Compressor struggling to make air

[1.8T]

We have an old tool king compressor which gets occasional use inflating tyres etc, recently its began to struggle to make air and wont go above 50psi now, any ideas what the most likely cause is and whether you can get the parts being a 16 year old machine

 

[RonA]

Does it have connections on the head/s you can connect a compression tester too.
If you can why not give it the same check you'd use on an engine. Check it dry & then introduce a sqirt of oil, if the pressure goes up the piston rings or bore are suspect.
RonA

 

[MoreWellie]

first check the head bolts, I had a similar problem with mine and found that the head bolts had come loose. I couldn't find a torque setting for them so just did them up by feel and it all worked fine again

Hope yours is as easy to fix

 

[rtbcomp]

When it stops pumping can you hear air escaping?

 

[1.8T]

I took the cover off for a better look, it doesnt look as though you can use a compression tester very easily, i did notice that the head and barrel where a bit oily so i did check the head bolts and they where a bit loose, i nipped them up but its still the same, it could be though that the gaskets need replacing, it doesnt stop pumping, as its not reaching the cutoff pressure it will just run, if you turn it off then no you cannot hear air escaping

 

[rtbcomp]

It's looking like the valves in the head are worn/dirty/broken

 

[Bill Edwards]

Or a failed gasket.
Time to begin unbolting.

 

[anjum]

Could be some dirt trapped in the valves.

Has the compressor overheated in the recent past, might be the valves have lost their tension or maybe the rings.

 

[1.8T]

As far as im aware it has never overheated, i will whip the head off when i get a chance