Can't put air in tires -- is it me or the air compressor?

[FastCarFan]

I recently bought a Craftsman air compressor (see photo below).



It has a 1-hp motor & a 2-gallon tank. The CFM @ 90 psi is 2.4.

I realize this is a very basic compressor. I bought it (for $99.99) because it seemed to be well constructed & I only want it for 1 purpose -- to put air in my car tires. I have no need to run air tools.

Here is the problem...it will not put air in my tires. I do not hear any leaks in the air hose or from the air chuck. When I put the chuck on the tire it sounds/seems like it is working. However, after putting the chuck on the valve stem for up to 1 minute or more, the air pressure has only gone up 1-2 lbs. or, if it was already around 32 lbs., it has not gone up at all.

The tank has about 115 lbs. of pressure & the regulator valve is up to 115 lbs.

I checked the 40 product reviews on the Sears Website & they were mostly very positive -- a 4.3 (out of 5) overall rating. However, there was one that said the following: "For some reason it would only pump 20-25 lbs...I was unable to fill a wheel-barrow tire, which only required 35 lbs."

That sounds exactly like my problem. The guy who posted the review exchanged it for another, larger unit.

Am I doing something wrong? I have never owned an air compressor before & I may not be doing something correctly.

Would a larger air tank resolve my problem? I could purchase an auxiliary tank, which would be cheaper than buying a new compressor. If so, how large of a tank do I need.

Anything else you can think of that might be causing the problem?

Thanks for your advice.

[competentone]

Originally Posted by FastCarFan

The tank has about 115 lbs. of pressure & the regulator valve is up to 115 lbs.

It sounds like it's a faulty regulator valve and/or pressure gauge. You may want to try NOT relying on any setting there are on the regulator/gauge and just open it completely for maximum pressure.

[Rot 911]

First off did you read the instructions? Second have you adjusted the air pressure output regulator? Should be a knob that as you turn it the pressure gauge to the hose shows an increase in pressure. Sometimes the air chucks that come with those kits are crappy and just don't work right.

[FastCarFan]

Yes, I have read the instructions, as well as the "Troubleshooting Guide" in the manual.

It seems to be working correctly (other than not putting air in my tires). I turn the compressor on, the motor runs for 30-45 seconds & I can see from the pressure gauge on the tank that it is filling the tank with air.

As for the regulator valve, I am opening it up all of the way. The regulator gauge reads 115 lbs., same as the tank gauge.

Could the problem be the air chuck?

[rick-l]

When you put that blower nozzle on the end of the hose and open the valve (squeeze the trigger) what happens?

[john walker's workshop]

if you have those chrome valve stem decorative sleeves, they tend to keep the air nozzle from going down far enough to compress the air valve.

[TerryH]

Sounds like there's history of unit failures. Probably the regulator. Take it back.

[FastCarFan]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I will try the blower nozzle, although probably not until tomorrow. I have some things I need to do tonight & I have not assembled the blower nozzle on the fitting yet.

I am not sure the blower nozzle will answer the question though. I think I am getting some air through the chuck, but not enough. I am afraid the blower nozzle will shoot air but I will not be able to determine how much air.

I do not have the chrome valve stems, so that is not the problem. As I said, it seems to be working -- I hear a "pop" when I take the chuck off the valve stem. But I do not hear much air at all going into the tire.

I am guessing it is the regulator. It doesn't seem to be letting enough air pressure out of the tank.

I will probably end up taking it back. I might exchange it for another because I really do like the unit. It seems to be well made (other than the regulator, perhaps!) & it is very compact. If I can get one the works, it will be perfect for my needs. If a second one does not work, I will try something else.

Thanks again everyone. As always, I appreciate the advice.

[tdatk]

Doug,
Funny, My neighbor came over yesterday with the exact same problem with the exact same Crapsman setup. It was the air chuck that came with the kit. I brought my chuck over and everything was fine. He took his back to Sears to replace it. My money is on the air chuck.

[FastCarFan]

Tim,

That is interesting. Thanks. I will "check out the chuck".

[FastCarFan]

As a follow-up to my posting, today I finally got around to going back to Sears Hardware to replace my tire chuck. They did not even ask to see my receipt to show that it was in warranty. Instead they gave me a better chuck for no cost.

I tried it out & it works great.

So thanks for all of your help. And thank you to Tim in particular.