Compressor leak.
- Thread starter Gern
- Start date
New compressor time, no ifs, no buts, no coconuts.
Does your compressor have a moisture trap? A clear shot glass looking device attached to the regulator with a plunger you push up from the bottom of the trap to drain any trapped moisture.
Yep! But I've never seen any water in it.
Oh poop!
Is the leak from a welded seam or around the drain plug fitting. If it's around a seam or in the body of the receiver tank then Leyton O is 100% right, ditch it immediately or a nasty incident could occur. If the leak is from the threads where the drain plug screws in then a good clean MAY work.
Good luck.
Good luck.
It's nowhere near any seam or the drain plug.
If I'm understanding correctly the leak is from the main body of the tank, if it is don't risk using it as I have seen the damage that a full size one in a panel shop can do when it let's go.
As above mate, don't use it, its just not worth the risk when using any type of HPA (High Pressure Air) device.
Can I ask how long you have had the compressor? as I've just bought the same one myself....[Gulp!]
Can I ask how long you have had the compressor? as I've just bought the same one myself....[Gulp!]
Always a good idea to periodically undo the drain plug to let any moisture that has collected out.
I also release the tank pressure after each session by pulling the ring on the rear safety valve.
I also release the tank pressure after each session by pulling the ring on the rear safety valve.
Can't remember exactly when I bought it, but probably 6 or 7 years ago. Having said that, I've done no maintenance apart from draining it once last year, so probably the leak is my fault.
At the end of an airbrushing session I turn off the compressor and always release the pressure by unscrewing the drain plug in the bottom of the tank. I then leave the plug out until the next time I use it. By removing the drain plug water is blown out and by leaving the plug out any moisture in the tank has a chance to evaporate. When you remove the plug you can see water on it. No water=no rust.
Summat to remember for my next compressor!
Good advice mate, I'll try to remember it for mine, cheers
That's not good Dave. As the others have said, release the tank pressure and periodically drain it. To put Peter's mind at rest, I've had mine for 7 years with regular use and have had no major issues.
The water trap rarely look like it has much moisture in it, give it a burst before relieving the tank pressure entirely (or use it to drain the tank) and you will still get water come out.
I occasionally get a very small leak from the safety valve caused by the ring not sitting flush, simply adjusting the ring and pushing the valve in solves it. Do you have a photo of the rust out of interest? Could be something we should all check for.
The water trap rarely look like it has much moisture in it, give it a burst before relieving the tank pressure entirely (or use it to drain the tank) and you will still get water come out.
I occasionally get a very small leak from the safety valve caused by the ring not sitting flush, simply adjusting the ring and pushing the valve in solves it. Do you have a photo of the rust out of interest? Could be something we should all check for.
What Jim says. If you don’t do this you will have a mild steel vessel with water in it. That’s a recipe for corrosion. In addition you will generate more moisture in warm humid conditions.
My Iwatta compressor is tankless, but I generate probably 5 ml condensation during every spray session, judging by the water trap on the outlet line. Your tanked compressor will hold this in the belly of the reservoir if you don’t drain it, so will rot out from the bottom.
My Iwatta compressor is tankless, but I generate probably 5 ml condensation during every spray session, judging by the water trap on the outlet line. Your tanked compressor will hold this in the belly of the reservoir if you don’t drain it, so will rot out from the bottom.
Get rid of it because one day you will be halfway through and that will be the end of your day. Compressors today are at reasonable prices, do not buy Chinese knockoffs but go to a reputable store that can help you with what you need aka SMS or Airbrush.co.uk, I am sure John can point you in the right direction.
I used to do this, until the whole thing died.Went out and bought a Iawata Smart Jet Pro
Good aren’t they 
They are quality. The don't have a tank but Iwata seems to have overcome any pressure pulsing and they are very quiet and compact. When I bought my Sparmax I would have liked the Iwata but it was a fair bit more expensive. Should have bitten the bullet
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