Teardown of a 3 Gal. 1/3 HP 100 PSI Oil-Free Pancake Air Compressor from Harbor Freight

I attempt to repair my air compressor that had stopped building pressure.
Harbor Freight SKUs 60637 and 61615

[@patriciaborst4802]

I took my compressor apart and thankfully the valve was still intact. However, I noticed that the exhaust tube was broken. Heading to Lowes now to see if they have a replacement. Amazon sells them for about $9. The exhaust tube is the bent pipe attached to the valve housing. Thanks for posting this video!

[@dancoz5477]

Talk about programmed obsolescence and assured buyer comming back for another sale. Give me a speech on ecology and reuse. Good marketing practices. Continue buying Harbor Freight.

[@cmel7841]

Looked all over youtube, suspected the valve and sure enough mine was not closed and shaking around inside. Looked all over to try and find a new head, then found your video and realized I could pop out that part, Now off to try and make a new reed. Thanks!

[@larryhobbs4824]

I just soldered mine back in place and runs great. Builds pressure like it was new. Been running it now 3 months and seems to have fixed it. Thanks for the video

[@DavinDesborough]

Yes, I should have thought to try that. Glad to hear you fixed yours!

[@fredroger1544]

I took off my cylinder head just like u did but didn't look to see that hidden valve, thank u ,nobody else showed this , same problem I have here. This was done smartly .

[@DavinDesborough]

Thanks for the compliment! Sorry this slipped through and took a while to respond to. Did you come up with a fix, or is it still dead?

[@mattheweburns]

Same thing here. Thanks for the video, cheers!

[@BallBusta]

Had a small leak with hissing coming from the head of my central pneumatic 97080. Turns out it had the same issue so I decided to expedite replacing the unit by going to service it. It had the same failure in the head valve with the tab being broken. You really do get what you paid for with these Chinese compressors. I think they rebranded to McGraw or something. Honestly, I'll just buy a brand with a better build quality and parts that are easy to replace if something fails. Not worth flushing 50 bucks at a time when you can do 10 on some new seals and valves.

[@65csx83]

Good try. I've seen guys successfully substitute reed valves using various metals such as valve feeler gauge, soda can, and others.

[@bradkerr2798]

You had the right idea with making a new reed valve!! If it was aluminum flashing, it wont last long as it will fatigue and either not close or break off; if it was galvanized steel flashing it might work. Best bet is a piece of an old steel feeler gauge blade or other thin springy steel. Also, the cut out piece was too wide, which was why it got crushed by the head. And the word you were thinking of is wrist pin (holding piston to rod). Well done videos!

[@DavinDesborough]

Thanks! It was aluminum and it did fail fast. I was mostly curious if it would work at all, and it did for a bit. I may take another swing at it if I find some thin steel as you suggest, but the new compressor I show at the end is far nicer. Thaks again for the compliment and for watching!

[@christhompson200]

Gave it the ol college try!!! You get an A for effort!

[@DavinDesborough]

Yeah, if I could just find the right material, it would be completely repairable. Oh well. Thanks for watching!

[@Hipsters_N_Hippies]

Honestly, calling a wrist pin a knuckle joint was certainly close enough. However that’s the first time that I’ve seen a piston/connecting rod without a wrist pin. (Now you can order parts from harbor freight. For their products)

[@markashlock9017]

Thourghly enjoyed that. Nice try!!

[@DavinDesborough]

Thanks. It was worth a shot. :-)

[@danielebrparish4271]

Teflon tape is a thread lubricant, not a sealer. Many people have this misconception. It is to prevent the threads from rusting together. Use Rectorseal No. 5 pipe sealant for gas and compressed air fittings. Steam fittings require separate sealing materials depending on the pressure and temperatures being used.

[@Ecksterphono]

Lapped O-ring piston design. Oiless compressor. Wrist pins get oblong. The greases overheat and cake up and the check valve gets damaged. These are not for heavy duty use. You can actually get parts for the Briggs and Stratton version of these compressors. ( Or Alton industries). The cylinders are also sintered metal design with built in lubricant. Campbell Hosfield actually had compressors like this for years. I've had compressors like these last me for years. But now Chinese manufacturers have really taken shortcuts on their products. Don't toss it. You need thermoset check valves or flaps that don't over vulcanize when it gets hot. Remember that these compressors are only light duty usage. Even the new one you bought, be careful.

[@DavinDesborough]

Thanks! The old one was only used for tire inflation and the like. Never used for tools. It still didn't make it. :-)

[@JohnCena-jn1wj]

I use to have the harbor freight 3 gallon air compressor but it broke so I went to lowes and bought a kobalt 6 gallon air compressor

[@MikeTyson2]

I think I'm just going to take the main compressor part off the tank mounted to a board and put it in a little housing and splice a hose onto it

[@michaelmakemson4390]

Yeah i think that’s what’s wrong with mine I bought it from harbor freight on sale only used it a few times it still looks mint used a air gun to do quarter round and after I finished the compressor stopped pumping air your right you get what you pay for I should throw it right threw the store’s window because I was talked into buying it instead of putting money out for a craftsman one

[@DavinDesborough]

FWIW, the Fortress I show at the end is still running strong, and quiet. They are far better than the Central Pneumatic ones

[@michaelmakemson4390]

@@DavinDesborough what did you pay for that one I didn’t see the very end of your video when you said you were going to trash it I went back to look. I only bought it because the guy in the store talked me into it and he said it’s a great compressor and I’ll save a bunch of money it’s not like I use this on a day to day basis I bought it Incase I need to put air in the car tires or to blow up floats for the pool it barely even got used I used it the most in one day to tack molding around my baseboard’s after putting new flooring in and it stopped pumping air after I got done I opened it up like you did but didn’t flip that piece around to see the part broken off I seen the little hole but thought nothing of it and found a very small piece of metal in there and cleaned it out but still no air pressure so I’m gonna open it up again and remove the piece because probably that’s what it is I’ll see if I can make a part for it first out if extra thin tin I have laying around if not I’ll just buy a better one

[@DavinDesborough]

@@michaelmakemson4390 I think I got it for around $150? Pre-pandemic and with a coupon, so definitely less than the current $199 price. I use it sort of like you. Odd jobs, tires, nothing heavy-duty. The one thing I will stress is how quiet it runs. Worth the money for that alone in my opinion.

[@michaelmakemson4390]

@@DavinDesborough nice….I’ll look into it I bought that one for the same purpose odd jobs I have every other tool but to not really get that much use out of it and it’s broken lol crazy you get what you pay for I guess

[@mikey6071]

That red knob in the center regulates the air pressure thru the line. If it's screwed all the way out, you have low air pressure. The right gauge is the tank pressure. When you was initially checking for air leaks with soapy water, you had NO air pressure at all..... so one of those "duhhhhhhh" moments

[@DavinDesborough]

If you watch the video closely, there is a cut at 2:57 as I am applying the soapy water. I didn't want to annoy people with more footage of the compressor running. That, and it is too loud to talk over. In short, yes, there was no pressure shown in the video, but I did run the compressor to see what I could find. Thanks for watching!

[@danielpadgett2831]

Just got one of these i hope it last longer than 1 yr but if not ole well

[@DavinDesborough]

Yes, if it dies, you'll probably have gotten your money out of it by then. Thanks for watching

[@rdaw33]

You should have used a piece of a thin feeler gauge for the valve, that is if you could drill the two little holes in it.

[@DavinDesborough]

Yes, springy metal like that would have been better. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@1a9r7t]

gracias por el dato mismo problema en el mio y voy a aventarme a hacerlo yo mismo .. saludos desde tijuana México 10/02/21

[@DavinDesborough]

¡Buena suerte para ti! ¿Tienen Harbor Freight en México? ¿O lo compraste en los Estados Unidos?

[@1a9r7t]

en mexico

[@Moflydotcom]

Next time, get a 24" section of clear plastic tubing. The outside diameter should be about the size of your ear opening. Put the tubing in your ear and hold the other end where you might hear a hissing noise.

[@DavinDesborough]

Makeshift stethoscope, good idea!

[@shoeshineboy5869]

Welp, I got piston problems. Little rubber 0 ring broke and hard plastic support ring thingy of some sort broke too. Can't find parts anywhere. Central pneumatic doesn't even acknowledge having made the thing, much less a support manual. Suggestions?

[@DavinDesborough]

Sadly, these are basically treated as disposable items. If you want to fix it, it will involve getting creative with alternative parts or scavenging from another compressor. I am going to use mine as an auxiliary air tank to expand the capacity of my newer compressor.

[@shoeshineboy5869]

@@DavinDesborough Ok, thanks for getting back to me.

[@MikeTyson2]

Mine is not holding air at all and I can't hear a hiss because it's building up no pressure but the compressor is putting out air I took the hose off and felt that it is any ideas please and thank you

[@77hemi]

My gauge cluster has a big crack in near the quick connect. How do you replace or fix that?

[@DavinDesborough]

I assume the crack is in the metal? The issue is there are no parts available for these. You need to find a donor compressor and part it out. Honestly they are so inexpensive that they are basically disposable. That said, its fun to try and fix them. I suppose you could try JB Weld or something similar to fill the crack, but I wouldn't expect it to last even if it holds at first. Good luck with it!

[@hdman97]

You could try GB Weld

[@titusrobinson4739]

Hello I just bought the central pneumatic pancake air compressor, but it did not come with a fuse. What kind of fuse does it take and where do I order them from?

[@DavinDesborough]

I don't believe there is a traditional fuse. It has a pressure cutoff, of course. And there is probably a thermal fuse in the motor somewhere, but no normal fuse to replace. If your unit is not turning on and you just purchased it, take it back while you still can.

[@MrHeem94]

Personally, I think the problem is lack of connectors on the right there. If you add some more it just might fix it.

[@DavinDesborough]

Eh, it's what I had on hand to get both sides of the quick release threaded on. I think I have a couple more parts I could add though. :-)

[@MikeTyson2]

QUICKLY TAKE APART THE NEW COMPRESSOR... AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AND SEE IF IT WORKS. IF NOT GO TO HARBOR FREIGHT AND BUY A NEW COMPRESSOR.. AND... You know the rest

[@sproulman1]

Take black plastic cover off back of motor ...inside is piston connecting rod and bearing ... Bearing falls apart .. Causing piston to not pump correctly .. No fix fir it ...

[@johnsnyder3204]

HERE IS ONE FIX (I HAVE THE EXACT SAME COMPRESSOR, IT HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM): 1) REMOVE THE TOP - 6 Phillips head screws, 2) REMOVE THE RED VALVE ADJ. KNOB - screws out. 3) REMOVE VALVE BETWEEN PSI GUAGES (30MM SOCKET). Then, good ole WD40. My valve was stuck open such that all the air was going straight out. Once I did that and put it all back together, problem solved! : )

[@kle2217]

I just bought this for $40 at HF. Do I need to get a filter to for it to remove water and dirt? If so, do you have any recommendations? I see a lot of filters on the market have another regulator and adjustment on them. Not sure why, since this pancake compressor already comes with the adjustment regulator. Thx

[@DavinDesborough]

I never put a dryer on mine, but I would recommend one if you are going to use it with tools. I only used my mine for inflation and air for cleaning.

[@GabeDiaz84]

Mine goes up to 40 psi, any suggestion what could be?

[@DavinDesborough]

I pretty much has to be one of three things: the little "sheet metal" valve, the seal around your piston, or a leak somewhere. For a leak, get some soapy water and spry all joints. Bubble would indicate a leak. You can tighten the connection, or better yet, take it apart and use some teflon tape around the threads if the leak is occurring at a compression fitting. If you can't find any leaks, I would take off the head and check the valve and piston. Good luck!

[@GabeDiaz84]

@@DavinDesboroughyes, I found out, the seal around the piston. But I made one with gasket silicon because I didn't find one online. Any idea?

[@DavinDesborough]

@@GabeDiaz84 Yeah, I can't see that working. The ring around the cylinder is supposed to be self lubricating. Gasket sealer is not. Unless you mean you sealed the head. Anyway, did you check the two valves?

[@Gods-Elect]

Where can one buy gaskets for this compressor ?

[@DavinDesborough]

I personally have not seen any parts for this compressor. You'll probably need to make your own (cut gasket material or use gasket sealant) as appropriate. Good luck!

[@Gods-Elect]

@@DavinDesborough Thanks yesterday i could get it up to 70 and it would hold today took it apart again looked good except gaskets put it back together only got up to about 35-40 so i'm thinking replace gaskets might do it.

[@DavinDesborough]

@@Gods-Elect That, or it is the check valve like what failed on my unit.

[@Gods-Elect]

@@DavinDesborough I finally took it apart and made gaskets out of cardboard and now i get 70 psi and it holds but that's it i'm also wondering if i change the release valve to the other side would it blow up tires faster?

[@cookieman876]

I have not seen a single oil free air compressor that is built to last. Especially if you use them in even remotely dusty conditions regularly

[@robertwehner4925]

eBay has valves

[@brianjohnson2059]

It will never work, thanks it fixed mine.

[@litahsr.8226]

shit ME... easy to remove the parts but hard to get them back in ~ oh yeah keep you part ya never know when on part breaks

[@DavinDesborough]

If I had a barn I would have so much stuff saved up "just in case". :-) Thank for watching and commenting.

[@litahsr.8226]

​@@DavinDesborough ​ Hey I went to Harbor Freight and bough 2 nailer 18g ($24.00) and pin nail ($27,99) and saw the 3Gal there was 3 left for $39.99 but didn't buy it wanted the one u got fortress but the the one I want is a 6 gal and not in the store (online) cheaper price $139 but after thinking might buy the 3 gal tomorrow IF they are still there since its a cheap price besides its gonna be my first time anyway can get one in the future for now 🙂

[@DavinDesborough]

@@litahsr.8226 The Fortress is so much nicer. You can actually have a conversation while it is running. I need to get a nailer soon.

[@litahsr.8226]

@@DavinDesborough maybe you are right fortress instead !

[@ivanpainter357]

rome was,t built in a day and junk is junk i,ll give you credit for patients ivan from illinois.

[@rb.867]

It’s worn out ,the piston should never move side to side LOL

[@DavinDesborough]

The piston rod and piston are one piece on these, hence the wobble. Fairly common on these little air compressors.

[@buddylee6477]

there is no air pressure in it dummy. turn it on then ck

[@DavinDesborough]

I get the feeling you didn't watch the whole video. The whole point is that it wasn't able to build pressure.