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Causes and Solutions for Overheating Air Compressors

If compressed air is integral to your company's daily operations, downtime can be catastrophic. The consequences of overheating can be a domino effect, from equipment failure to costly repairs to premature replacements.

What Causes a Compressor to Overheat?

Air compressors can overheat due to several underlying causes.

High Temperature

Excessive heat can impact an air compressor's function by making it work harder. Higher temperatures reduce air pressure output, resulting in inefficient operations and potentially causing damage to internal components like pistons, bearings and valves. 

Ambient Temperature

When the air compressor is hot to touch, evaluate the surrounding temperature and environment it is in. Is your air compressor near windows in the middle of summer? Is it next to other hot equipment? Is it in a small room without insulation? 

All of these are preventable issues to keep the surrounding environment at a lower temperature. Keep your compressor away from windows, especially in hot climates, and do not let it sit next to other operational equipment that can become extremely hot.

Insufficient Oil Levels

Another common cause of overheating is your compressor not having enough oil. Always check the oil levels and change out your compressor's oil on a regular basis. If you don't add or change the oil, the oil can become varnished, causing too much friction, which can lead to overheating or a potential fire.

Inadequate Ventilation

A room that's not ventilated enough for your compressor to cool is another cause of overheating. When air vents get clogged and dirty filters restrict airflow, the internal temperature increases. Avoid overheating by installing the compressor in a room where the unit can cool and vent properly. You can also clean the air vents regularly for smooth airflow. 

Thermal Valve Issues

Problems with the thermal valves can result in overheating. It's best to keep a spare thermal valve to avoid operational downtime. You can also use the spare unit to compare the condition of your current valve and check if it needs replacement. 

Solutions for Overheating Issues

Here are some ways to cool down an overheating air compressor and prevent downtime:

  • Proper ventilation: Ensure adequate airflow around the compressor unit by clearing obstructions. Add fans if more ventilation is needed. 
  • Regular maintenance practices: Check cooling fans, filters and other parts to ensure overall system cleanliness. In dusty environments, change the filter regularly. 
  • Temperature monitoring: Evaluate operating conditions by installing temperature gauges and sensors. These monitoring systems can help you identify overheating before it damages your unit. 
  • Equipment upgrade: Older compressor models may no longer be sufficient to power pneumatic machinery. Get help from the experts if investing in a new model is the best option.

Keep Air Compressors in Top Condition With Chicago Pneumatic

Avoid equipment problems and costly downtime with regular service and preventive maintenance of your equipment. At Chicago Pneumatic, we provide unparalleled service to keep your air compressor in good condition. Contact our team today for your maintenance service. 

Jim Phillis

You ask, we answer. Visit our Expert Corner for every #CPTechThursday to find answers to common industry questions and highlights of CP's high-quality compressors. We love providing our customers with answers to their technical questions.

Jim Phillis , Technical Support Chicago Pneumatic

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to stay up to date on our #CPTechThursday posts.

Please contact [email protected] for additional information. For tech support for any Chicago Pneumatic product, please call us at (877)861-2722, opt 1. Or email us at [email protected] . We look forward to helping.

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