Broken regulator

[Gun Freak]

My regulator on our 33 gal compressor is at 0, cant go higher. It stays at 0 psi, dial does nothing. I think the piston/ diaphragm is broken. Ideas?

[mark.f]

Take it apart? (Click to expand)

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To be honest, I see a lot of things that can be broken.

[Technician1002]

A normal regulator works by using the spring under adjustment knob to press on one side of a diaphragm and either directly open a valve or press on a lever that opens a valve. Air goes through the valve and presses on the other side of the diaphragm. When the pressure equals the pressure of the spring, the diaphragm moves back and the valve closes.

If the diaphragm is broken, the spring will open the valve and air will leak out of the unpressurized side. A broken diaphragm is unlikely.

If the spring is broken, then it won't press on the diaphragm. This is a possibility. As you rise the adjustment, you would feel the knob tighten as it applies more spring pressure. If you feel the resistance, the spring is probably OK. If the knob does not tighten and loosen, then the spring may be broken. They rarely break.

Under the diaphragm is the valve. If moisture and crud set in it, it may simply be stuck. If the valve type uses a rocker arm, it may be stuck or broken.

Another possibility is the compressor put no pressure in the tank. Have you tried to bleed off the air?

A safety item, bleed off the tank pressure before working on the regulator. Lift the safety and bleed the tank to zero before working on a regulator. If the regulator is bad, for safety, it is recommended to simply replace the regulator. Air regulators are not that expensive. You are not easily replaced.

[Gun Freak]

We ordered a new one, but I am anxious to take his one apart to see what is wrong with it. There was about 130 psi tank pressure when the regulator broke, then I emptied the tank. When my dad put pressure back in the tank, a little more than 40 psi for tires, the regulator could not adjust any higher than 0.