Compressor Question

[Windy Miller]

Morning All

After a recent house move, I noticed that my compressor pump has a hole in the top. Before the move it was stashed away behind loads of junk so I rarely got to see it. I just switched it on at the plug and used the airline that ran up in the garage rafters and the actual compressor remained hidden.

Judging by the oily residue around the hole it might have been open like this for some while. There is a small amount of ‘breathing’ going on - no real pressure tho.

My question is, should this hole have a simple plug or some sort of breather?



There is evidence of some red hermatite around the hole so maybe it’s never been a proper fitting in place.

 

[Seadog]

Filler/breather? But certainly needs something in it to prevent the ingress of dust and creepy-crawleys

 

[knighty]

breather hole.... fit a breather to it :-)

how's the oil level look?

 

[JOEPRO]

It's a breather yes. Ebay probably has them very cheap.

I would also change the compressor oil when your at it. Not just because of dirt ingress with that laying open but it is supposed to be changed anyway and no one ever does! Aka my ABAC used tandem compressor had very dark oil in it I bet it was never changed.

 

[Windy Miller]

breather hole.... fit a breather to it :-)

how's the oil level look?

Dunno. Not checked it!
I’ll do that today

It's a breather yes. Ebay probably has them very cheap.

I would also change the compressor oil when your at it. Not just because of dirt ingress with that laying open but it is supposed to be changed anyway and no one ever does! Aka my ABAC used tandem compressor had very dark oil in it I bet it was never changed.

Yeah that’s a good shout. @Pete. mentioned that a while ago so I’ll get that done as soon as I get my tools out of storage.

Thanks all for your responses!

 

[Popcorn]

Probably for a Dipstick to measure the oil in the pump

 

[cheb]

There looks to be a sightglass bottom left of the crankcase.

 

[Chippie]

Defo for a crankcase breather/filter….probably in the garage lurking in some corner..

 

[JOEPRO]

It's going to be one of these. I would measure the 'ole and find a match. And if they are £1 or £2 from China I'd just order and wait on it IMO. And order some quality piston compressor oil.

 

[Windy Miller]

There looks to be a sightglass bottom left of the crankcase.

There is indeed a sight glass. The oil looks pretty murky but just within the limits. I’m assuming the oil level needs to be somewhere in the red circle?

 

[Seadog]

The bottom edge of the circle, usually.

 

[roofman]

you can make your own breather with a bit round stock machined out internally and turned to fit in hole tight....fill the insides with wire wool.

 

[JOEPRO]

you can make your own breather with a bit round stock machined out internally and turned to fit in hole tight....fill the insides with wire wool.

Yes this is true. Just buy a lathe if you haven't got one already and make your own

 

[Windy Miller]

you can make your own breather with a bit round stock machined out internally and turned to fit in hole tight....fill the insides with wire wool.

Is that all there is to it? I had no idea it was that simple. Obvious though now I think about it!

Luckily I do have a lathe so that’ll be the first job when I get it out of storage. Thanks RM - that’s much more fun than buying one!

 

[roofman]

Is that all there is to it? I had no idea it was that simple. Obvious though now I think about it!

Luckily I do have a lathe so that’ll be the first job when I get it out of storage. Thanks RM - that’s much more fun than buying one!

If you drill across the bottom of tube you can put a pin or small bolt in to stop the gauze (wire wool) slipping into crankcase. Mine has worked for 10 years so its had a good test

 

[Windy Miller]

If you drill across the bottom of tube you can put a pin or small bolt in to stop the gauze (wire wool) slipping into crankcase. Mine has worked for 10 years so its had a good test

I was just wondering about that. I had thought of a slight step in the base of the hollow tube with a gauze disk to stop the wire wool falling through, but your idea is simpler!

 

[RichardM]

If you have any nylon and a lathe, use the nylon turnings instead of wire wool, stainless steel pot scourers are also good. Wire wool could rust.

 

[JOEPRO]

I don't know this is one of them moments where if it can be bought for £3 and your not in a hurry I'm not sure if it's worth it to make one yourself..... id spend my time making a part that is custom or unobtanium IMO.

 

[roofman]

I don't know this is one of them moments where if it can be bought for £3 and your not in a hurry I'm not sure if it's worth it to make one yourself..... id spend my time making a part that is custom or unobtanium IMO.

Yea but we have all this machinery sitting about in our sheds and we still feed the Chinese money machine

 

[Windy Miller]

I don't know this is one of them moments where if it can be bought for £3 and your not in a hurry I'm not sure if it's worth it to make one yourself..... id spend my time making a part that is custom or unobtanium IMO.

What you’re saying probably makes sound financial sense.

But I like making stuff!