TROUBLESHOOTING Operation & Maintenance Manual
Introduction
Troubleshoot
ing for a portable air compressor is an organized study of a particular problem
or series of problems and a planned method of procedure for investigation and correction.
The troubleshooting chart that follows includes some of the problems that an operator may
encounter du
ring the operation of a portable compressor.
The chart does not attempt to list all of the troubles that may occur, nor does it attempt to
give all of the answers for correction of the problems. The chart does give those problems
that are mos
t apt to occur. To use the troubleshooting c hart:
A. Find the “complaint” depicted as a bold heading.
B. Follow down that column to find the potential cause or causes. The causes are listed in
order to s
uggest an order to follow in troubleshooting.
Think Before Acting
Study the problem thoroughly and ask yourself these questions:
1. What wer
e the warning signals that preceded the trouble?
2. Has a similar trouble occurred before?
3. What previous maintenance work has been done?
4. If the c
ompressor will still operate, is it safe to continue operating it to make further
checks?
Do the Simplest Things First
Most
troubles are simple and easily corrected. For example, most complaints are “low
capacity” which may be caused by too low an engine speed or “compressor over-heats”
which may be caused by low oil level.
Alw
ays check the easiest and most obvious things first; following this simple rule will save
time and trouble.
Double Check Before Disassembly
Th
e source of most compressor troubles can be traced not to one component alone, but to
the relationship of one component with another. Too often, a compressor can be partially
disassembled in search of the cause of a certain trouble and all evidence is destroyed
d
uring disassembly. Check again to be sure an easy solution to the problem has not been
overlooked.
Find and Correct Basic Cause
After a mechanical failure has been corrected, be sure to locate and correct the cause of
the trouble so the same failure will not be repeated. For example, a complaint of “premature
breakdown” may be corrected by repairing any improper wiring connections, but something
caused the defective wiring. The cause may be excessive vibration.
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