Engine: 10 Air Compressor Engine Faults that you can rectify at your own

A Diesel Engine is widely used in automobiles as well as Portable Air Compressor also. So, all engineering and compressed air concerned must know how the diesel engines work?

Diesel Mechanic can easily rectify any problems with the diesel engine but you can’t. Hence I would like to share information on troubleshooting and rectification of an engine with you.

Generally, engines manufactured by Cummins or CAT Engines (caterpillar) are well known for their operational robustness. But it’s not 100% possible that your engine will run trouble-free.

Many times Screw Air Compressor is used in very remote areas, hence, air compressor maintenance due to engine fault is a headache for engineers.

So, it is handy to know some common faults and the troubleshooting procedures. I tried to cover most of the engine faults, I faced, which will help you in diagnosis and rectification.

engine repairing

So, Troubleshooting and Rectification of an Engine is as below

  • Engine Will Not Start

A) Fuel- has at least six inches high in the tank and ensures that the air breather is open to avoid air-lock.

B) Engine is too cool. Try to warm the engine or wait for an improvement in weather conditions.

C) Dirty fuel oil filters. Clean the fuel filter or replace it if necessary.

D) Cranking is too slow, run down the battery. Re-charge the battery, tighten loose connections and check the key switch, and solenoid relay.

E) Minimum speed adjusting screw-on governor may be screwed out too far. Set it as per requirement.

  • Engine Starts but Stalls As Receiver Pressure Builds Up

A) Severe cold weather may make it necessary to open the service valve.

  • Engine Starts and Receiver Pressure Builds But Machine Will Not Slow Down or Unload

A) Check the drain cock on the control unit is closed.

B) Throttle controller pipe leaking or clogged. Clean if clogged and replace/repair if leaking.

  • Engine Function Properly But Compressor Does Not Load Up or Only Partially Loads Up

A) Butterfly Valve Not Open. Take necessary action for the free movement of the butterfly valve.

B) Air cleaner elements are clogged or dirty. Clean thoroughly or replace.

  • Speed Low during Start-Up

A) Battery improper. Check electrolyte level and specific gravity and recharge.

B) Lose wiring connection. Inspect and tighten.

  • Diesel Engine Shut Down Due To Insufficient Cooling

A) The low water level is an indicator. Improve the water level by adding water.

B) Radiator clogged. Clean it immediately.

C) Dirt in fins. Blow out the air in the reverse direction to the flow of air.

D) Faulty thermostat. Remove the fault as per instructions of the manufacturer.

E) Operating pressure is above the maximum allowable. Discharge the pressure and keep it at the limit.

F) Engine fan belt too loose. Adjust the tension of belts as per requirement.

  • Diesel Engine Shut Down Due To Low Engine Oil Pressure Or No Oil Pressure Shown On Gauge

A) Oil level in the crankcase is low. Top up as required.

B) Compressor level setting is wrong. Level the compressor.

C) If the engine running but no oil pressure is shown on a gauge, stop the engine and check the oil pressure gauge on some known pressure. Check oil filter element for clogging. Replace if required.

D) Check the oil pump and screen. Take rectification action as per requirement.

E) Incorrect engine oil, oil line, or oil pump screen can clog if incorrect oil grade is used. Use proper lubrication oil as per the instruction of the manufacturer.

  • Discharge Air Contains Excessive Lube Oil

A) Oil line from the separator to air-end blocked. Clean choke in the return line.

B) If separated oil is returning to intake in the proper way, it is possible that oil separator fiberglass wool discs need replacement. Check the separator shell for a leak and rectify it, it is required.

C) Oil level in the air/oil receiver is too high. Correct the oil level as required, up to the middle in a visual indicator.

  • Compressor Rotates In Reverse Direction When Shutdown with Pressure in the Receiver

A) Discharge valve malfunctioning. Remove discharge valve. Inspect and rectify.

B) Oil check valve malfunctioning. Dismantle the oil check valve and inspect and repair.

  • Safety Valve Blows

A) Controller not functioning. Check control filter, and strainer. Clean and adjust rotation per minute (RPM).

B) Unloader transformer adjusted at higher pressure, adjust to the proper pressure setting.

C) Butterfly valve not closing properly. Inspect and take necessary action.

D) Safety valve defective. Inspect and adjust, if necessary replace. The safety valve is to be set at 10% higher pressure than the maximum unloading pressure.

Besides this information, you are suggested to read something more from below Engineering Books

So, Here you find the Best Engineering Resources for further details

Further Recommended Reading Troubleshooting and Repair of Diesel Engines and Troubleshooting and Repairing Engines

To get the more details about the topic, I further recommend reading

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