Where to obtain piston rings

[robinj66]

I have a direct drive, single piston air compressor. I bought it some years ago from a UK vendor who is no longer trading. I believe the machine was manufactured by Valley Tools in the USA but there are no useful serial or other identifying numbers on either the unit or the paperwork.

The compressor suddenly failed to achieve full pressure (6 bar not 8 as usual) but otherwise all seemed to be working. A strip down revealed that the piston rings were worn (sharp edges and too big a gap) .

I need to get a set of piston rings for a 47mm diameter piston - any idea where I can get then from (preferably in the UK).

[I have been in touch with Valley in California (their UK agents are no longer trading) but despite emails and a phone call I haven't had the courtesy of a meaningful response]

 

[the snooper]

if it was a sudden failure to reach pressure and the rings are not broken, then the rings are not your problem, look at non return valve on tank and reed valves on the pump

 

[brokenbiker]

im sure that one of the tecumseh lawn mower engines has a 47mm piston, however as mentioned above the rings would not give sudden failure of air pressure and i would assume if they had gone you would be getting oil past them and out the exhaust

 

[normspanners]

Have a look at the head to check-valve pipe, ally or copper ones crack or leak at the joints.
another idea is to go online to engine piston manufacturer and then get dimensions for vehicles close to your piston.

 

[wristpin]

May be worth a shot

http://www.bradfordpistonrings.co.uk/

 

[makedoandmend]

Can't help with a UK based source for a set of rings I'm afraid but if you are happy using eBay and trading oversea's with our good friends in Hong Kong they can oblige:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Met...526?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c336e6696

 

[robinj66]

[My earlier reply doesn't seem to have appeared]

Thanks for your help -I've ordered the cheap set from China and will await their arrival.

I did strip the compressor but the reed valve etc all seemed to be in working order. I checked carefully for leaks in all the places described but all appeared OK. A mate with more experience than me diagnosed the rings as being worn (sharp underside and big gap) and this was confirmed at my local motorbike repair place.

The problem was that one of the rings was broken in removing it (I am a clumsy so & so) so I need a new set anyway.