vtwin compressor not compressing

[gaz_moose]

ive got a sealey 50hp 3hp direct drive v twin compressor.

ive not used it for a while and when i came to use it today ive found it wont build up any pressure.
the motor runs and it sounds like its all working fine but the pressure gauge does not go up and it wont hardly run any tools. i cant see or hear and signs of it leaking.so am a bit stumped on where to start.

its about 5 years old but gets used for an hour or so every now and again so id be suprised if its worn out.

does any one know much about these noisy beasts??

 

[jonjoe]

is the air filter blocked

 

[rtbcomp]

Did you close the drain valve after you last used it?

 

[Badger1bear]

Is it blowing air out of the black on/off control box ? Have you tried disconnecting the pipe that goes in the non return valve to see if the compressor is producing air ? Follow the hard metal air line from the compressor pump and it will take you to a brass union, sometimes it's shiny silver undo this and see if it producing pressure, it's just a case of simple elimination

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Check the suction remove the air filter and make sure it's sucking, if not it will most likely be the valves !

 

[gaz_moose]

i know the drain valve is closed as it would make a wooshing noise if it were open.
i cant hear any air leaks.
i did notice that the copper pipe with the cooling fins that goes from the pumps to the one way valve was cold compared to the pumps which was odd as its usually pretty hot.

tomorrows check list is,
check filters
check non return valve.

cheers guys.

 

[the snooper]

check for air coming back out of the intake, could be broken or dirty valves

 

[migmag]

Could be the check valve sticking open.

 

[normspanners]

Check the pipe that interconnects the heads is not split if it was a valve it sould still compress as the air passes through from the big cyl to the small one ?

 

[rtbcomp]

^^

I suspect this is not a two stage compressor, both cylinders effectively work in parallel.

 

[normspanners]

Thanks for that but he said THE pipe from the the head to the check valve/cyl was cold which led me to believe it was two stage?

 

[gaz_moose]

no it has 2 heads. a pipe from each one joins at a T piece then goes to an electrical box thing that has the on off switch then goes to the pressure regulator.

my van has just broken so ive got to spend my free time fixing that so the compressor is having to go on the back burner for the time being.

to be continued..

 

[normspanners]

Disconnect the link pipe from the heads and run it and see which side is pumping.

 

[MrFluffy]

When mine did that, it was a valve knackered, it made some pressure as it was a two stage but couldnt get above about 30psi as the second stage was doing nothing.

Wont you be able to feel which pot is cold to determine which is pumping? the cold one wont be doing anything as a result of not compressing air I would assume...

 

[DrNik]

bet the reed valves are stuck closed