[Shop-talk] Phantom air leak

[Karl Vacek]

Bad check valve at the compressor?  Unloader valve leaking?

Karl


-----Original Message-----
From: Randall
Subject: [Shop-talk] Phantom air leak

So, I've got this somewhat older 80 gallon air compressor mounted in the
back yard, and plumbed to the garage.  The garage plumbing isn't completely
air tight, so I usually close the ball valve at the tank outlet when I'm not
using the system, to hold pressure in the tank (and avoid having to pump it
up next time I use it).

But lately, the tank will leak down significantly in just a day or two.
Funny thing is, I left the ball valve open last night, and the tank is still
nearly full 24 hours later.  Seems that the only explanation is that the
valve itself is bad.  Does anyone have an alternate theory?  Am I
overlooking something?