SEARS Air compressor problem

Oh Haha · 03-21-2010, 05:06 PM

I think my a/c crapped today. I used it to blow out a filter, had it running while doing this but found it was not refilling the tank.

I drained the water(haven't done that in a while) but it didn't make any difference.

The piston looks ok but the "cylinder" looks scored. From what, I don't know. I am assuming that it has no compression.

Can these be rebuilt?

I know these are simple creatures but I am not up on fixing them as I 've never had the need.

Thanks,

mattdavis11 · 03-21-2010, 05:09 PM

I assume this is a Craftsman oilless, if so, yes they can, the parts are readily available at sears.

Oh Haha · 03-21-2010, 05:11 PM

Yep, Craftsman. Thanks Matt!!

I'll stop by SEARS tomorrow.

mattdavis11 · 03-21-2010, 05:17 PM

Write down the model number and take it with you, otherwise you may not get far. I think you can order what you need online too. If memory serves, it's a leather type of piston ring that goes then the piston wobbles in the cylinder and ruins it, sometimes.

fastfredracing · 03-21-2010, 05:20 PM

I dont know about oil less, but my larger craftsman took a crap a couple of summers ago. I was outside sandlasting, and could not hear the rod knock. All of a sudden I was out of air. When I walked backed into the shop, I saw a smokey,oily mess of a connecting rod sticking out the side of the case.
I bought a complete replacement pump for something like $200.00. Direct through sears. had it in a couple of days. I am pretty sure they sell all replacement parts for these as well.

cornernfool · cornernfool's Garage

There is a small filter on top of the head that clogs continuesly. I built an adaptor and run a small K&N filter inplace of it. I would check the reed valves in the head seeing it quit working so fast, may be bent, broken or missing.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornernfool

There is a small filter on top of the head that clogs continuesly. I built an adaptor and run a small K&N filter inplace of it. I would check the reed valves in the head seeing it quit working so fast, may be bent, broken or missing.

Pics please.

Oh Haha · 03-22-2010, 02:53 PM

Well, the parts are no longer available. It figures.

Any online sources you guys have used?

TimT · 03-22-2010, 03:01 PM

Probably one of the reed valves broke..

The Craftsman compressor is probably a re-branded DeVilbiss. Try and find a supplier for Devilbiss compressors

Oh Haha · 03-22-2010, 05:36 PM

I took it apart again tonight to see if I could find anything broken but didn't.

Do these pics give any clues as to what I may need to rebuild? Thanks again,guys. I really appreciate all the help.

cornernfool · cornernfool's Garage

The flower peddle looking things on the intake side of the head are the reed valves. They should be tight against the head to seal. If they are drooping away from the head, they can't seal. It is not recomended, but I have seen it done plenty to just flip the reed over so it seals again.

The bore looks rough in the picture, but may be able to hone it. If you dont have a hone, try scothbrite and wd-40 or oil. Go in a circular motion around the bore, not up and down.

The piston looks like its using a leather cup for a ring or seal. Clean it as best you can without tearing it. Soak it in some oil and see how tight it fits in the cylinder. If still loose you might try dot 4 brake fluid, it will swell rubber, not sure what it will do to the leather.

While this is surely a patch job, it may hold you until you figure your next purchase. Good luck, Mike.

Oh Haha · 03-23-2010, 02:51 AM

Thanks!!
I 'll mess around with this one untilI can get another.My FIL has 3 or 4 in his barn so finding a used replacement won't be difficult.

rick-l · 03-23-2010, 06:40 AM

Is there also a check valve where the outlet goes into the tank? Does that work?

Oh Haha · 03-23-2010, 02:27 PM

My FIL had a NIB compressor that I bought at a great price today. It's only 2hp versus the 3hp of my SEARS but it will work just fine for what I do.

It's an oiled version so i would think that it would be better.

I will still try to get the old girl going again, though. I might give it to my brother as he doesn't have one.

Oh Haha · 04-10-2010, 08:33 AM

I connected my SEARS 35 gallon tank to the new compressor so I have plenty of capacity now.

mattdavis11 · 09:09 AM

The parts aren't available now, damn. I apologize. There's a tank going two stage here. See if you can't recondition the piston ring, it's leather. Needs foot oil will do, do a leak down on the valves, clean the plates. If they hold liquid, they pass.

Oh Haha · 04-10-2010, 11:11 AM

Actually, I found the piston/con rod online but decided to just combine the 2 units anyway.

I saved the case so if I want to rebuild it I can.

Of course, I started my push mower for the first time this year and it threw the rod out the side so THAT is my next purchase.

I can't win.

legion · 04-10-2010, 04:44 PM

I'm never buying another Sears product for major tools. I've had an air compressor and a jack crap out on me, both exactly one month over warranty.

My grandfather worked for Sears for 37 years. They aren't the same company they once were.

TimT · 04-10-2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

The parts aren't available now

Hmmm yes they are... as I mentioned earlier... They may not be available from Sears... but you can buy parts from DeVilbiss or a commercial compressor supplier

I recently rebuilt the compressor that I have in my car trailer..Purchased from Sears about 15 years ago.. I sourced the piston/cylinder, and reed valve assembly from a local compressor supplier.. he had the parts on the shelf... DeVilbiss has made Sear (oilless)compressors for years