Help-Hydrovane 501 Problems

[CoolB]

Hello, I am new to the forum. I have a Hydrovane 501 that has been in use for over 15 years without any problems until a couple months ago with the drive coupler between the motor and air end shattered. I replaced the parts with new parts and thought it would be a good idea to rebuild the air end considering I had the unit off. I found the only 'professional' compressor shop locally and took them the compressor along with the rebuilt kit. To make a long story a little shorter, I finally picked up the compressor after 9 weeks. I now have an oil leak around the oil cooler after it reaches the cutoff pressure. The leak is usually only a few drips until the internal pressure bleeds off. The compressor does not have the same cfm capabilities that it had previous to the rebuild. Taking it back to the compressor shop is not an option! I am completely comfortable working on this myself. I would appreciate help or advice.

Thanks

 

[tigler]

Sounds like they may not have shimmed it correctly.

 

[CoolB]

I have taken it apart and I do see 2 shims on top of the stator assembly. I suppose removing the thinner of the 2 and reassembling would be the next step. Any ideas on the oil leak?

Thanks for the response

 

[Gary900r]

Are there any shims on the bottom of the stator?.
How many o rings are there on the oil cooler spigots?.
Would you know if they used the correct sleeve to install the main shaft seal.

 

[CoolB]

The stator does have at least one shim underneath. I have not removed the stator but I can see a shim. Are shim adjustments made from top and bottom? I don't know the number of o-rings or how the shaft was installed. The oil leak is minimal and only occurs immediately after shutoff. The oil drops accumulate away from the lantern/cooler gasket. With the cooler still attached, I filled it with oil and stood it upright hoping to find evidence of a leak. No such luck.

Thanks for the response. Do you have any recommended next steps?

 

[Gary900r]

The stator requires at least one shim at each end as they also act as a gasket.
It sounds like either the shaft seal leaking or the rotor is damaged. Without a sleeve being used when the seal is installed it is probable that the seal becomes damaged by the keyway during installation. If the old seal has age or heat hardened then it may have worn a grove into the rotor shaft.
Do you have a manual for this machine.

 

[CoolB]

I understand what you are saying about damage to the shaft and that may very well be the problem. The compressor did not leak prior to the rebuild so if it is leaking here, it is probably due to incorrect assembly. I don't see any signs of an oil trail from the shaft area. I will look more closely after I reassemble and test run. It almost seems as if the cooler has a hole in one of the fins. The leak appears between the 2nd & 3rd cool fin rather than the outer edge of the cooler.
I don't have a manual, but I have found a site that has an exploded parts view. At this point, the only thing that I can do is to remove one of the shims and put it back together, right? This will hopefully increase my cfm. The oil leak will be a problem as this compressor is used in a dental office and adding oil every few days is not practical.

I appreciate your help!

 

[Gary900r]

PM me the serial no and a email address and I can send you a manual.