Porter Cable Compressor only goes to 40 psi

[Baxter Smith]

After reading Jeff Strickler's recent thread about his compressor and not wanting to hijack his, I decided to ask a question I have had for a few weeks.
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My compressor was running well, then suddenly won't go above 40 psi but keeps right on running. I am assuming there is a leak somewhere. Kind of sounds like it when you stand back from it aways. Up close its just too noisy to tell. A little research on the web said that the pancake compressors weren't worth fixing considering the cost new vs the labor and parts bill of taking it somewhere.
Charles Thomas mentioned in Randys thread that a molded gasket frequently goes bad between the head and block. I don't mind taking the thing apart even if I can't get it back together.:) I had just about written it off anyway. Anyone know the cost of the part or where else to look? Thanks in advance!

[David Prince]

I found this:

IF you can hear air escaping from some place it is most likely a bad hose or connection. If there is no hissing sound then most likely the leak is internal. The most common reason a compressor will continuously run is from a worn out piston and cylinder. If this is the case the piston and cylinder will need to be replaced. The piston and cylinder are sold as an assembly in the connecting rod kit. The connecting rod kit is part #KK-4964 and is available from http://ereplacementparts.com (http://ereplacementparts.com/).

[Dan Friedrichs]

I had a Bostitch pancake that suddenly wouldn't go above 85psi. I replaced the gasket ($5 plus $9 shipping....) twice, and was never able to get it to work. These things are just garbage. I finally gave up - and would recommend you do the same.

[Baxter Smith]

I found this:

IF you can hear air escaping from some place it is most likely a bad hose or connection. If there is no hissing sound then most likely the leak is internal. The most common reason a compressor will continuously run is from a worn out piston and cylinder. If this is the case the piston and cylinder will need to be replaced. The piston and cylinder are sold as an assembly in the connecting rod kit. The connecting rod kit is part #KK-4964 and is available from http://ereplacementparts.com (http://ereplacementparts.com/).
Thanks David, I will look up the partnumbers from the owners manual tomorrow and see about the price.

I had a Bostitch pancake that suddenly wouldn't go above 85psi. I replaced the gasket ($5 plus $9 shipping....) twice, and was never able to get it to work. These things are just garbage. I finally gave up - and would recommend you do the same.
Thanks Dan. I bought the compressor and and two nail guns new in the box on Craigslist for 100 bucks a year ago. It doesn't owe me anything so I should probably quit while I'm ahead since I still have the two guns.

[Myk Rian]

I had a Bostitch pancake that suddenly wouldn't go above 85psi. I replaced the gasket ($5 plus $9 shipping....) twice, and was never able to get it to work. These things are just garbage. I finally gave up - and would recommend you do the same.

Gaskets may not be the answer. Many small compressors use reed valves. They get gummed up and won't seal. My HF compressor got something stuck in the reeds, and after cleaning them, making new gaskets and putting it all back together, it works better than new.

You can get gasket material at auto supply stores.

[Jacob Mac]

Gaskets may not be the answer. Many small compressors use reed valves. They get gummed up and won't seal. My HF compressor got something stuck in the reeds, and after cleaning them, making new gaskets and putting it all back together, it works better than new.

You can get gasket material at auto supply stores.

I have an old Bostich and I had lots of problems with the reed valve. I could not figure out what the problem was, but my dad, who is an awesome mechanic, fixed it and later told me what he did.

[Jerome Hanby]

I found this:

IF you can hear air escaping from some place it is most likely a bad hose or connection. If there is no hissing sound then most likely the leak is internal. The most common reason a compressor will continuously run is from a worn out piston and cylinder. If this is the case the piston and cylinder will need to be replaced. The piston and cylinder are sold as an assembly in the connecting rod kit. The connecting rod kit is part #KK-4964 and is available from http://ereplacementparts.com (http://ereplacementparts.com/).

I looked that part up and at $45 or so, it's not a back breaker. Do the parts covered by this kit fail often enough that having a kit handy in advance is worthwhile? My compressor gets a day or less of operation every few months if that makes a difference...

[Jamie Buxton]

Soapy water is a good way to see many air leaks. The leak will blow bubbles.

[C Scott McDonald]

Soapy water is a good way to see many air leaks. The leak will blow bubbles.
Theres a good idea!

I have a Bostich pancake that leaked air all the time. Turned out it was the case of the hose pressure regulator was leaking. I would tighten it up and it would go away for a while. Finally the entire face of the regulator blew off!!! Not sure if you have ever seen a startled cat where they are running in place because they don't have any traction but that was me!

As a long shot with no tank pressure try to pull the emergancy blew off and re-seat it a few times to make sure it it is closing correctly.

Scott

Edit: Sorry Ken didn't mean any offense.

[ray hampton]

Soapy water is a good way to see many air leaks. The leak will blow bubbles.



soapy water will not work on all connections because it run off
BUT straight soap do not run so easy
soap will