Having trouble with my air compressor. The darn thing leaks where a line connects to the switch. This doesn,t bother me too much as I turn it off when I leave the shop but sometimes when I an using my nailer, it tries to kick on but acts like it’s vapor locked and blows a breaker. I have drained the tank, cleaned the air filter and checked the oil but nothing seems to work. It will work fine until I get busy on the other side of the shop and then it will stick when it is difficult to get to it to turn it off. It is a Cambell Hausfeld 4.5 HP, 13gal. Any suggestions? Service seems hard to find.
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Sounds like the check valve is hung up. The line from your switch is connected to the check valve at the tank. When full pressure is reached the switch shuts off the motor and a part of the switch drains the line to the check valve to release air from the line so there is no load to allow it to start again. There's a plastic plug and a spring in the check valve. I've seen them get crooked and hang up or a piece of rust or debris could be keeping the check valve open a crack. Take it apart and clean it.
Edited 4/1/2008 5:30 pm ET by RickL
Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.
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