check the coupling between the motor and the pump

 

[tigler]

OK, that will be a direct coupled unit, the crank being part of the motor rotor. The crank will be overhung, that is, just one main bearing where the crank goes through the crankcase to the rotor. So, most likely main bearing failure.

 

[P&H-Gas]

Cheers for all the suggestions, i have been out in the garage and set to it with the spanners.
I have completley stripped the pump assembly and have found no major problems
With eveything off, the motor spins as smooth as silk so dont think it is the motor bearing, also there is no play in the shaft that comes out of the motor.
Both pistons have three complete rings, so its not that.
I have put it all back together and the vibration is still there. Also it doesnt seem to be building up pressure quite as quickly, but that might subjective as I dont normally watch the pressure gauge.
Any thing else I can try, or am I now the proud owner of future BBQ project and a working motor

 

[the snooper]

if its a twin cylinder check the valves maybe only one cylinder is compressing that would cause it to be out of balance

 

[P&H-Gas]

The valves looked to be alright, very simple in design, but no obvoius wear or damage.
To be honest, I am thinking of upgrading to a 3HP 100L belt driven compressor as I believe they run a lot quiter and that would be a bonus in the garage.
I might even reuse my reciever and add it to a new compressor to give me double the storage
Any opinions on Wolf Air?
I like the look of this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-Air-...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item3a7244e9a2

Any thoughts?

 

[the snooper]

wolf went bust so spares may be an issue

 

[Cally91]

The valves looked to be alright, very simple in design, but no obvoius wear or damage.
To be honest, I am thinking of upgrading to a 3HP 100L belt driven compressor as I believe they run a lot quiter and that would be a bonus in the garage.
I might even reuse my reciever and add it to a new compressor to give me double the storage
Any opinions on Wolf Air?
I like the look of this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-Air-...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item3a7244e9a2

Any thoughts?

Can't fault mine got one off these as a upgrade from 2x cheap DD ones and it's great quite and powerful i have it hooked up to a 2nd 200 lt tank and it fills it quickly as for spares I got replacement flywheel next day from this seller as it was damaged in transit I'd buy a 2nd with out thinking twice if that helps

 

[rtbcomp]

Check out this

Trade mark granted 3rd June 2010 http://www.ipo.gov.uk/domestic?domesticnum=2549365

Owned by

Wolf Licences Limited
2 Lace Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 1PB

http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03827406

Doesn't look like the most healthy company in the world! But Wolf Licences Limited are probably just the trademark holder, and not the actual manufacturer of air compressors.

You can carry on researching this by following the director name links, this will show other directorships held by the directors of Wolf Licences Limited.

Some interesting names will appear before your very eyes!

 

[the snooper]

Doesn't look like the most healthy company in the world!

doesnt look healthy is an understatment 193 quid at bank

27,050 liabilities and 2023 assets

from those figures its insolvent

 

[Robotstar5]

doesnt look healthy is an understatment 193 quid at bank

27,050 liabilities and 2023 assets

from those figures its insolvent

Isn't that how all British companies are run?

 

[the snooper]

it must have very nice / patient creditors or its one massive fiddle