ELGi’s GUIDE TO PREPARING YOUR PORTABLE COMPRESSOR FOR SPRING

Spring is here! After a long winter, we could all use some sunshine and longer days. With spring, there’s pollen and warmer temperatures. Both of which air compressors are not too fond of. Here are a few things to check to keep your portable compressor running smoothly and avoid costly downtime:

Check your air entry points. You don’t want them to clog. Clogging will affect compressed air output and prevent air from properly flowing through and keeping your compressor cool.
Check any plastic tubing that may have cracked during freezing temperatures.
Check your engine and compressor oil. You want to check your oil level on a regular basis. If the oil gets low, it can cause the air compressor’s temperature to rise and cause your air compressor to overheat and shut down. ONLY USE COMPRESSOR OIL! Rotair AL-0025
Check your cooler for fouling from pollen, dust, insects, and debris.
Check your compressor and engine intake filter. It’s common to find dirt or pollen collected in your intake filter. A clogged intake vent can cause issues to your compressor, so be sure to check this regularly throughout the spring season.
Make sure your compressor is well ventilated! You also want to make sure your fans and louvers are all functional to keep your compressor cool during the warm weather. A well-ventilated compressor works more efficiently and keeps operating temperature down.
Perform any due preventative maintenance. Keeping your air compressor on a regular service schedule is key to having it perform optimally and fulfill its lifespan.

The check list below are general maintenance interval guidelines. We recommend following the check list below to ensure smooth operations all year long.

Maintenance Intervals

Frequency	Part	Remarks
Daily	Coolant level	Check
	Engine oil level (refer to the manufacturer's manual)	Check
	Obstructions to the ventilation system	Check
	Oil or fuel leakage	Check
	Fuel level and top off (if necessary)	Check
	Operation warning lights	Check
	Compressor & engine air filters	Check
	Check the compressor oil level	Check
	Check the readability of measuring instruments	Check
Weekly	Compressor Air Filters	Check
Weekly	Engine Air Filters	Check
After the First 50 Hours of Service	Replace Compressor oil with manufacturer specific Rotair 46W AL-0025	Replace
	Compressor Oil Filter	Replace
	Diesel Fuel Filter	Replace
	Engine Oil	Replace
	Engine Oil Filter	Replace
Every 30 Days	Battery Electrolyte Level	Check (fill if needed)
	Torque of All Screws and Bolts	Check (tighten if needed)
	Tightness of All Pipe Connections	Check (tighten if needed)
Every 90 Days	Belt Tension	Check (tighten if needed)
	Oil Recovery Nozzle and Oil Recovery Line	Check
	Speed Controls at the Minimum and Maximum RPM	Check
	Check the efficiency of the safety valves	Check
	Oil Cooler	Clean
	Fuel Tank	Drain
500 Hours or 6 Months	Replace Compressor oil with manufacturer Specific Rotair 46W AL-0025	Replace
	Compressor Oil Filter manufacturer specific	Replace
	Compressor Air Filter manufacturer specific	Replace
	Diesel Fuel Filter	Replace
	Engine Oil	Replace
	Engine Oil Filter	Replace
	Engine Air Filter	Replace
1000 Hours or Every Year	Readability of Name Plate	Check, Replace if Necessary
	Orifice	Check, Replace if Necessary
	Check Valve	Check, Replace if Necessary
	Thermostatic Valve	Check, Replace if Necessary
2000 Hours or Every Two Years	Oil Separator Element	Replace
	Fan Belt	Replace
	Radiator	Flush
	Fuel Tank	Flush
	Start / Work Valve	Replace
Every Three Years	Silent Blocks / Engine Mounts	Check, Replace if Necessary
	Inlet Valve	Check, Replace if Necessary
	Minimum Pressure Valve	Check, Replace if Necessary
	Accelerator Piston	Check, Replace if Necessary

# - Whichever comes first * - As per air filter clog indicator

Notes: Only use Manufacturer specific oil and filters
ONLY use Rotair 46W AL-0025 COMPRESSOR OIL, DO NOT USE HYDRAULIC OIL!

Download Check List

Do you want to save some time and have a compressed air technician perform a spring service? ELGi has a wide service network across North America readily available to help you with your spring service. To find the nearest provider, contact our support line: 704-523-4123 or email our service team at [email protected]

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