Jusjay Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I'm hoping someone can help me...I have a cheap ish compressor which worked really well up until I turned it on today and found that there is a slight gurgling sound, no pressure is building up and no air coming out. The water trap is empty and on tight, the top is all tight also. It is similar to the one pictured. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little-cars Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Hi, looks like and AS-18 to me. Is the motor running and piston moving up and down ? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 I'm not sure, it sounds like it did before, plus a bit of gurgling if that makes sense? Nothing has happened to it that I'm aware of either and I'm hoping it is fixable! lol Thanks, Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little-cars Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 If there is no air coming out and the motor is running, sounds like something broken inside. If it's within the warranty period, then I'd get in touch with the supplier. If not, it's probably worth taking the front off to see if you can see anything broken around the drive shaft or piston. Some spares for these are available, but they are cheap, so it's not worth spending a fortune to get it working. Paul 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Thank you Paul. I'll take the front off this weekend and have a look and post any results, unfortunately working all weekend so it might be a few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 So took the end off and the piston seems fine and moves as it should. Not managed to get the other end off yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little-cars Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Sounds like it's the motor or connection to the piston. Be careful taking it apart, see if you can find a parts diagram. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Check the motor start capacitor,if its gone or a connection broken the motor will just hum and not kick in, not sure about gurgling sound though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 Cheers Colin. Is that an easy fix? I'm pretty competent at soldering lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaurieS Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 (edited) In my experience with compressors Jus you cannot win. These things come from China and the likelihood of getting spares is minus nil that is if you can identify the problem. By the time you have paid, if you can get spares, and the postage it is not worth trying. I would not play with these things as when they go wrong they can be lethal. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Airbrush-Compressor-AS18-2-Oil-free-/131015709681?hash=item1e812513f1:g:BmoAAOSwQPlV89k3 This is your best bet and 12 months warranty. £47:40. Sorry to be such a pessimist but the above is the practical solution and in financial terms the best. Laurie Edited January 17, 2016 by LaurieS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Cheers Laurie I appreciate the reply and agree with you too. That link is the one I have and what I've been looking at again but was hoping there might be a fix as slightly skint after buying a house... Doh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 If it is a capacitor, as it was on mine when I had one, then it's only a few pounds to repair. To be honest I then purchased a Sparmax and have never looked back, still have the AS-18 as a back up though, and with the quality of the Sparmax would like to think I'll never need it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 I'll have to have a look and see if there's anything that might be loose etc then Colin,cheers.i quote enjoy fixing things myself also so this is the preferred option just the cost is a bonus! This is what else I have been looking at http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=130861404616&alt=web Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubster72 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Having replaced my AS 186 compressor with one from a fridge freezer, I've still got the guts of the old one. The things to consider are: If the motor runs, but no pressure builds, then you've got a problem with the check valve. In the photo, I've removed the heat sink & the valve is the white bit. It's just a cheap nylon affair that gets pushed upwards as the piston forces air against it. If the valve isn't working, all the air will be lost through the cooling vents in the body of the compressor housing. Test to see the movement of the valve by gently pressing it from under the plate. If the motor doesn't run, then check the components in the circuit. Obviously the power switch first, then the condenser & the pressure cut-off valve. If you think it's either the white pressure check valve or the condenser, I can let you have them as I don't use them in my current setup. Hope this helps Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Hi Patrick thanks for your response. The white valve, should it move easily? Mine doesn't move very much so maybe it's that if it should move better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubster72 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Hi Patrick thanks for your response. The white valve, should it move easily? Mine doesn't move very much so maybe it's that if it should move better? No, it should be quite difficult to move. I think that in operation it probably only raises up by 1 millimetre or so. The valve on mine is quite stiff, so yours sounds ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 hmm sounds like we've ruled that one out then, thanks I can't tell if the thing sounds different other than a noise which i thought sounded like gurgling but now im not so sure. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubster72 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 It's the gurgling noise that's got me wondering too! Usually we associate that kind of sound with water, but in certain circumstances it could apply to airflow as well. If the motor runs, I would remove the heatsink to reveal the plate beneath, as seen in the photo I posted earlier. Then I'd use the bolts to secure the plate without the heatsink. Run the compressor & see if air is passing through the check valve. If it isn't, then the problem is definitely that valve. If it is, then there must be a leak somewhere along the chain, perhaps in the pressure regulator. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 The heatsink being the black plate right? (having a moment as at work lol) This is a tasking for tomorrow then I shall post back results. Thanks for all your help so far mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubster72 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 No the heatsink is the bit at the top with the fins - looks like half of a motorcycle engine! No worries mate, I'd love to get this one solved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Ah gotcha Same here, and I appreciate your help with it! tomorrow will be play day as I'm at work till 11 tonight but all I want to do is try the plate theory haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) Right plate attached and there is air passing through. Edit - its working! I'm wondering what it was but maybe the valve was tight or something but it is building pressure agaiN! Thank you for your help Edited January 18, 2016 by Jusjay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 Annnnnnnd it's not working again. Damn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubster72 Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 It's sounding more & more like the valve is sticking. The flow of air from the piston isn't that strong & if the valve sticks all the air will be lost through the cooling vents. Here's a way to check this. Cover all but one of the vents with tape. Run the compressor & put a fingertip over the open vent. If you can feel air escaping, then the valve is sticking. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusjay Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 It's sounding more & more like the valve is sticking. The flow of air from the piston isn't that strong & if the valve sticks all the air will be lost through the cooling vents. Here's a way to check this. Cover all but one of the vents with tape. Run the compressor & put a fingertip over the open vent. If you can feel air escaping, then the valve is sticking. The vents being the small holes surrounding the valve? I sometimes works but takes a while to kick in so to speak. I'll test those out tomorrow morning, thanks mate. We will get this solved! (Hopefully! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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