Which Parts are Checked and Replaced During Routine Maintenance on my Air Compressor?
Routine maintenance on an air compressor is vital to ensuring your unit is performing to its full potential. There are simple checks and inspections you can do daily, weekly and monthly to keep your compressor running efficiently and to avoid downtime.
The following list is a general guide on how to regularly check and maintain an air compressor. Note: Maintenance schedules can vary from one compressor to the next depending on ambient temperature, usage, type (piston vs. rotary screw), and other factors. Before performing any maintenance on your compressor, always read your operator’s manual first. Here is a common breakdown of routine maintenance on an air compressor.
Daily
- Check pump oil for level & contamination
- Drain water in tank
- Check for vibration
- Inspect unit for air leaks
- Inspect belts
Weekly
- Check and replace air filter when needed
- Check safety valves
- Clean external parts of compressor and motor to ensure proper cooling
- Inspect the intake vents for debris or blockage
Monthly
- Check belt tension & tighten if needed
- Check and tighten all bolts
- Inspect all connections for leaks
3-5 Months
- Service the pump or engine (around 200 hours)
- Change oil – May need to be done more or less frequently depending on conditions & use
- Clean crankcase and screen if needed (sludge buildup)
Regularly inspecting vital parts on your air compressor can help keep your unit running and will help you identify problems before they happen. If you don’t schedule time for maintenance, your equipment will schedule it for you.
Service kits are a good way to keep track of the scheduled maintenance of the compressor. Many manufacturers have put all of the parts you would need for specific intervals based on hours of run time. Of course using spares on hand will also be helpful to reduce down time.
Not sure what spares to have on hand? Many manufacturers give a suggested list in the operators manual. We have seen too many times where down time was caused by a relatively inexpensive part malfunction, where nobody bothered to just have one sitting in maintenance. In effect causing a complete shutdown over a 50, 100, 200 dollar part.
