I have a Dayton Speedaire compressor that will only pressurize to about 30 PSI. It appears that it isn’t possible to get parts for it any longer. From my investigation so far, Speedaire is Grainger’s house brand. This one is probably from the 80’s. Do any of you have experience in trouble-shooting or repairing an air compressor that might be willing to give me a few pointers? I’m going to unscrew the head gaskets to see if the compressor valve is damaged. If so, that may be all she wrote as I don’t believe it’s possible to get parts for this specific one any longer.
Grainger told me that a company named Florida Pneumatic are the ones that actually manufactured this specific one and they got out of the compressor business in late 90’s.
Thanks in advance for anything you might be able to share.
Pull the the heads off to check the valves as you say. Recip compressors downfalls is they are maintenance hogs. The valves are usually the item that have to be replaced. There are several valve styles. Reed valves are probably the most common.
They appear to be reed valves. One side is way dirtier than the other. i’ve only gotten one side to separate and expose the valves and they don’t appear to be broken. I’m still trying to separate the cylinder head from the valve plate on the other one. The gasket is stuck tight.
I’m reading up now on how to clean the valves to get all of that gunk out of the way. will add more pics after a bit.
oh, the oil appears to be clean and the right amount. The pistons both move up and down in the cylinder smoothly when i turn the wheel. Clearly, the previous owner didn’t have sufficient air filtration…
