Tuxing compressor funny noise!

[socaloldman]

I had been planning on an oil change having just reached 15 hours on the clock. Last one was at 10 hours. However one last fill before I do it. Hmm was that a fart or belch I just heard as it started up. Well it ran fine but I knew it needed something.



I had inspected the external filter a few days ago and it was perfect except for a tiny (like a tobacco) stain on the first filter. Changed that and reassembled but saw the crap that had accumulated on the pressure release block. That was from opening and closing the valve to release the moisture every five or ten minutes of running. (See attached photo)



I started by changing the oil and it was very dark but no odor. Then moved on to the final check valve and pressure release block. There are three connectors here. The top is the high pressure into the check valve, then one high-pressure line going to the automatic shut off gauge and the third that runs through the final filter onto the tank being filled.



This block contains the check valve attached to a hollow first stage filter with a bronze screen at the bottom. The first stage is filled with desiccant. The air then proceeds into the final filter to the tank.



Photos show the first stage filter with check valve attached partially removed. Another photo shows the filter turned upside down resting on top. Another photo shows the filter, desiccant, check valve and bronze filter screen, all removed and filthy. We are seeing a lot of oil on the inside and mostly moisture on the outside. It was certainly packed into the base of the bronze screen.



These parts all cleaned up and repaired or replaced as needed. New O-rings installed and tiny bit of anti seize added to threads for future cleaning.



I was very surprised at the amount of crude accumulated in just 5 hours. I will pay attention to the oil and check the rings next time but do not suspect what I see is abnormal for these machines. It runs fine, fills fast and with all Centercut’s additions stays very cool.

 

[2fast2furious]

Dang that compressor looks like it's been sitting outside for 5 years. I would expect the inside be dirty but how the heck do you let the outside be that dirty? When I bleed my compressor i wipe it like a baby's butt and keep everything nice and clean. Looks to me you don't even clean and wipe when you bleed and just let it build. Not good for the compressor. I guess people treat their new toys differently but I treat mine like a baby.

 

[airgunfans]

I don't think it's a good idea to put desiccants into this tiny "first filter". There is a relatively large amount of liquid water going through this filter so the desiccants will be saturated in no time and rendered useless. The desiccants can only do harm by trapping dirts and consequently obstructing the air flow as can be seen in the photo. Just let the "final filter" do the job of removing the remaining small amount of moisture. It is also advisable to let the compressor run under no load and with all bleeding valves widely opened for a couple of minutes after filling to blow out the water residing in the internals of the compressor.

 

[socaloldman]

Good point "airgunfans" thanks for the respectful and helpful comment, I should have mentioned that it was re-assembled without the desiccants.

 

[Centercut]

Leave that block EMPTY that has the small amount of desiccant beads. That’s why you’re getting all the corrosion. I replaced those with a small cotton tampon, but later decided that also stayed wet all the time, so leave it empty.

PS. Do NOT let it run for “a couple of minutes” after you’re done to get out residual moisture. It’s a good idea, but 30 seconds is all you need. Running that compressor unloaded much more than that causes the first stage temperature to climb very high, very fast. That why I had that temperature probe and meter on the tubing between the first and second stages. 

 

[2muchair4leyla]

Wow imagine what the inside of your gun and tank will look like in a year. Removing oil vapor from low pressure air is a daunting task and relatively expensive, HPA it's 10 times more difficult and expensive.

 

[socaloldman]

Thanks 2muchair4leyla. You got me thinking and I went back to the original post and then examined the crud and determined it did not have oil on the desiccant. I had my gun apart a number of times in the last 30 days adjusting the reg etc. No oil or contamination anywhere on the parts. So what I assumed (my bad) was oil was fouled moisture on the desiccant. So I appreciate your courteous input.

 

[Centercut]

Yeah, imagine that. Luckily he has a large filter/desiccant in the outlet after that aluminum block in the photo. Did you see where he said he inspected his external filter and it looked good except for a small “tobacco” looking stain at the inlet cotton tampon. I know since this used to be my compressor.