Thread: Air Compressor Desicant

Originally Posted by Red90

What are you using to turn it that is damaging it?

A 6 sided 17mm socket - it is all crap cast metal so cannot handle much torque before starting to deform.

Maybe get a decent socket set? A socket should never deform the head of the fastener.

Originally Posted by Red90

Maybe get a decent socket set? A cocker should never deform the head of the fastener.

Hmmm it is a decent socket set.

Ok - couldn't leave well enough alone .

Result:
IMG_20190303_135847.jpg
The head of the exhaust valve.

IMG_20190303_135919.jpg

The remainder of the exhaust valve.

Is is locked in there rock solid.

Garry

Originally Posted by garrycol

Ok - couldn't leave well enough alone .

Is is locked in there rock solid.

If it hasn't moved, you might just get away with leaving it as it is.

Originally Posted by Grappler

I bought the upgraded kit from 4x4 airseals to include the exhhaust valve kit
It came with a printed leaflet advising not to use the kit unless the old valve had failed. The risk of damage outweighs a routine valve changeout and the exhaust valves rarely fail

My experience today shows why it may not be a good move to play with the exhaust valve - however this is the one area of the compressor that is prone to internal corrosion. I googled this and it is clearly a major issue with these compressors, time and time again I found instances where the pics were almost exactly the same as mine.

When air goes through the desiccant it is dehumidified and then into the suspension system. To get rid of the moisture in the desiccant when the system is lowered or needs to loose pressure the "dry" air goes back into the desiccant chamber collects some of the moisture from the beads heads and around the closed exhaust valve and out the exhaust port - so in the area around the top of the piston head is constantly in humid air - hence the corrosion problem that I experienced today - also the exhaust valve can stick open ever so slightly with the corrosion leaking air out internally to the exhaust port so making the compressor work harder to get to the required pressure.

So on one hand there is a danger in checking the exhaust valve but on the other it could be leaking air and you may not know it.

Garry

Originally Posted by BradC

If it hasn't moved, you might just get away with leaving it as it is.

No, it is leaking air when the compressor is running.

Originally Posted by garrycol

No, it is leaking air when the compressor is running.

Bugger. My next move would require access to a mill and some fairly concentrated nitric acid. Might be easier to replace it.