How to check reed valves

[amron]

Hi
I have a cheap comperssor head and I would like to check if the reed valves are in order. is there a way to do it? any advise will be appreciated. do you identify it and know who the manufacturer is? (I think its Italien, but I'm not sure).
Thanks.

 

[Photog Keith]

Personally I'd put my mouth over them and suck/blow!... maybe give them a clean first!

 

[roofman]

not a lot to go wrong with them valves...let them soak in a bowl of degreaser over night including the whole head and they will be fine...

 

[mike os]

not a lot to go wrong with them valves...let them soak in a bowl of degreaser over night including the whole head and they will be fine...

only real test is are they still where they should be, and are they cracked?

 

[amron]

Hi
They seem to be visually in tact, otherwise I would have no doubt that they are defective. that's the reason that I was asking if there is a way to check them and know if they are functioning.
Thanx.

 

[roofman]

Hi
They seem to be visually in tact, otherwise I would have no doubt that they are defective. that's the reason that I was asking if there is a way to check them and know if they are functioning.
Thanx.

the only real test with that type of pump iff it seems visually ok is to nail the head back on and see iff it pumps...after doing what ive said in an earlier post and blowing out dry with compressed air after fitting they will seal better after a few mins running time as the reeds flatten out again

 

[miggymarky]

Sorry to but in on the thread,but what symptoms does it give to decide if the read valves are at fault.I have an old ingersoll rand (1940 i believe),and it takes ages to build up pressure,any help would be great.

 

[tigler]

An Ingersoll Rand of that age would not have reed valves, they would be spring loaded shuttle or poppet valves. Excessive time to build pressure will probably mean worn piston rings and/or cylinder bores. Is there crankcase pressure when it's operating ?

 

[miggymarky]

An Ingersoll Rand of that age would not have reed valves, they would be spring loaded shuttle or poppet valves. Excessive time to build pressure will probably mean worn piston rings and/or cylinder bores. Is there crankcase pressure when it's operating ?

Sorry to sound a bit thick,dont really know much about compressors,so what do you mean by crankcase pressure?

 

[brightspark]

Sorry to sound a bit thick,dont really know much about compressors,so what do you mean by crankcase pressure?

when the pumps running if theres any leakage from the rings ect u can get a build up of pressure in the crankcases there is generaly a breather on the filler or a small hole somwhere to let any pressure build up out. if its ecessive u have a problem

 

[brightspark]

the only true way to check if its the valves that are leaking or its the rings and the bore is do a compression test on the pump . run the pump and do the test take pressure results. then tip some oil in the cylinders run the pump again . if the pressure has increased its the rings and bore that are worn if its the same pressure results its the valves that are worn

 

[miggymarky]

Is it still possible to get the bits for a compressor of that age?

 

[tigler]

Not easily ! Piston rings could probably be found by cross ref'ing some automotive rings, at a push they could even be made.
Specific to model parts would be very difficult though. You would need to find some NOS on an old dealers shelves. Normally though, compressors of that era are so durable and well made that unless abused will run for a huge number of hours without undue wear. You might even find it's just carbon under a valve seat.