Guess we dont have a forum for shop tools etc so thought I would post it here. I bought a 5 gal, oil lubricated, twin stack compressor from (Canadian Tire) last year because I wanted something portable and big enough for a brad nailer, and also occassional framing nailer use (small projects). Anyway, earlier this year, I had the compressor out and it worked fine, built up required pressure @80psi rather quickly and then turned off when it reached that number...yesterday, I had occassion to use it again and it was running for over an hour and did not build up required pressure (@80psi). I made sure the air release valve was closed and there were no leaks..I adjusted the pressure knob to its max and also to its min and it still didnt turn off..this morning, I decided I would change the compressor oil with the recommended 10W30 compressor oil it came with and filled to the proper level...after about an hour, it built up pressure to @60psi but didnt seem to want to go any higher..the start of the red line on the gauge is around 120PSI...the machine still would not turn off when pressure was built up ..had to turn it off from Auto setting...any thoughts 5 Gal Compressor

I'd be thinking first of air leaks (soapy water solution to be sure), then I'd suspect debris in the check valves, finally I'd begin to suspect cylinder/ring troubles...

If it won't reach it's designed cut-off pressure, it will not stop. Usually that's in the 100psi range, check your manual.

J

Checked with the soapy water and there were no leaks. Looked in the 5 page manual and no mention of a cutoff pressure..would assume that it would be 120PSI. No debris in any release valves..no escaping air anywhere..It has a 3yr warranty for repair and I purchased it last year in mid June

This a totaly a non-answer but considering it's still in warranty I'd just take it in and have the service center figure out what's wrong. It shouldn't cost you anything but a little time.

.
.
Either the reeds in the head are gummed up and stuck,
OR the head gasket is blown out.....

Try spraying some WD40 in intake - while running -

If no improvement, time to take head off.........

.

Yeah, I got the name of the shop that does their warranty work....its got a 3yr repair warranty...gonna call the guy tomorrow, as it happens, I know the guy..small engine repair shop

Found out what the problem was, the chrome breather cap has a 1.2 hole/air inlet which was facing down when I removed it and set it aside. I had checked the filter and the filter was reasonably clean..see daylight thru it. what I didnt see when I put the cap back on, was that the hole was plugged solid. Cleaned out the hole and it works like a charm...next time I will know better..lol

don't don't don't...
occasional occasional occasional...
occasion occasion occasion...
didn't didn't didn't...



OH! I just couldn't resist...

You're right you know...lol

.
.
Nothing in - nothing out....but plugged with what??

.