[Howtodo?]

Help. Please.

Suddenly, and without prior issues (except that tank had slow pressure leak, but no audible air discharge), the motor (Coleman Powermate 5HP/27 Gal. Model #200-2231) became noisy, runs rough and trips circuit breaker after 15 - 20 seconds or so.

I removed the cylinder head. Cylinder sleeve has no scratches and piston appears intact. If this were a car engine I would describe the sound as if there was a misfiring cylinder (knocking).

I should add that this compressor has had very little use over 10+ years of ownership, has never before tripped the breaker and there is no other load on the circuit.

This is the limit of my ability to deal with problem. Any and all comments (except on my ignorance) are greatly appreciated.

 

[joed]

Does the motor run fine with the belt off?
How does the compressor feel when turned by hand? Is there slack when rotated back and forth? Is there oil in the compressor?

 

[randyhenke]

By noisy do you mean the motor hums or do you mean it's sounds like a bad bearing?

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[Howtodo?]

Thank you, joed ~ This model is direct drive and maintenance free.

 

[Howtodo?]

By noisy do you mean the motor hums or do you mean it's sounds like a bad bearing?

Thank you, randyhenke ~ Given this choice, I would describe the sound as bad bearing. The motor turns and 'knocks' rhythmically until it trips the breaker. It is rated @15 amps and is on a 20 amp circuit so electrical supply is not the issue.

If it is a bad bearing, would the piston have 'scored' the piston sleeve?

 

[joed]

Bearings usually whine or growl when bad. Knocking would send me toward a bad connecting rod or valve.

 

[randyhenke]

Bearings usually whine or growl when bad. Knocking would send me toward a bad connecting rod or valve.

Agree

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[Howtodo?]

Bearings usually whine or growl when bad. Knocking would send me toward a bad connecting rod or valve.

Agree

My sincere thanks to both of you for your kind responses.

Any advice on where to find instruction for troubleshooting bad connecting rod or valve?

HTD?

 

[Oso954]

There is an eccentric hub on the motor shaft. There is either a bearing or bushing on it that the connecting rod attaches to.

I would look at the rod to bushing or the bushing to hub connections for excessive play.

 

[al_smelter]

It's almost certainly a rod. I had one of those pumps literally explode and send shrapnel all over my garage. Was standing right next to it; explosion went to either side of me and missed me altogether. I did, however have to change my pants.

Here is the parts manual for it:

http://www.arkansas-ope.com/2002231C.pdf

Those oilless compressors are notorious for tossing rod bearings. Most times they are just throwaways. If it's fairly new and the receiver is worth it (large enough to warrant), you might retrofit another, or a better/different compressor pump to the tank.

 

[randyhenke]

Drain your oil and use a coffee filter to run the oil through if you see metal flakes/shavings you know something's bad and it's time to look for a rebuild kit.

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