leaking unloader valve on my new pressure switch
#1
leaking unloader valve on my new pressure switch
I have a Craftsman 1 HP compressor. It was working perfectly until it fell on it's side. I put it right side up and the motor wouldn't turn when the air pressure is below the refill threshold and it leaked at the unloader valve after it shut off from reaching max pressure.
I bought a brand new pressure switch with a new unloader. I hooked it all up and ran the compressor. When it shuts off at max pressure, air leaks out of the side of the unloader valve. Then it tries to start and it won't turn the motor. The unloader valve isn't working... here's a pic.
http://webhome.idirect.com/~mase1/comp3s.jpg
THe white arrow illustrates where the air is leaking out of...it's a hole in the side of the unloader valve.
I don't understand why this isn't working
Should I plug the unloader valve hole with a set screw?
I bought a brand new pressure switch with a new unloader. I hooked it all up and ran the compressor. When it shuts off at max pressure, air leaks out of the side of the unloader valve. Then it tries to start and it won't turn the motor. The unloader valve isn't working... here's a pic.
http://webhome.idirect.com/~mase1/comp3s.jpg
THe white arrow illustrates where the air is leaking out of...it's a hole in the side of the unloader valve.
I don't understand why this isn't working

#2
sphinx,
The unloader is likely doing what it's suppose to.
The unloader's job is to release the air pressure between the compressor head and the check valve.
It is leaking continuously because the check valve has malfunctioned.
Release the air pressure and take the check valve apart to see what is wrong with it.
It will be located at the tank where the air line from the compressor enters.
The unloader is likely doing what it's suppose to.
The unloader's job is to release the air pressure between the compressor head and the check valve.
It is leaking continuously because the check valve has malfunctioned.
Release the air pressure and take the check valve apart to see what is wrong with it.
It will be located at the tank where the air line from the compressor enters.
#3
thanks for your reply Greg.... I removed the brass fitting that the compressor head line and unloader valve line attach too..there's nothing in there. The tank, compressor head, and unloader valve are fully "exposed" to each other... there's no "check valve". Could it have fallen into the tank?
#4
sphinx,
The check valve is normally the fitting that is screwed into the tank where the line from the compressor attaches.
Does it look like there may have been a ball, seat and spring in the fitting?
The check valve is normally the fitting that is screwed into the tank where the line from the compressor attaches.
Does it look like there may have been a ball, seat and spring in the fitting?
#6
Originally Posted by GregH
sphinx,
The check valve is normally the fitting that is screwed into the tank where the line from the compressor attaches.
Does it look like there may have been a ball, seat and spring in the fitting?
The check valve is normally the fitting that is screwed into the tank where the line from the compressor attaches.
Does it look like there may have been a ball, seat and spring in the fitting?

Here's a pic
http://webhome.idirect.com/~mase1/valve1s.jpg
#7
sphinx,
Ya, I don't see much of that type and I forget how it is set up.
I might have an old one like that. If I get a chance I'll look to see how it works.
Regardless, it is broken and needs to be replaced.
Ya, I don't see much of that type and I forget how it is set up.
I might have an old one like that. If I get a chance I'll look to see how it works.
Regardless, it is broken and needs to be replaced.