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Technical Support

Portable Rotary Screw Compressor Troubleshooting Guides

Questions? email the Service Team

24/7 Tech Support 800-531-9656/972-352-6304


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You should always contact an authorized service center before attempting to fix or repair your air compressor



Problem Possible Causes Solutions
Compressor Stalls and Dies
  1. Drive engine low on fuel
  2. Compressor check valve not functioning
  3. Compressor Pilot valve not functioning
  4. Spark Plug in Engine bad
  5. Drive engine Low on oil
  1. Check fuel level in drive engine
  2. Inspect compressor check valve
  3. Check drive engine spark plug
  4. Check oil level on compressor drive engine
  5. Check oil on compressor pump
Compressor is running and is not compressing air
  1. Compressor Pilot valve is actuated
  2. Compressor pilot valve is malfunctioning
  3. Compressors pump head unloaders stuck engaged
  1. Check pilot valve to make sure it in the proper position
  2. Replace compressor pilot valve
  3. Check and clean compressor pump head unloaders
Compressor does not idle up for compression
  1. Throttle control valve (bullwhip) not engaging
  2. Throttle control valve cable broken
  3. Drive engine throttle linkage damaged
  1. Check throttle control valve (bullwhip) for proper function
  2. Replace throttle control valve
  3. Check drive engine throttle linkage
Compressor Airend bogs down while compressing air
  1. Loose motor pulley or Compressor belts loose
  2. Compressor pulley worn
  1. Check belts for wear
  2. Check pulley for wear
Excessive oil discharge in air (All Compressors have a small amount of oil carry over in compression
  1. Worn piston rings or cylinder
  2. Restricted air intake
  3. Oil level to high
  4. Compressor has exceeded it duty cycle
  1. Clean or replace air filters
  2. Reduce oil level to recommended amount
  3. Reduce compressor duty cycle (repair leaks or add another unit to handle the excess demand)
Compressor Overheating
  1. Poor ventilation
  2. Dirty cooling surfaces
  3. Compressor is out of its operating duty cycle
  1. Relocate compressor to any area with better ventilation (at least 18 inches from the nearest wall)
  2. Clean all cooling surfaces
  3. Reduce compressor duty cycle (repair leaks or add another unit to handle the excess demand)
Excessive Belt Wear
  1. Pulley out of alignment
  2. Improper belt tension
  3. Pulley damaged of loose
  1. Realign pulley with flywheel
  2. Re adjust belt tension
Compressor wont start in cold weather
  1. Bad check valve
  2. Compressor has wrong grade oil
  3. Control lines frozen
  1. Use IS 100 (30W) compressor oil for cold weather conditions
  2. Move compressor to a warmer location
  3. Put a heat lamp on compressor to maintain above freezing temperatures
Compressor has excessive vibration
  1. Compressor is not properly mounted on vibration isolation pads
  2. Compressor pulley is out of alignment
  3. Engine is low on fuel of throttle is out of adjustment
  1. Properly mount compressor on vibration isolation pads
  2. Re-align pulleys
  3. Check drive engine oil and fuel level
  4. Re-adjust engine throttle control (bull whip)
NOTE: Troubleshooting problems may have similar causes and solutions