Compressor Runs But Won't Compress - Can it be repaired? (Central Pneumatic 95275)

This Harbor Freight Central Pneumatic Model 95275 100PSI 3 Gallon Pancake Compressor cost me $5 second hand. The motor runs but it will not build air beyond a few PSI. We'll diagnose the problem and show you how to fix it if you have the same issue.
Manual: www.centralpneumaticaircompre...
Here are the replacement rings I bought, but they may not be the perfect option (see note below!): amzn.to/47QkCSA
IMPORTANT NOTE!
In the video, I measured the old SILICONE rings with my calipers to order new rings, but this of course wasn't perfect. The manual for this unit gives the dimensions of replacement head rings. They are two different sizes as follows:
TOP RING: D 31.5mm x 1.8mm
BOTTOM RING: D 31mm x 2mm
Finding these exact dimension of silicone rings might be difficult, but given the ease of replacement and low cost of rings, I highly recommend keeping spare rings on hand for these units. Be sure to buy SILICONE rings, as they are high temp capable.
#repair #mechanic #restoration
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[@Fixologist1]

IMPORTANT NOTE! In the video, I measured the old SILICONE rings with my calipers to order new rings, but this of course wasn't perfect. The manual for this unit gives the dimensions of replacement head rings. They are two different sizes as follows: TOP RING: D 31.5mm x 1.8mm BOTTOM RING: D 31mm x 2mm Finding these exact dimension of silicone rings might be difficult, but given the ease of replacement and low cost of rings, I highly recommend keeping spare rings on hand for these units. Be sure to buy SILICONE rings, as they are high temp capable.

[@dalesmyth7398]

I have the same compressor. So far, mine has been ok. I used a small nail gun with it, it was fine. Mainly I use it to air up my lawnmower tires. I have lots of goat-heads in parts of the yard, and always have flat tires. I've used it air-brushing too, with an adapted water filter. I give $15.00 for mine.

[@DavidHBurkart]

Thanks Brad. Always wondered about those inexpensive pancake compressors

[@kensolo6793]

As soon as I saw the video title I thought to myself "I bet its an oil-less compressor" as they are infamous for these issues

[@ArmandoGonzalez-qo8tx]

You need a podcast you speak truth .

[@Curtislow2]

A spray bottle with soapy water will help show leaks. Also the piston ring thing is called a bearing similar to ones in hydraulics.

[@Fixologist1]

It would if the leak was suspected to be around a brass coupler, but I'm not gonna go spraying water on an electric motor.

[@Curtislow2]

@@Fixologist1 Granted. proper aim would be necessary. Also you are correct ,the bearing act as a compression ring. Also it facilitates the use of an oil-less system,as it is a non ferrous material. I am enjoying the new channel and the content.

[@DeadKoby]

The rubber ring on the piston didn't look so hot........... I think I spotted a slice in the side. All-fresh rubber in the pump is/was the ideal solution, provided the parts can be bought.

[@hestheMaster]

They're watching you Brad. Stay put and the black SUV's will be there shortly. Just kidding. 9 times out of 10 the likeliest thing about not holding air is that red knob regulator valve. They slightly close and won't open or close fully. Replaced two as they fail too frequently in my compressor which is over 12 years old now. The valve body in yours is quite small (per the tank size) so the head unit probably got quite the workout over time with little lubrication. The little leak could be the tank's air release valve sticking open a bit at the end of the video.

[@Fixologist1]

I believe the slow leak at the end was a result of imperfect ring size. The manual for this unit gives the ring sizes, which I did not see until after making the video. I think the air was leaking back past one of the head rings and down past the piston.

[@GrumpyUnkMillions]

They may be 'oilless' by design, but I took some silicone spray and got the cylinder & ring coated with wet spray. I figured that I was not going to paint, and did not care if it was contaminated with silicone. I *think* it made it work better and who knows, it may make it last a bit longer. The white fan could stand to have a coffee can laid on top do actually duct the airflow over the top of the cylinder. As it is, it just blows air around in no particular direction. If you want it to work, ask HF for the list of parts they carry(if any). They do carry some, and are reasonable in their pricing. I doubt you get to air up more than two tires that are a couple pounds low before it will want more juice. Mine is that way. tom

[@gappedtoto1663]

Love you Brad

[@gabrielrivera1915]

Awesome video

[@vickanid1862]

In my unit, it would only go up to 40 psi. Upon examination, the check valve in the manifold (under the circular piece with the gasket that you removed) had actually come apart. I put the pieces back together and crimped the pins a bit and it's holding great now. It's important to line up the check valve circular piece up correctly with the piston. The oval shaped piece needs to line up with the two pins on the piston head. Pressurizes up to 100 psi before teh built in pressure switch turns it off.

[@davidstorm4015]

Close to the end of the video when yousaid it was leaking slightly, it looks like the bottom left screw that is holding the head in place is not fully tightened.

[@tenlittleindians]

Oil less means it's probably a diaphragm pump rather than a piston pump. I seen a similar unit for sale on ebay that some company has used to build into scuba hookahs. The one for sale had two scuba regulators with long hoses attached. Sailboat people keep them on their boats to clean the bottom of their boats. They also spearfish and catch lobster under their boats. A hookah conversion video would be interesting. People in your neck of the woods use hookah units to hunt for treasure in rivers with metal locators. They find tons of lures and lost sunglasses and cell phones.

[@brainndamage]

It is a piston pump. The piston ring is a plastic impregnated with graphite which lubricates itself. It needs to be completely dry, no oil or grease.

[@tenlittleindians]

@@brainndamage Yes! I had commented before watching the video.

[@bil4lo1]

I have this compressor as well. But the output tubing on mine is not copper... it aluminum tubing. Mine was also not building pressure. My pump was working just fine. My issue was the excessive vibration caused the aluminum tubing to crack where it connects to the tank. Obviously it won't build pressure if there's a major leak. Easy fix. By the way, thanks for the video

[@darrellkelly7614]

Here I am...Friday Fix time.

[@river4837]

Did you notice how tight things were on that compressor ? it's the two diaper changes and the bowl of rice the Chinese toddler get's during his shift.

[@nicholasstanziola]

I have the hotdog shaped version of that, which has been a good little unit. The check valve gave up, which was of a terrible design. I removed its guts and installed a real check valve inline. It's been working great again since.

[@SuperParkway]

thanks buddy. i have 2 years old 2 Gallons Hyundai air compressor that's doesn't work cause not building pressure.

[@andrewwilliams3394]

Try turning the Attack, Sustain and Level knobs to maximum!!!

[@Fixologist1]

I like to lower that Threshold and start compressing early.

[@orlandoc.santos]

Is anybody. Know where I can find intire knob asambly for this 3 gallon air compressor ,it a central pneumatic 61615 model.

[@armyvet4081]

amen to your rant - sir

[@toddweaversound]

The ring on the piston is cracked almost all the way through, it shows up good on the video, it didn't seem that you mentioned seeing it. I would imagine it would speed up compressing the tank if you replaced that.

[@Fixologist1]

that's not a crack, it's the way the thing is assembled. Looks like it comes in two pieces.

[@toddweaversound]

Wow. It looked like it might be a major loss of compression there. Normally crack kills.@@Fixologist1

[@paulstaf]

@@Fixologist1 I have looked at other YT videos of similar units and the rubber ring around the piston was one piece without any cracks.

[@DavusClaymore]

We can barely make the best selling American truck due to overseas dependence on computer chips. No option to run on a carburetor.

[@DavusClaymore]

The apparently nylon piston compressor ring in mine was chewed all to hell. No obstructions in the valve on mine. The head cylinder gasket wasn't the issue. Now the question is what the hell do I make a piston seal ring out of?

[@DavusClaymore]

Shoe Goo? An old credit card? Maybe any old piece of plastic I suppose, apparently that's what the factory used!

[@DavusClaymore]

I suppose you could use leather. Compressing air concentrates moisture. That would moisturize the leather upon each use.

[@roseblackbeer3478]

What other KZbin videos do you have?

[@gabrielrivera1915]

My issue is the aluminum hose that goes from pump to tank snapped at . Any recommendations to replace part?

[@Fixologist1]

Take that hose to the auto parts store and ask them what they have. A mom and pop store will be better than a chain if you can find one.

[@gabrielrivera1915]

I had enough hose to make the fix thanks!

[@LBizKid04]

What would be the reason why mine shuts off at about ten psi each time?

[@Fixologist1]

If it only gets up to 10psi and stalls at that pressure and runs for a long time at 10 before shutting off, that could be the circuit breaker kicking in. But if it gets to about 10 relatively quickly then shuts off abruptly, you probably need a new pressure switch. Likely that's faulty.

[@LBizKid04]

@@Fixologist1 I turn it on, and it runs for about a minute or so to get up to ten psi, then shuts off. If I let any air out, it runs again to get to ten psi, and then shuts off...

[@bil4lo1]

Defiantly a pressure switch issue if it shuts itself off at 10psi. If it gets to 10 psi and still runs and runs... then its a leak or an issue in the cylinder head as shown in this video. The amount of leak also will make a difference on how high the pressure goes up... if is is a significant leak, it will only build up to a low pressure and continue to run, if it is a slight leak it could go higher but not reach the pressure switch shut off pressure and continue to run. I work on 6,000 PSI Bauer Compressors for the fire service and 90% of the time if its not reaching shut down pressure it's a leak on the output side. The other 10% the pressure switch is bad.

[@LBizKid04]

@@bil4lo1 thanks for the reply! Mine started working after I put in a new pressure switch

[@slowpoke4557]

"They" heard you talking smack about the Chinese and sent out a helicopter to survey you in retaliation

[@damnyankeex1]

Shop Force from China AKA Shop Farce.

[@erikmendez739]

I thought i recognized your voice.

[@edwardverduzco88]

5:53.... Hit subscribe and 👍. Love your politickin'. Don't care anymore wether or not the compressor gets fixed. Great show. I'm in San Diego. Things have been quiet lately, but 2019 through November 2021 was ripe with lots of peculiar military, law enforcement, and cruise ship movement. I can't wait to find out what was really going on. I believe answers are coming. God is in control, reality is malleable, the madella effect is a legitimate phenomenon, and miracles happen every day. My eyes are glued to the sky, my ears are listening to every theory, my mind is racing to connect dots between seemingly unrelated subjects, and my tinfoil hat is tuned in.😎👍 Biden is a CGI clone bot, and Mr. T is coming back, hopefully sooner than expected. Thanks for the vid. I have a feeling us folks who fix stuff and make things out of nothing will be quite sought after in the future. We're gonna have to teach the next generation how to rebuild America 2.0 after the woke ,elite, depopulation agenda flops and goes belly up. Georgia Guidestone's didn't get destroyed for nothing. They're time is coming to a close. I hope we get to see every humiliating detail.

[@kensolo6793]

So, that's how they are providing aide to Ukraine. They are sending them all the gold in Fort Knox.

[@neilstratmeyer8588]

Knipex pronounced ni'pex ... but interesting video.

[@brainndamage]

The piston ring is a plastic impregnated with graphite which lubricates itself. It needs to be completely dry, no oil or grease. Take the reed valves apart and clean them. The piston ring might just be worn out. These are a crap design and aren't worth buying

[@hiredgun7186]

its a thin PTFE, they use it in industrial high pressure oil free units as well, larger more conventional type rings. the ring on this piston is more of a cup seal , they wear like a bastard and take the cylinder with them , I think thats more the problem here. I have been a compressor tech for almost 30 years now and seen a TON of these disposable self destruct units, I charge $125 an hour to fix compressors , so these are not even worth buying o rings for. I usually tell a customer , buy a new one and cascade your old tank in with the new one , double your capacity, or spend a bit more and get an oiled unit

[@brainndamage]

@@hiredgun7186 You have way more experience than me then, I've only ever seen one. I don't think it's regular PTFE, it's graphite filed?

[@hiredgun7186]

@@brainndamage its a PTFE/graphite composite, like a teflon alloy of sorts, these are hobby compressors, don't sell for much new , and are generally not worth fixing , if even parts are accsessable

[@graxjpg]

@@hiredgun7186whats that like, being a compressor tech? you only work on air compressors?

[@hiredgun7186]

pays well , I repair, rebuild and refurbish all makes , models and sizes of compressors , blowers, and diaphragm pumps. I also build custom air treatment packages and blower or compressor packages. I have also delved into Pneumo robotics (computer controlled air actuated process machinery). its basically millwright , but heavily specialized, kinda like a heart surgeon as opposed to a GP. I also get into board level repair on controls and electrical. It has made a comfortable life for my family , benefits are good , I am Canadian, so health care is govt covered , but i do get a tool and boot allowance, drugs , dental and eyeglass are covered , and i get a truck to take home with me as well @@graxjpg

[@ArmandoGonzalez-qo8tx]

I thought i was the only who thought about china like that . If their military is as good as the stuff they manufacture th3n we good .

[@DogAlpha]

Interior Designer, yep you shoulda stuck with that career choice. 😹

[@alfredocuomo1546]

I use mine with my nail gun all the time, they really aren't that good for tires because tires need large Volume & a pancake compressor does have it.