[arm79]

It was about 6 months ago Dad called me and said his compressor was constantly cycling. When the motor stopped it would leak air for 30 to 60 sec or more and either stop or cycle some more. It had been playing up for a while and I figured it was either the pressure switch or maybe the check valve.

His compressor was very similar to the one in the vid. Commercial quality, 60L tank, big single belt driven cylinder, I think it ran at 145psi. Was about 20 to 22 years old at the time.

Found the pressure switch wasn't sealing properly and there was a leak from the regulator hoses. But was shocked to find a pinhole leak in the bottom of the tank. All the rusty water on the ground would say it had been leaking for a while.

Dad didn't give it alot of maintenance... If at all.

Undid the drain plug and nothing came out, even though I could hear water inside. Stuck a wire into the drain port and it was covered over by rust, all nice and crunchy. Removed a plug from the top and stuck a stick down and all I could feel and hear was rust crunching around.

Figured it was time for a new one. The very humid air here wouldn't have helped. But we count ourselves very lucky. This pin pr!ck hole could have been an explosion like this given what the inside of the tank felt like. Maybe it was the long time constant short leak after the compressor stopped that prevented a similar fate.

Incidentally, since the pump and motor were still in great condition and worth quite a chunk of cash, I put it up for sale as a pump and motor for $250. People were all over it like sh*t on a shoe. All focused on the $900 compressor for $250, even though I told them the tank was crap and not to be trusted they still wanted it.

The eventual buyer drove over an hour to collect it. Told him it was leaky and rusty. He said he was going to weld it up and use it.

Can only hope the poor b@stard is still alive.