DIY or Pro? When to Call for Air Compressor Repair

DIY vs. Pro: When Should You Call for Air Compressor Repairs?

We get it. You’re handy. You can swap filters, change the oil, and troubleshoot like a champ. But when your air compressor starts acting up in ways that go beyond routine maintenance, it’s fair to ask: should I fix this myself, or call in the pros?

Let’s break down what you can handle in-house, and when it’s smarter (and cheaper in the long run) to let a certified repair team take over.

Repairs You Can Handle Yourself

These are common compressor issues that don’t require specialized tools or advanced mechanical skills:

• Changing air and oil filters
• Draining moisture from the tank or dryer
• Swapping belts, gaskets, or valve plates
• Tightening fittings to stop small air leaks
• Cleaning coolers and improving ventilation

Need parts for a quick repair? Our app makes it easy to order air filters, oil filters, separators, and compressor oil straight from your phone.

When It’s Time to Call the Pros

If any of these issues show up, it's time to phone a repair team:

• Oil in the air lines or excessive carryover
• Seized motor or irregular start-up behavior
• Strange vibrations or internal knocking
• Frequent tripping of breakers or thermal overloads
• Airend failure, low compression, or high oil consumption

These problems typically require specialized diagnostics, calibrated tools, or full teardown and rebuild work—things most shops aren’t equipped to handle in-house.

Need a Rebuild or Overhaul?

If your compressor’s performance is steadily declining—or it’s already failed—we offer full airend rebuilding and repair & overhaul services built to restore your machine like new.

The Best of Both Worlds

Use the ACS app (also on Google Play) to manage service schedules, track parts history, and place orders—whether you’re doing the work yourself or tagging us in.