Question from C Roberts:
I purchased a 2.0hp Superworks air compressor from Supercheap Auto a while ago and I am now having problems with it. It is running but won't provide enough loading to use any of the tools or accessories. It has been used reasonably regularly but has certainly not been over worked. I have tried working through the instruction booklet that comes with it and have carried out any measures that I can interpret from it. But it is very limited at best. I was wondering if you either had some suggestions on what the problem might be, or if you could advise me of a web site for Superworks that I might be able to find some more information from.
Answer:
Thanks for your enquiry.
It sounds like you have covered a lot of the scenarios I would have checked too. Well done.
There is one more test I would like you to perform. Can you put a piece of paper (approx 10cm x 10cm) near the intake filter and see whether it is sucking air in or blowing air out.
If it appears to be blowing air out then there is an issue with either the head gasket being blown or the valves being stuck. The duty cycle of this air compressor is 25%. This means that the air compressor motor must be stopped, rested, for at least 7 ½ minutes for every 2 ½ minutes use. If this is not adhered to then it can cause the compressor to overheat and blow the fine metal gasket between the head and the block.
There can be a number of other issues that may cause this problem and depending on the age of the compressor it may be one of the following.
- The regulator is not working correctly or has been wound down which would cause a decrease in pressure.
- There may be a blockage in one of the pipes
- It may be a broken piston compression ring
I would like to know the approx age of the compressor if possible. There should be a serial number on the compressor. This would help us to identify the age of the compressor and what batch it came from.
