25 Gallon Air Compressor Locked Up

Open it up and see why it's stuck.
I'd guess it should be pretty easy to either dissconect the motor ot take the head off? Could be something basic that just needs freeing up/lubrication.
Go on and then you can post pics for our entertainment Prob' be more fun than what most of us are doing.
Del

Did you check the compressor oil?

I wouldn't flip the switch anymore until you can do some troubleshooting and make sure you can get everything moving freely manually.

I have told many folks through the years to just take something apart and see what's broken. It sounds like that is what I should do here. I suppose I was spooked by my internet search coming back with only motor/pump combo kits available.

I am finding it harder and harder to work on things as the whole world seems to be moving to sealed case unit construction. Serviceability appears to be disappearing.

In this case it seems I should take my own advice and remember that if something can be put together it can also be taken apart.

I will post pictures. Heck, I might find the thing slap full of mud dobbers!

Thanks,

-A-

Unfortunately, even if you can get something apart and identify the problem, finding parts is getting tough.

Don't laugh about the mud dobbers. I had the control box burn up on a compressor.............................took it apart, and it was chock full of tiny brown ants.

I ordered up a new one and sealed the whole thing with clear silicone caulk...............it's still working fine.

CH-WL350102 Parts Breakdown.

This might prove useful.

Oh wow! This is fantastic. Thanks Doorman. I don't know why this evaded my google search, but thanks!!

I will get back to y'all on this.

-A-

It's junk now, right? Worst thing that can happen if you can't fix it is it'll be junk in smaller pieces.

I'm betting it's the compresser. Motors don't generally just lock up, without some warning.

Spray some WD-40 in the intake hole and try it again in a few days.

Good luck.

<...Spray some WD-40 in the intake hole and try it again in a few days...>

And risk compression-ignition of the WD40?

Just make sure all CR4 readers stand back beforehand - preferably with fingers in their ears.....

"Spray some WD-40 in the intake hole and try it again in a few days."

Assuming some of the liquid gets by the valve and into the cylinder, in a few days, the flammable portion of the mixture will have evaporated.

Yeah. Good assumption.

I have serious doubts about that.

WD-40 is rather hard to get to compression ignite. I have shot it into diesel engines hoping it would work as starting fluid in a pinch. Nope didn't work.

Given the compressor would be starting up against a likely no load to light back pressure level well below that 17:1 or more compression that a diesel engine works at is the main reason I don't think it would be a problem.

That and I regularly shoot it into old compressors from time t time to clean the sludge and junk build up out of them and the check/unloader valve seats and have never had an issue with it igniting.

For what its worth typical CH compressors cant hit 120 PSI new out of the box in most situations which works out to less than a realistic 9:1 working compression ratio at best.

You have $100 invested.

The replacement kit is $250.

Based on your description of "locked up on me", at minimum, the replacement parts you will most likely need with shipping charges will be about a $100 and there is no guarantee that the unit will run properly or for long after you invest your time and money to repair it.

These POS Campbell Hausfeld compressors go for $115 to $250 new.

The WL350102AJ has been discontinued and replaced with an equally poor quality similar type - WL219005AJ.

Since 2008, Campbell Hausfeld has recalled roughly 250,000 of their POS compressors.

Browse some of these

If you look hard enough you could probably find a good, quality, brand name (if ya catch my drift), compressor on-line or locally for less than a new CH.

Not trying to be a kill-joy, just say'in is all.

Regards - KJK

Thanks KJK. I purchased this unit thinking that if the compressor didn't last I might be able to use the tank as a reservoir for a smaller compressor.

I agree with your POS assessment. But cheap is cheap and the old guy needed the money.

I think it will be worth my time to try Lyn's suggestion before I tear into the thing. Even then, some good suggestions are still coming in.

I will not allow any more than $20 or so to be spent on this project.

I really do appreciate your input and if I am going to pay full pop for a new compressor, it will definitely be a name brand.

Thanks,

-A-

If you do try the WD-40, remember to wait till the solvent has evaporated. PWSlack could have a point about compression detonation.

Meant to say:

If you look hard enough you could probably find a good, used, quality, brand name.................

^{just cleaned my glasses and saw the error}

That's very similar to the oil-less Campbell-Hausfeld compressor I have. I had to replace the "reed" valve plate that's part of the head. I didn't have any problems finding parts, there were a number of places that had the part, so I just searched around to find the best price. If you want the name of the place I ended up buying from, I can look when I'm home (at work now).

Tom D.

I do realize that CH compressors are not built-to-last, but for home/consumer use, it has served it's purpose. And, I got a free angle grinder and 50' of hose from the class-action lawsuit settlement . Seems the one I bought had been branded with a "Peak HP" rating that it could never attain.

Tom D.

Look for the 'unloader'. That valve device allows the motor to spin up before the compressor starts compressing. On motorcycles this is called a compression release.

Is this a belt driven unit? Single or three phase?

Try to keep up. Go back and read.

GA.

Best post when reading down from the top.......

Maybe the WD-40 can be used to clean the valve?

I would bet on a Capacitor that is well below its rated value due to age/lack of use.....

Makes me wonder if the compressor is seized. It may be that the motor start switch is not working. When the start winding is not functioning and an attempt is made to start, the motor will hum like it is seized. From what you write about the single use that you had from it, it ran OK till you shut it down. Usually when a compressor seizes, it slow down until something trips or smokes. The start winding can burn out if the start switch fails.

I would check the start switch before buying anything.

Vic

I think I would check the backflow valve on tank. The motor cannot start with air against piston. Maybe the problem as this is the problem most of the time, people keep trying to start it until it burns up.

More detailed info would be helpful.

Back to Basics. Is it the motor or compressor that is locked up? Try pulling on the belt with the power disconnected. If you can't tell from there, remove the belt.

There is some wise advice in this thread. My bet is either the start capacitor on the motor and/or the unloader valve.

Both cheap, simple fixes. If the compressor is seized, usually from lack of lubrication, it's the piston(s). That is where most of the heat is generated. If there was no oil at all, then the rod big end bearings are probably damaged, too. Remember, this type of compressor is splash lubricated.

This is an oil-less, directly driven compressor. No oil, no belt. This is a "consumer duty" compressor.

Tom D.

Ref. Qte.

No. Description Description Descripción WL350102 Ctd.

Thanks, Tom, I guess I should have looked at the parts break-down, before commenting.

This makes it a little more difficult to troubleshoot. Built cheap and sold cheap.

Seems like a throw-a-way compressor to me. I think this was a charity purchase.

I have the same compressor. I have found that it somtimes locks up on the compression stroke. If You turn the compressor by hand until its on the down stroke it will start and keep running. This only happens rarely.

You paid to much for the unit!

oilcan13

Did you check the oil?

Sounds like not

Try putting some in it, & turning it by hand until it frees up.

If it won't move, remove the head and oil around the piston, wait a few hours, then tap the piston using a hardwood block and largish hammer. Hopefully the rings will un-sieze and not too much damage will result.

Tell us, please, where would one put the afore mentioned oil?????????????????????????

Ref. Qte.

In the crank case

There is no crankcase. Read the thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh sorry, of course there isn't.

OK, so it took me awhile to figure this out, too. Never seen such a thing.

My compressor has a crankcase.

Yours prolly ain't Spanish/Italian either

But if you bought it 2nd hand, I bet you would go through it, and not believe such as "lubed for life" as it generally means exactly that.

yeah but if there's no crank case then you can get to the big end to lubricate it. You can also see up under the piston to lubricate it.
I can see with all this squabbling it's going to end in tears...especially if someone tells Mrs Cat
Del

Mrs Cat, is that a Pseudonym for "Pussy Galore" of James Bond fame? Goldfinger?

Played by Honor Blackman (sits in a chair doing ads for the chair company today........)

So you are married to Honor Blackman!!!!

That hardly qualifies as as squabble. As Lyn and I go, that's camaraderie.

And if it is open, there was possibly a wasp nest up there (or a fur-ball)

Remove the 710 cap. It goes there:

So, yer haff 'Weejie, eh? Then yew are familiar with the Norwegian treat Lutefisk. For dose not familiar with the finer points of consuming the delicacy (which is sucker fish soaked in battery acid), I have found dis for yew:

Here is one generally accepted method to lutefisk consumption:

To understand the relationship between akvavit and lutefisk, here's an experiment you can do at home. In addition to akvavit, you will need a slice of lemon, a cracker, a dishtowel, ketchup, a piece of lettuce, some caviar, and a Kit-Kat candy bar.

Take a shot akvavit.
Take two. (They're small.)
Put a bit of caviar on a bit of lettuce.
Put the lettuce on a cracker.
Squeeze some lemon juice on the caviar.
Pour some ketchup on the Kit-Kat bar.
Tie the dishtowel around your eyes.

If you can taste the difference between caviar on a cracker and ketchup on a Kit-Kat while blindfolded, you have not had enough akvavit to be ready for lutefisk. Return to step one.

This method compliments of lutefiskchef.info

LOL!!

You forgot the bucket for when you throw up!!

"sucker fish soaked in battery acid"

No, my dad told me (he was the Danish part of the mixed marriage) that lutefisk was fish soaked in lye, so the poor norwegians could store the fish for long periods of time. In order to eat the lye soaked fish, you would then soak it in acid to neutralize the lye, rise off the residue, and cook to taste (or lack thereof). My father was a great man, never liked the stuff, and made sure us kids did not have to taste it either.

From some of the stories I was told, your akvavit method of preparation to consume lutefisk would be very expensive because a vast quantity needs to consumed to be able to choke down the soft slimy tasteless mass that was formerly a cod or other whitefish. Mind you, for me this is all hearsay. I have never actually tasted lutefisk.

Lefse is a different story. With a bit of butter and sugar or honey, lefse is delicious!

I have heard it said that you can go broke eating lutefisk, what with the price of akvavit being what it is.

It is an acquired taste, one I have not acquired. Whenever a guest comes through town, occasionally they will ask me about it. There are a few stores that sell it and even a few restaurants that serve it, so and I take them to get a taste. Nobody has ever purchased some to take home with them.

[edit] Oops. I forgot to agree with you about lefse. Good stuff!

I am surprised this is on a 25 gallon tank. This unit would die before it got the tank up to pressure. Most 'oilless' compressors have a rubber diaphragm not a piston. Pistons need lubricating.

http://www.chpower.com/manualsearch/

I think since you have this much time invested in the compressor, you should go to the CH website and download a copy of one of the 5 or 6 manuals and do some light reading.

Wot? read stuff like this?;

That would take all the fun out of it

I'm sorry, you're right!

Just take it apart and see what you can learn. And if you can put it together without any parts leftover, maybe you learned to fix it right!