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Are you having issues with your compressor? The table below reflects 7 of the most common air compressor problem and possible causes for these issues. If you are experiencing any of these issues, please contact our service department here.

Symptom		Cause
High Discharge Temperature:		-Low oil level -Dirty or clogged heat exchanger -Faulty thermal bypass valve -Plugged oil filter -Plugged air/oil separator -Obstruction in oil system
Excessive Lubricant Consumption:		-Clogged separator scavenge line -Incorrectly adjusted scavenge line -Oil sump overfilled -Oil foaming in sump
Premature Lubricant Breakdown		-Compressor temperature too hot -Ingestion of foreign substance through intake -Excessive condensate in system -Mixed oil types -Incorrect oil additives
Increased Amp Draw		-Plugged air/oil separator -Airend bearings starting to fail -Obstruction in air lines -Obstruction in oil lines -Dirty or spent lubricant
Decreased Discharge Pressure		-Faulty inlet valve -Plugged air/oil separator -Plugged intake filter -Excessive leaks in plant piping
Air/Oil Separator Collapse		-Minimum pressure valve sticking -Dirty or spent lubricant -Faulty check valve -Ingestion of foreign substance through intake
Compressor Shutting Down		-High temperature -High discharge pressure -Low oil pressure -Blown fuse -Power failure

Your air compressor generates a tremendous amount of heat. When ambient air is compressed to do work for you, considerable heat of compression is released. As a rough illustration, the heat of compression released from a 100 horsepower air compressor could heat 4 homes in the worst of winter. If not handled properly in the summer, that heat can become an enemy to your air system.

Excessive heat kills most compressor oils. It is a well accepted rule of thumb that you cut oil life expectancy by half for every 20 degree rise above normal operating temperature. In many cases, the high price you pay for synthetic compressor oils is squandered because the oil breaks down prematurely due to overheating. To protect from high acid numbers, loss of lubricity and increased viscosity, long oil change intervals must be monitored with frequent lube analysis, particularly when exposed to high ambient temperatures.

Please see below for some tips on helping your compressed air system beat the summer heat and avoiding downtime.

• Change the oil.
• Check the fluid system.
• Change the inlet filter.
• Check your belts and couplings.
• Ventilate the compressor room.
• Clean the coolers.
  –Keeping the heat exchangers or coolers clean is one of the most important things that you can do during the summer months!
• Check your electrical cabinet.
• Maintain your dryer.
• Check all drains on tanks, dryer and filters.

Contact us today at 800-535-5176 or request a quote to begin your summertime preventative maintenance!