How to Fix an Overheating Air Compressor?

When an air compressor's performance degrades, the cause is frequently related to heating concerns. Even with compressors that might have functioned for many more years, overheating is one of the most common reasons for failure. So, what causes the compressor to overheat in the first place?

Internal variables, environmental conditions, or combinations might result in an overheated air compressor. The air becomes hot at specific points in the system cycle as a result of the activities involved, but it quickly cools before concluding. If, on the other hand, the air becomes too hot for the compressor to handle, there is a problem with the machine.

Why do air compressors overheat and shut down?

When an air compressor overheats, it's usually due to problems with suction or discharge pressure that aren't consistent. Alternatively, the issue could be caused by a lack of ventilation, eroded oil, or any number of other issues related to machine wear and tear.

Inadequate Cooler Space

If the air compressor is located in a heated room, the machine may have a harder time regulating the incoming air to ideal degrees of coolness. If the machine is in a room with poor ventilation, for example, the heat will affect the internal processes, resulting in warmer, less effective air at the end-points of various pneumatic activities. Internal moisture and condensation could build up as a result of the heat, which could significantly affect other important compressor functions.

Inadequate Room for Compressor to Properly Vent

Another concern closely related to the temperature that surrounds an air compressor is the amount of available ventilation. Can the machine sufficiently ventilate or are the vents blocked or cramped? If the placement of the machine is such that the vents are faced directly against a wall, the air compressor should be turned or possibly moved to another area. By extension, if the room where the air compressor is lacks sufficient ventilation, the stuffiness and warmth of the interior air could rob the machine of needed coolness.

Low compressor oil levels quickly lead to overheating

During operation, compressors emit trace amounts of oil. The machine will not have proper flow through the cooler if the oil level is too low. As a result, it's prone to overheating. At least once a week, check your air compressor oil to ensure that it is at the proper level. Proper oil check procedures are detailed in the manufacturer's manual. During preventive maintenance visits, which are usually every 3-6 months, our technicians top off the oil level.

Excessive heat lowers the viscosity of the oil, making proper lubrication difficult. Because oil can absorb a lot of heat, the smell of burnt oil indicates that the oil quality is poor and it's no longer doing its job. Your compressor may sound a little more squeaky than usual. At least once a year, drain and replace the oil in your air compressor. Generally, reciprocating compressors should have their oil changed every 500 to 1,000 hours.  Rotary screw compressors recommend changing the oil every 2,000 to 8,000 hours of operation, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Frequency of Use

Of course, the amount of wear and tear that an air compressor endures is also liable to affect its ability to operate at desired temperatures on an ongoing basis. If the compressor is old and used every day, heating issues could be an inevitable factor in your continued operation of the machine and its various peripheral components.

Clogged coolers 

The coolers (or radiators) may be dirty if the compressor operating temperature is too high. Whether it's dust from the shop floor or pollen, dirt accumulates inside the cooler (for those who may have ventilation from outside). Place a drop light behind the cooler to see if any of the openings have been impacted by dirt. To get your machine back up and running, blow the cooler out in the opposite direction of the air path.

If the problem has continued beyond that, the cooler may need to be removed and steam cleaned. Our service technicians clean the cooler as part of routine maintenance. It's best to deal with this at least once a quarter. Moisture can also build up in the airlines of clogged coolers. This is not good news. When condensate forms and has nowhere to go, it can cause problems for air compressors.

What are the signs that my Air Compressors are Overheating?

When your compressor starts acting unusual, it's a good idea to investigate the issues as soon as possible; quickly identifying the issues will prevent unnecessary downtime or future production loss, provided that any necessary maintenance or repairs are performed. But how can you tell if the issue is due to overheating? The following are some of the most common signs of a compressor that has overheated:

The compressor won’t start. Overheating could be the cause of your compressor stalling during startup – or worse, not turning on at all. Other signs include the compressor requiring longer rest periods between cycles and the compressor reaching peak operation at a much slower rate.

The compressor is making a noise. Is your compressor making creaking and crackling noises, or do you smell burnt oil? This could indicate that the internal components of the compressor aren't properly lubricated. Because lubrication acts as a coolant, little to no lubricant equals the risk of overheating.

Tips to Prevent Your Air Compressor From Overheating

Choose genuine parts

Think of the human body with its vital organs. We are healthy and fit if we are in good condition. However, if one of our organs fails, our lives could be jeopardized. Each component of your compressor is crucial to its overall performance, ensuring that you get the reliability, long life, and energy efficiency that you expect. While original parts may appear to be more expensive at first, they will prove to be more cost-effective in the long run and provide complete peace of mind. As a result, each part and lubricant is expertly designed, manufactured, and tested to the highest standards. That’s why using non-genuine replacement parts puts your entire air system at risk.

Improve Internal and External Ventilation

Check the vents on your compressor to make sure they're not only clean but also the right size for the machine's needs. You should also make sure that the compressor room is properly ventilated; if it isn't, consider moving your compressor to a more suitable location. These checks should be performed regularly!

Inspect Oil and Lubrication Levels

Lubrication acts as a coolant, so keep an eye on the oil and lubricant levels in your compressor. Furthermore, if the oil is thin or appears to be watery, the heat level may be too high.

Routine Maintenance

Check and clean your machine regularly. Schedule it for a time and date when you won't be disrupting your facility's operations. Employ a reputable and licensed service provider to inspect and adjust your air compressor regularly.

When to call All Air Compressor?

If you suspect that your compressor is overheating, please contact us right away. The longer you wait, the more likely your compressor will continue to overheat, resulting in costly and time-consuming consequences.

Contact us, your friendly All Air Compressors Specialists, and one of our service representatives will investigate the problem.