The key to prolonging the lifespan of your air compressor is proper maintenance. When neglected or unkempt, the quality of your piece of machinery may begin to rust, which is an absolute hazard for your compressed air systems. 

 

When common problems, such as leakage or clogging, start manifesting, it is best to attend to them right away in order to prevent further damage in your equipment. Without proper maintenance, machines are prone to corrosion which may even lead to explosions. Follow the simple yet complete maintenance checklist below to prevent future damage. 

 

Air Compressor Maintenance Checklist

 

Parts to Check and Clean 

Oil Pump

The oil that leaks into the system can potentially mix with the water formed from the vapor. This can lead to clogging when not properly cleaned out, which is why it is crucial to inspect oil pumps regularly to make sure airflow is free from obstruction. 

When the oil exceeds more than the halfway point of the sight glass, it means that your pump is in need of a cleanup. Here is a simple check and clean guide:

• Turn off your air compressor and remove the fill cap and place it under the oil drain cap. 
• Let the oil drain from there and replace the oil cap. 
• Seal it properly and fill the oil not exceeding halfway point.

Caution! Remember that these parts are hot to the touch, so be careful.

 

Filter Elements

Air and oil filters make maintenance less of a hassle. However, they are due for a regularly scheduled cleanup. Here is the steps to get it cleaned.

• Always make sure that your compressor is off and cooled before checking and cleaning this part.
• Unscrew the top of the filter and take out the element
• Clean out the debris and dust. If it’s too far gone for a cleaning, replace it.
• Place back the element and screw the filter top back on.

 

The Maintenance Routine

For the most part, it is habitual checking of your compressor that makes you most sure about the state of it. When you are up-to-date with the state of your equipment, it makes it much easier to spot possible damages that may occur if not attended to.

As a general rule of thumb, it should be a daily habit to check the levels of everything liquid. Here are the important daily maintenance tasks to fulfill:

• Oil leaks should be widely monitored alongside moisture levels. 
• It is also important to always drain the tank of the excess vapor.

Other daily checks include: 

• Air leaks in the piping system as well as 
• The state of your hoses and whether or not there is potential for them to clog or rust at the tips.
• Observe the noise and vibration that your machine makes as well. While it is normal for most air compressors to be noisy and cause some vibration, an excess of it may be alarming.

As for non-daily checks:

• Since filters do aid in the maintenance side, checking and cleaning or replacing them can be done on a weekly basis. 
• Other checks like the screws and bolts can be monthly since they don’t necessarily have a big and direct effect of the overall system. Still, knowing that everything is bolted down can ease your worries of the machine going wayward. 

Many compressor problems are essentially preventable when your machine is taken proper care of. Don’t forget to follow these steps to continuously keep your equipment in their best shape. Make it a habit to always put the maintenance of your machine as a priority before and after use.

 

Also Read: Work Safety Tips When Using Air Compressors

 

When going through routine maintenance checks, you will need complete monitoring systems that can help keep track of the air pressure, moisture, and other factors that can affect performance. Compresstech Resources Inc. is a supplier of reliable monitoring systems to help you keep track of the energy costs much faster. These systems even detect leaks and directly notify you when one is present. Contact us now to enquire and purchase our energy-saving solutions today. 

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