Clarke Ait SHHHAIR 150/100 2 of 3 compressor heads. Investigating/rebuilding.

[Seadog]

So the big, dismount secret for the style of compressor head (Type 50).

Disconnect the power cable, the outlet pipe and lift the unit. It simply sits on the 4 spring, no levers or twisting to do, just lift the unit and it comes straight out!

1/4 12 point socket, perfect fit, big thanks to @northwest.

The piston feels good and loose, as does the cam-shaft, once the carbon film was broken to the face of the piston, the cylinder face appears unscathed, the domes are not valves, just domes. They don't open and close. They were very tight undoing, concerned the bolt would shear, but came out.
But boy, that's where the carbon had a party, all soaking in degrease to soften them up. All other flat faces have scraped up quite cleanly.
Had to go find my Minicraft drills, some decoking required.

View attachment 490915 View attachment 490916 View attachment 490917
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The domes are just part of the manifold.

 

[northwest]

@northwest, Me or the OP?

The both of you, Seeing what I have seen I wouldn't trust either of you to not take things apart to get to base level and as we all know Base instincts are pretty uncontrollable, ergo the pair of you are out of control, it's a very worrying thing.

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

Oh boy, far too late to take my advice, you are right in there!

What advice?

Oh, right, that advice, too late!

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

Is there any wonder this poor thing didn't pump much, if anything.
Making progress, 1 blockage at a time. The cup is the bulk of the carbon from one chamber before the airline was used to remove the fines.

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

Having found the above, under the domes with the bolts (Red).
I'm wondering if the condition of the chambers under the pressed domes (Blue) will be similar.
Need to contact Machine Mart and check on parts, gaskets, sealants, and torque values for any of the critical fixings.

Any thoughts?

 

[northwest]

Any thoughts?

Best not.

 

[bourbon]

@northwest, All I'm trying to do, is get the OP the best advise I can. I can't help it if the Tech department don't know the answers. I'm not the one taking it apart.

 

[northwest]

@bourbon I get that I am merely pulling your leg! :-)

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

Deep Sadness , we have a blockage.
The pot/dome with the copper out feed pipe is blocked, it's beyond the first bend as I've sent a burr down it, lots of solid crud in there.
I've asked if it's available as a spare part before I start cutting into the pipe, the price will be the deciding factor.
We'll see what Monday brings, via email.

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

I've heard oven cleaners can work well on carbon buildup, but they don't play well with copper.
What suggestions would you guys and gals have?

 

[voipio]

With the feed pipe disconnected from the cylinder head, maybe try feeding compressed air down the compressor outlet, to see if it'll shift any of the muck. It might need 100psi or more. If there's even a tiny trickle of air coming through the pipe, try feeding some solvent in and pushing it with the compressed air. It should hopefully gradually open up the blockage more and more. It may not work, but there's no harm in trying.

 

[bourbon]

I can revel now, I phoned Tech last week. Mick recons that No parts are available for that model, which seems bizarre as They are still a current catalogue Item. ( very poor CFM though)

 

[500e]

Cant run a Net Curtain spring down it with end sharpened ?
Think there is different diameters
Think 4mm is one size
They also sell it for mig welder liners

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

With the feed pipe disconnected from the cylinder head, maybe try feeding compressed air down the compressor outlet, to see if it'll shift any of the muck. It might need 100psi or more. If there's even a tiny trickle of air coming through the pipe, try feeding some solvent in and pushing it with the compressed air. It should hopefully gradually open up the blockage more and more. It may not work, but there's no harm in trying.

I've got the pipe off and have a syringe bunged over one end, I've been switching from that with degrease to air jet, and I've got movement of both fluid and air, just not a lot. Better than none at all, which is where I started.
What solvent would you recommend, safe for copper?

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

Cant run a Net Curtain spring down it with end sharpened ?
Think there is different diameters
Think 4mm is one size
They also sell it for mig welder liners

I've been racking my brain for something that'll be strong enough to push forward and round these tight bends (they are tight and there's some deflection in the pipe too). Not sure Net Curtain spring would turn the corners, I'll have a look at dims.

Even piano wire, I don't think will bend enough. Alternatively, I'm considering cutting out the tight bend and replacing it with new, but having movement in the pipe tells me to put a solvent in, also could superheat it too, what's the burn off temp of carbon deposits?

 

[Turbo]

Anneal the pipe, straighten it out, clean it out and bend again?

 

[m_c]

I've got the pipe off and have a syringe bunged over one end, I've been switching from that with degrease to air jet, and I've got movement of both fluid and air, just not a lot. Better than none at all, which is where I started.
What solvent would you recommend, safe for copper?

I wouldn't recommend degreaser. It tends to degrease any soot/tar, and just leave hard soot in place, which is even harder to deal with.
I'd suggest something like release oil or diesel/paraffin that'll soften the soot, and aid with flushing it out.

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

I wouldn't recommend degreaser. It tends to degrease any soot/tar, and just leave hard soot in place, which is even harder to deal with.
I'd suggest something like release oil or diesel/paraffin that'll soften the soot, and aid with flushing it out.

Of course. Why was I thinking there was something 'special' I should use.
Thanks

I've had some success with heating to cherry red, from passing very little to being able to fountain the oily degreaser (that I'm not using again.)

 

[bourbon]

That looks like it's done the trick

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

I can revel now, I phoned Tech last week.

I'm assuming, you miss typed? You wouldn't revel in the news that there are no spare parts for my project, would you?

( very poor CFM though)

That would depend on what CFM was required/requested.

Any hows.
Machine Mart's web site says ...
"FREE Technical Advice - 5 Days a week from our After Sales Team
At Machine Mart we want you to get the most out of everything you buy from us and we offer unrivalled aftersales support. Our technical hotlines are manned 5 days a week to ensure you get total peace of mind."

Maybe they don't have email? They have it listed,
"Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 5.30pm (Closed 5.00pm on Fridays) Closed on Bank Holidays. Tel: 0871 410 1260 Email: technical@machinemart.co.uk"

So I thought I'd email, I didn't need immediate answers, just as well, and it'd give them a chance to answer and ponder. Well they're still pondering and have been since 05/04!
"Hi,

I'm currently, disassembling and cleaning out 2 compressor heads from the above machine.
It's been, overheated badly and has considerable carbon build up.

So far the piston appears to be true and free and smooth, as is the camshaft.

The Valve Plate has scraped flat and clean, so far. The valve plate and valve seem OK.
Can't find any gasket material, at all, so that's something that will be needed. There doesn't appear to be any warping of the plates, holders, or valves. But would welcome your advice on replacement.

I've also removed the 2 domes (circled red in image) and exposed the outlet side of the manifold, they are both highly carbonated but cleaning out well. I wonder if you think it worthwhile removing the indented, the inward side, (circled blue in image) caps of the manifold, these seem to be a pushed interference fit? Do you have spares for these, as I'm sure the removal would be somewhat destructive, unless you have a way to remove and replace the same.

What sealant is used to bed the domed caps (circled red in image) to the manifold, that's been removed with the carbon, or is there a gasket?

Do you have torque settings for the dome retaining screws, the valve plate screws etc?

Many thanks

Allan"

I thought that was, an OK message, to open communications. It would appear not, so it's either too technical for them or they just can't be arsed, "At Machine Mart we want you to get the most out of everything you buy from us and we offer unrivalled aftersales support" ? OH, REALLY!

Thankfully the spares department are awake and willing to help, in any way they can, in particular a young man named Yorden. I sent the same email, I just forwarded it to parts@machinemart.co.uk and received a reply the same day

Exchanging back and forth and starting enquiries about spares soon. We've been focused on the blocked pipe, that doesn't sound too good, as they believe it's supplied as part of the motor, that sounds reasonable. But he's reaching out to the supplier to ask if they can supply the item. Meanwhile, I'll crack on with getting it cleared and the machine cleaned.