maintanance on mini air compressor

[Kolie]

Hi Guys

What is the maintanance to do on these small "4x4 air compressor"(150 psi type that you get from your local spares shop)

The reason for asking this type of question is because of so many of us have to buy another one after a few times you used it.As far as i could search the internet,the maintanance on this stuff is unknown but i know you guys know the answer,so thats why i am asking.I remove mine's top and the sleeve and found a lot of black powder but whith no luberication for the piston so eventually it will give up.What is the best to grease or oil to lube the piston?

Thanx
Kolie Jacobs

[Vlak vark]

Make sure that the magnets is the motor is alinged and glued to the body.
Mine wasn't

[Donkey]

Hi Kolie

Now you got us thinking, is there a type of seal or piston ring on the piston? That will guide in terms of what lubricant to use. Perhaps it may also help to spray a light film of Q20 on the metallic parts just to prevent moisture ingress and hence failure in the future. Jusy my 2c worth.

Regards,

[Kolie]

My compressor have a type of plastic washer on the piston(same like you find into a dubble stroke handpump) and this washer is moving up and down creating a lot of high temperature in the sleeve ,so with not much time the compressor will not get any compression to pump any air because you burned out that washer/seal.
I lubed mine with Q20 but with the heat i think the Q20 will break down and again the washer have no lubrication and can be damaged.(or is Q20 heat resistand)I feel we have to use a synthetic oil that will not break down when operate at high temperatures.

What about 2 stroke oil for lubrication?

[Donkey]

Let's wait for someone who may have the know but I hear what you're saying.

[Mud Dog]

The black powder you find in there is most likely graphite which is the dry lubricant. These little things don't all have an oil filled crankcase. Even less of them make use of the superior ceramic pistons / sleeves that never wear out. The only suggestion that I can make is to open up after use at regular intervals and manually lube with graphite powder in the bore and a good synthetic oil (not Q20 or 2 stroke oil) on the crank. That should prolong it's life, but I don't think they were built to last and one should look at replacement over time depending on frequency of use. This is why I tend to buy the slightly cheaper ones (around the R400 - R600 mark). Then it's not a big deal to throw it out when it's no longer performing.

[Kolie]

Hi Mud dog

Yea,the black power definitely comes from the sleeve,the crank have a nice sealed bearing on it so i have not to worry about that but the piston and sleeve,what do you think will the sucess if i use two stroke oil in the intake of the compressor while its in use.

Regards
Kolie

[Mud Dog]

Two stroke oil gells and becomes sticky over time .... it will defeat it's own objective. Don't use it. Rather use a dry lube like the graphite powder. Also doesn't harm the rubber / plastic of air lines etc.

[pietpetoors]

If it is lubricated with graphite powder I would not oil it as it will become sticky.
However oil might increase the pressure as the seal might seal better.
But then again you do not have a water/oil trap on that compressor, so too much oil might end up inside your tyres.

I have an el chepo Chinese model which I bought from Midas 5 years ago and it is still going strong, never opened it and it nether gave me any problems.

[arnize2]

Het my kompressortjie (nie die plastiek model nie) al 9 jaar sonder probleme. Ek dink die geheim is om hom nie te warm te laat word nie. Laat hom nie nie langer as so 5 minute werk voordat hy eers moet rus nie.

[Kolie]

Hi to all

Thanx for all the reply and all the facts i have'nt ever think off.I will look around for some graphite powder to make sure the stuff is nicely moving.
Another friend of mine recommend graphite grease(cv joint grease)aswell so hopefully my compressor will live with me for many years as it is a big NO to pump my ehicle's 4 tyres and a lot of other guys that is with you on a 4x4 adventure because of the rising temperature on the piston.

Greetings
Kolie