air compressor carb clean

[dougs-outboards]

Does anyone have experience on little air compressors? Trying to clean my outboard carb and the stupid thing goes up to about 40 lbs (or less) and shuts off. 😕

It’s a 4-5 year old little double horizontal tank electric noisy "buzz box" piston type, called a "Pitt Bull", maybe a 2 gallon or so. It’s got the big gauge and then the smaller gauge with the adjustable knob for pressure. I have tried every setting it has, and cannot up the pressure. Drained the tank, etc. It has been used moderately only during the summer months, so I do not think it’s a low compression issue.

Do I have to take the whole dial and outlet system off, apart and clean it perhaps? I depend on it quite a bit so do not want to go tearing up apart and wrecking it.

Perhaps someone knows a better web site, possibly dealing with these Japanese or China compressors.

Can’t load pics here, still on dial-up modem, takes days… I could prolly send a pic thru email if anyone is willing. outboardrepair1@yahoo.com, or 36o- 57seven – 787seven

I just thought surely as all of us have air compressors in this outboard hobby, someone might have had this prob and maybe a solution.

Thanks!

[crosbyman]

your high limit switch may be defective…compressor should pump up to 110-120 or so
and the out put pressur is dialed up.

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[Mumbles]

It sounds like the unloader valve/cut in cut out switch is misadjusted or has failed.

This is the switch box where the power cord goes in and also a small air line. Usually they can be set to shut off at maximum desired tank pressure and when to cut in again as the pressure drops. The small air line bleeds air out of the tank side of the pump so the motor won’t have to start the compressor against the tank pressure when it cuts in.

You should probably be getting at least 100 PSI in your tanks.

[chris-p]

I have that same little unit that I use for blowing things off, small jobs, etc….

Mine died on my a few days ago. Its amazing how much you rely on a compressor in our hobby! Everything I go to do I realize I used the compressor for.

Mine just buzzes when I plug it in. I have been doing some google searches on it, and all I can say is there Is a lot of good info on line about trouble shooting them. Hope yours works out.

[Mumbles]

quote Chris_P:

Its amazing how much you rely on a compressor in our hobby! Everything I go to do I realize I used the compressor for.
.

Exactly! You can never have ‘too much’ air but it’s very easy to have ‘not enough’. ☺

[chris-p]

Holy Cow Mumbles, that will do it! That would keep up to my sand blaster lol

[dougs-outboards]

Wow, thanks for all the tips, you guys are great, but then you already know that, eh? 🙂

Yeah, usta get 100-120, but not now. It goes up a little(40 lbs) then psssst! it shuts off. Then if I drain the hose of air, it gets down to almost zero lbs, then goes on, but takes several seconds after I quit squirting air.

I will continue my search, and chris_P, I will let you know if I run across anything about your particular problem too.

Thanks again, I welcome more info if anyone wants to chime in… Got a good start now anyway.

[Steve A W]

Mumbles that’s kinda over the top. LOL 😆

Chris
Check the pump to tank check valve, or the motor start capacitor.
They will both mimic the same symptoms.
To check the valve, with the comp off and air in the tank, loosen
the discharge line from the pump and listen for air leaking back from
tank.
To check the capacitor, Unplug power source, remove the wires from
the cap. and check with an analog VOM meter the same way you check
condensers.

Doug
It sounds like your pressure switch is bad.
You can probably get one at a hardware store or the big home centers.
Take your old one with you to compare as there are a lot of them and
many look alike.

Steve A W

Member of the MOB chapter.
I live in Northwest Indiana

[jeff-register]

Just to add a note: When checking your cap in the circuit if it is not the problem & holds a charge that coffee can cap will burn a screwdriver in half & more damage when it discharges. Be so careful with a big cap!!! They can start a HEART or stop it. You know the crash cart has a row of caps, specs:
12,000 -60 DC /36 DE. I have one by my desk now & they do more than hurt! PLEASE be careful!!!
Jeff

[burt]

Hope you can solve it. I would toss it out and start over.

[Author]

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