With 30 years of experience (and counting!) of working on air compressors, there are certainly issues we see more than others. As the warmer temperatures approach, we wanted to give 4 tips for keeping your compressors out of the repair shop and running smoothly.
Change the Oil!
For goodness sakes, change your oil! Right now, as I’m looking at the stack of airends we are rebuilding, I am noticing a common thread. Overheated and old oil creates problems for compressors when it starts to gum up the entire machine.
Hotter temperatures speed this process along, too. Neglected and forgotten, your oil turns into a rubbery, gel-like substance that can wreak havoc inside your machine. This is what happened in the photo at the top of this post. Sludge will coat the airend, causing it to run less efficiently and overheat. If your oil is dark or murky looking, it’s time for a change.
Take Advantage of our Oil Sample program.
You can order an oil test to help you detect things like moisture in your oil, varnish (from overheating, cheap oil, etc), or metalware from bearing failure (signaling a failing airend). An oil sample can also help to pick up on particulate matter that might be bypassing your air filter. Because we have the goal of keeping your machinery running smoothly, we will do an oil test at no charge to you.
Running Your Machine in Ideal Conditions
This seems like a no-brainer, but making sure your compressor is in a cool, dry place will do wonders for the lifespan of your machine.
Overheating Compressors
Hotter temperatures will cause your machine to overheat, and excessive moisture will cause rust and corrosion. If you can’t avoid running your machine in a less than ideal environment, be sure to check it more frequently for issues.
Spare Compressors Need to Run
Not getting your system up to temperature is also bad, because 180 degrees is the temperature at which moisture can be removed.
People will oftentimes keep a spare machine, but what they fail to consider is that moisture will build up inside of an airend while its dormant. We recommend running spare machines every week to keep them in good shape.
Keep a Log.
Without some sort of logging system, it is nearly impossible to keep track of updates you have made on your machines. There are a number of ways you can do this. Here's our favorite:
- Write the updates directly on your machine. Sometimes the old ways are the best! Here's our rotary screw compressor maintenance schedule. This log will also help you to remember recommended intervals.
Schedule Preventative Maintenance
By following these simple tips, you can keep your compressors running smoothly and help avoid costly repairs. If you have any questions or need assistance with preventative maintenance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help!
