The oil-free air compressor is not pumping air? Comprehensive troubleshooting and repair guide Behind a non-operating oil-less air compressor, there are often multiple potential faults ranging from simple to complex. In fact, 85% of the problems can be solved without the need for professional technicians. Have you ever encountered a situation where an oil-free air compressor suddenly stops working? In auto repair shops, dental clinics or food processing plants, the oil-free air compressor, as a key equipment for providing clean compressed air, if it experiences a "no air supply" failure, often affects the entire production process. 01 The Value and Common Faults of Oil-Free Air Compressors The main difference between oil-free air compressors and traditional lubricated air compressors lies in the fact that no lubricating oil is used inside the compression chamber. This design ensures that the compressed air is completely free from oil contamination, making it particularly suitable for applications with high air quality requirements, such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, medical care, and precision electronic manufacturing. When an oil-free air compressor experiences a "no-blowing" failure, it indicates that the equipment is operating normally but is unable to generate or maintain the required air pressure. This failure can stem from issues with multiple components. Compared to lubricated air compressors, the advantage of the oil-free design lies in providing pure air while also reducing maintenance issues related to oil contamination. However, it also faces challenges such as mechanical wear, seal failure, and electrical control faults. The common failure symptoms of oil-free air compressors include: complete inability to start, being able to start but without any air pressure output, slow increase in air pressure or inability to reach the set pressure value, etc. 02 Working Principle of Oil-Free Air Compressor To accurately diagnose the "air compression failure", one must first understand the basic working principle of an oil-free air compressor. Oil-free air compressors typically employ either piston or screw designs, but both follow the same fundamental compression principle. The motor drives the piston or screw to rotate, drawing external air into the compression chamber. Inside the compression chamber, the volume of the air is mechanically reduced, and the pressure increases accordingly. The compressed air is cooled by the cooling system and then stored in the gas storage tank for use. The oil-free design reduces friction through special self-lubricating materials or coatings, replacing the functions of traditional lubricants. These materials are usually polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or similar high-molecular composite materials, which have low friction coefficients and good wear resistance. The heat generated during the compression process is forcibly cooled through heat sinks or fans to prevent the equipment from overheating. The control system monitors the pressure and temperature to ensure that the equipment operates within safe parameters. After understanding this basic workflow, one can better understand where the "no air supply" fault might occur: the intake system, the compression system, the exhaust system or the control system. 03 Preliminary Inspection and Safety Measures Before carrying out any maintenance, appropriate safety measures must be taken. First, ensure that the air compressor is completely powered off. Not only should the switch be turned off, but it is also advisable to unplug the plug from the power socket. Wait for the equipment to cool down completely, especially if it has been operated before. The working temperature of an oil-free air compressor can be very high, and direct contact may cause burns. Release all the pressure in the storage tank and open the pressure relief valve until the pressure gauge returns to zero. This is a crucial safety step that must not be ignored; neglecting it could result in serious injury. Prepare the basic tools: screwdriver, wrench, multimeter (for electrical inspection) and endoscope (if possible, for inspecting the internal condition). The initial examination should follow the principle of progressing from simple to complex: Check whether the power connection is secure. · Confirm that the switch is in the correct position Check whether the pressure gauge is functioning properly (sometimes the problem lies with the pressure gauge rather than the air compressor). · Observe whether the equipment shows any obvious signs of damage or leakage These initial checks may address some obvious issues, such as loose power cords or malfunctioning control switches. 04 Fault Diagnosis of Motors and Transmission Systems If no problems are found during the initial inspection, the next step should be to check the motor and the transmission system. The motor is the "heart" of the oil-free air compressor, and its malfunction directly causes the equipment to be unable to generate compression power. Use a multimeter to check if the power voltage is normal. A low voltage may cause the motor to fail to start or operate with insufficient power. Check the motor starting capacitor, as this is a common fault point for small air compressors. The failure of the capacitor will cause the motor to fail to obtain sufficient starting torque. Check if the capacitor has any swelling, leakage or burnt marks, as these are obvious signs that require replacement. Test whether the motor windings are in good condition. Use the resistance setting of the multimeter to measure the resistance value of the windings and compare it with the standard value provided by the manufacturer. If the resistance value is abnormal or there is a short circuit between the windings, professional repair or replacement of the motor is required. Check the belt drive system (if applicable). Loosened belts can cause slippage, reducing compression efficiency;