Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Tank not pressurizing

Hi, I've just discovered this site today while searching for an answer to my problem.

I have a generic (Air Ace), 5 peak hp, 26 gallon tank compressor for light duty home use. After starting it yesterday for the first time in a couple of months, the pressure in the tank would not rise above 30 psi. It should go to about 95 psi.

It makes no unusual noises while running, has no problems drawing in air at the filter, and will continue running with no obvious indication that anything is wrong until you notice that it should have shut off by now.

There are no air leaks, at least none that can be heard while the unit is running, and the tank will hold the 30 lbs. for an extended period of time. I have no problem with disassembling the thing, but don't want to have to start finding replacement gaskets after going on wild goose chases.

I am attaching a couple of pictures of the regulator. Any help would be appreciated.

http://xs123.xs.to/xs123/08026/cimg0731301.jpg

http://xs123.xs.to/xs123/08026/cimg0732792.jpg

If there are no obvious leaks,and the tank holds the pressure you are able to attain, then the compressor is not compressing the air enough. This can be due to a leaking head gasket, blocked air intake, or failed compressor piston.

If it's belt driven, a loose belt can cause those symptoms. I once tore down a pump suspecting a bad head gasket only to find out that when it built up to a certain pressure the increased drag caused the belt to slip :o

Chris,
Did you ever figure out what the problem is?

I had the same problem. I fixed it. The problem is the reed valve is getting carbon caked which is preventing it from closing. to fix it remove the the cylinder head. four allen head bolts hold in place. DO NOT PULL OFF THE CYLINDER. just the head and the metal plate directly underneath it. underneath the head is a metal plate holding the reed valve. there are 2 screws on the metal plate holding a half circular metal ring of which there is a thin reed valve. remove the 2 screws take off the plate and reed valve. wash it clean with brakleen or solvent. use a single edge razor to scape off any carbon build up on the large metal plate. use the solvent or brakleen to wash out the carbon inside of the head. you will have to make new gaskets..one thin and one thick. put it back the way you took it apart. BE CAREFUL there are 2 tiny pins that hold another reed valve just above the piston dont lose them. One last thing DRAIN the oil out of the crankcase and replace it with 30 or 40 wt synthetic oil this will prevent the oil from cooking and building up carbon in the reed valve. torque the head bolts evenly. The hardest thing about fixing this is making the 2 gaskets otherwise it should take more than 1.5hrs to fix it. (Once I put back together and fired it up it went right to 115psi then shutoff)

I squirt WD-40 into the intake with filter removed,while the comp. is running to condition the reeds and clean , never a problem with them, try this before disassembling.

Air Ace compressor model TD25B120VL, helper broke off one of the connection ports, need new manifold or whatever it's called. Anyone know if parts are available? THANKS!

I have the same problem. Did you find parts?