SIP 3hp no pressure

[vwmark]

My airmate 3hp compressor which i have had 20 years this year has failed me. Its only reaching about 20psi and runs continuously which I take to be the head gasket.


Problem is I cant find a gasket before I strip - any ideas.

 

[Alan Reynolds]

Just a guess but 20 psi might be a cracked reed valve in the head. You can get gasket material in different thicknesses from motor factors and I've made my own as they;re not under as much strain as a car engine.

You can sometimes make a new reed valve from shim. It also comes in different thicknesses like feeler gauges do. If you need to drill any holes in it it's better to sandwich it between two plates.

 

[mike 109444]

Could it be the "spring" type valves that one has snapped ?

 

[Alan Reynolds]

I had an old Broomwade that cracked a ring. Broomwade wanted £60 for a ring! I found a set on Ebay and gapped then up. It worked perfectly.

If you compressor has disc valves there might just be a bit of debris under the seat of the inlet one.

 

[vwmark]

So looks like I need to take the head off.

 

[steviec_lj]

Mine did similar. Bit of cereal box and liquid gasket solved it..