Whether it’s repairing an old or broken air compressor, doing it yourself can save you a lot of money. These DIY instructions will help you repair your old or broken air compressor tank, saving you from paying for professional services that charge you dearly for their time and expertise. The costs of hiring a professional to repair your air compressor aren’t always worth the expense. Unless your machine is completely cracked, chances are that a DIY repair should do the trick instead.
Not only will fixing your air compressor tank cost you less than hiring someone to do it, but it will also be much faster as well. If you’re tired of waiting around and want to get cracking on those repairs right away, read on to find out how…
What is an Air Compressor?
Air compressors are used to power a wide variety of tools, equipment, and processes in industries like construction, mining, and manufacturing. They compress the air to create a lower pressure to drive different machines and electronics. Depending on the application, air compressors can be very simple or complex, while they can look very different from each other. For the purpose of this tutorial, we are going to discuss air compressors that are used to power air tools, like nail guns and impact drills. Air compressors come in a variety of models, sizes, and power levels.
Air compressors are available in a range of power levels, from very small units designed for use with a variety of smaller tools, to very large units that can power any machine. The most commonly used air compressors are those with a power level of 2,500 to 10,000 psi.
What You will Need Before Start Air Compressor Tank Repair
Before diving in, you will want to make sure you have all of the supplies you will need on hand. The two most important things you will need are the air compressor itself and the air fitting that connects the compressor to the tool. You will also need some tools, parts, and other supplies to get started.
Tools:
- A compressor tank wrench
- A pair of needle-nose pliers
- A pair of wire cutters
- A hammer
- A ratchet
- A flashlight
- A rag Parts
- An air hose fitting
- An air hose
- An air hose end fitting
- A copper washer
- A copper nut
- A rubber washer
- A screwdriver
- A rag Supplies
- A can of compressed air
- A rag
Safety First- Have the Right Tools and Parts Near You
Before beginning your air compressor tank repair, it’s important to review the safety precautions and have the right tools and parts on hand.
- Make sure to only use compressed air from an approved air source.
- A smart air compressor is essential for safe and effective repairs. Be sure to only use your compressor for this purpose and keep it away from anything that uses electricity.
- You will want to make sure you select the right repair parts for your specific compressor. Choose parts that match the serial number of your compressor.
- A compressor wrench is an essential tool for all repairs. It’s used to turn the compressor’s input shaft. This tool is also used to remove and install air fittings.
- An air hose fitting is the part that connects air hoses together.
- An air hose is the part that connects the compressor to the tool.
- An air hose end fitting is the fitting that connects the end of an air hose to the tool.
- A copper washer is used to seal the air hose end fitting.
- A copper nut is used to seal the copper washer.
Things You will Need to Have Ready Before your Repairs Begin
- A wrench to tighten and loosen bolts on your air compressor tank
- Screwdrivers and wrenches to remove and replace the parts of your tank, if required
- A rag or rag to wipe your hands after you finish your repairs, as well as a bucket to put the used parts in
- A clean and dry space to work in
- A good pair of safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying particles
- A long ladder if your compressor is too high to access without a ladder
- A hose to direct the air flow, if required
- A helper if you have more than one person working on the repair
- A friend or family member to help you if you’re new to air compressor repairs
How to repair an air compressor tank?
These instructions will give you an overview of how to repair your air compressor tank. The repairs are similar for other air compressor models, so feel free to follow along with the rest of this article. Turn off the power to your machine. Now remove the ATV or car hose from the tank and store it safely. Clean the tank and the entire area where you are working with a rag or paper towel. Now remove the cap and hose from the bottom of the tank. Make sure that you don’t spill any of the used parts while you are doing this.
If you do spill anything, make sure to clean it up immediately. After removing the bottom cap, you will see the air compressor tank. Look for any pieces of metal or other debris that may have collected in the tank. Clean these out if you can, as they may have caused damage to your machine.
Checking Your Compressor’s Condition
Before you take your compressor apart, you will want to make sure the machine is free of any issues that could contribute to the failure of your air compressor tank. – Is your compressor staying on? – Is it running? – Is the pressure in the tank at the correct level? – Is the oil level in the crankcase low? – If you can’t answer “yes” to at least one of these questions, it’s a good idea to have your compressor serviced.
In order to check your compressor’s condition, you will want to start by turning the machine on and placing a gauge on the air hose fitting of your air compressor. You will want to make sure the gauge is connected to the hose.
You will want to adjust the gauge to the level you normally operate at. The pressure of the air should stay constant, but if it drops, your compressor is at risk of failure. Once you have confirmed the level, you will want to shut the machine down and pull the gauge off the fitting.
Most Common Problems with Air Compressor Tanks
You may have done a thorough inspection of your air compressor, and you may be ready to repair your air compressor tank. However, you should be prepared for the tank to have a few issues.
Kalamazoo-Type Leak
This is the most common type of tank leak. If you notice odor or a puddle near your compressor, it’s likely that you have a kalamazoo-type leak. The good news is, this is one of the easiest types of leaks to repair.
Cracked Tank
A cracked tank may not have a leak, but it poses similar problems. If your tank has a crack, the pressure will drop significantly when the compressor is turned off. This is a common issue that can be repaired with a copper washer and copper nut.
Leaking Hose
A leaking hose is one that slowly lets air out over time. You can check for this type of leak by adjusting the pressure of the tank and checking for leaks on the hose. If you see any, you can repair it by replacing the rubber hose.
Last word about Repair Your Air Compressor Tank
Air compressors are essential tools that can do a lot of work with just a few pumps of the gas pedal. They can operate on a variety of pressures, and some are even able to run on compressed air or nitrogen. This means that you can use them for a wide variety of applications. However, you should be prepared for them to break down from time to time, and you should also be prepared to repair them when they do. At least, that is, as soon as you read this article.
