Porter Cable makes two separate kinds of compressors, these types are lubricated and oil free.Today we are going to look at the oil free compressor. Porter Cable oil free pancake compressors can easily be one of the most valuable tools in your arsenal. Oil free means that the maintenance on your machine is easy, but that doesn't diminish the importance of repair and genuine Porter Cable parts replacement as needed. Oil free compressors are often lighter then their lubricated counterparts due to the fact that less parts are required on the machine to allow it to run. This article is intended to help remind you of what you should check on your Porter Cable compressor to insure that it continues to function as if it were right out of the b

1. Porter Cable makes two separate kinds of compressors, these types are lubricated and oil free.Today
we are going to look at the oil free compressor. Porter Cable oil free pancake compressors can easily be
one of the most valuable tools in your arsenal. Oil free means that the maintenance on your machine is
easy, but that doesn't diminish the importance of repair and genuine Porter Cable parts replacement as
needed. Oil free compressors are often lighter then their lubricated counterparts due to the fact that less
parts are required on the machine to allow it to run. This article is intended to help remind you of what
you should check on your Porter Cable compressor to insure that it continues to function as if it were
right out of the box.
This first thing to remember with any compressor is to visually check the unit before and after every
use. You are going to want to check:
• That all fasteners a tightened securely and the hoses are not cracked or damaged
• Your safety shutdown system is functioning correctly and the tank is drained after every use
• The air filter and heat exchanger are clean
The first check is a simple one. This is just a visual inspection of the hose to insure it is in working
condition. Cracked hoses make your compressor bleed air causing a loss of pressure. This can lead to
your motor continually overwork itself, leading to overheating and eventual failure. Replacement
motors and hoses are commonly available parts and can be replaced easily. The same applies for the
fasteners on your Porter Cable. The safety valve, drain valve and manifold are also common places
where it can experience pressure loss. These items are a little tougher to diagnose as the issue. The
safety valve will often make a popping noise when malfunctioning where as the drain valve and
manifold will more likely make a hiss from a slow leak. Make sure to check that all the fasteners are
securely threaded into place before use.
The second step is something that should be checked every time you use your tool. Most air
compressors have a built in safety shut down mechanism. This can be tested by following the directions
in your owners manual. The safety shutdown forces the machine to automatically turn of the motor
when the pressure builds to a certain point. It also checks the motor temperature periodically to prevent
catastrophic failure. Also important to every use is to make sure the water is drained from the tank after
every use. Neglecting to drain your tank will lead to internal rusting of the tank. This is bad news if you
require a lot of pressure or continual use. If you combine a faulty safety shutdown with neglected tanks
this can sometimes cause the tank to explode or on occasion turn into a rocket and shoot right through
the ceiling of your workshop. Though it might be hilarious to see on Americas Funniest Home Videos,
it's not nearly as funny when it happens to your compressor.
Another cause of engine failure can be caused simply by a dirty air filter or heat exchanger. This is
something you should check about once every month. A dirty air filter will not allow as much air
through into the tank and causes the motor to burn hot trying to keep up with the pressure demands.
This is easy to take care of. Porter Cable offers replacement filters and these should be changed about
every six months or after approximately 200 hours of use. About every month or so it's a good idea to
clean the filter with compressed air. This is easy, simply let your compressor build up pressure, unplug
it and pull the air filter. Blow it out with the compressed air left in the tank. The same applies for the
heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is like a tiny radiator for your motor that helps disperse heat
generated by a working motor.
These simple steps can keep that little Porter Cable compressor running like new from the first moment
out of the box until forever