Husky Air Compressor Won’t Build Pressure
An air compressor is a critical component of just about any garage, whether it’s at home or an auto repair shop. Air compressors speed up many tasks and in some cases, an air compressor makes things possible that otherwise wouldn’t be.
As with any other machine, there are times when air compressors break down. Husky air compressors are no exception. So, to get your Husky air compressor back in tip-top shape, you may have to purchase and replace parts from time to time.
While the reasons your Husky air compressor won’t build pressure could be many things, some common areas to check are your pressure valves, gaskets and other deals, or a clogged air filter. Other common issues that prevent Husky air compressors from building pressure are a bad pressure relief valve or a faulty pressure control knob. In rare circumstances, your Husky air compressor motor may be struggling with an unstable line voltage.
In this article, we will cover the most common issues that make it so a Husky air compressor won’t build pressure. We will also go over some easy-to-perform solutions to resolve this annoying problem.
1. Pressure Relief Valves
This pressure valve is usually made of brass and has a threaded inlet connection and a specific PSI relief pressure that it will open at. These devices also include a corrosion resistant zinc-plated steel spring. These valves are made to function at operating temperatures of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pressure valves are critical safety devices. This valve incorporates a leak-proof O-ring seal and is designed to have an accuracy of at least 3 percent. The pressure relief valve gases rapidly escape in order to decrease pressure in the tank.
These valves have an internal adjustment that allows the user to set the pressure at which the valve opens. The good news is that pressure valves are relatively standard.
How To Replace A Husky Pressure Relief Valve
If this valve fails to release the pressure in the tank, the tank then becomes too pressurized and other mechanisms in the air compressor should stop the motor from running. On the other hand, if the valve fails to properly close it will cause your machine to keep running and your Husky air compressor won’t build pressure.
If you have a problem with your pressure release valve, you need to shut down your air compressor and not use it until the problem is resolved. Running an air compressor with a damaged pressure release valve is dangerous!
The safety valve in a Husky air compressor has a spring in it that wears out over time This is another quick and easy part to replace.
Step 1: Remove all the air from the compressor’s tank
Step 2: Remove the manifold cover.
Step 3: Use a wrench and remove the safety valve.
Step 4: Install the new safety valve.
2.Gaskets And O-Rings
Like with any other machine, the seals and gaskets on your husky air compressor will need to be replaced from time to time. We recommend getting this O-ring kit because it has such a wide variety of rings.
There is one for every size, so there are several that will fit various parts of your many Husky air compressors and other household items. These O-rings are manufactured from high-quality Nitrile Rubber that can handle a temperature range of -40 F to 248 F.
Replacing the O-rings in a Husky air compressor is a straightforward process. All you have to do is follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the manifold cover
Step 2: Remove the regulator knob by twisting it counterclockwise
Step 3: Locate the spring inside the regulator knob. It can be found on a small cone inside the cap.
Step 4: Use a pair of needle nose pliers to reach inside the regulator and gently pull out the small plastic slieve located inside
Note: The O-ring will be attached to this small plastic sleeve. Make sure to get the right sized O-ring from your kit and replace the old one with it. Before doing so, make sure to apply some compressor-safe lubricant on the new O-ring.
Step 5: Put everything back together
3. Air Filters
The air filter is one of the most crucial components of an air compressor. If it’s clogged or even just dirty, it can cause all sorts of reliability and performance problems with your Husky air compressor.
The good news is that filters are low cost items that are easy to replace. While some filters are shared between models, generally speaking, each Husky air compressor model is going to need a filter element.
A clogged air filter will not only cause your pneumatic tools to be under-powered, but it also makes your Husky air compressor motor work harder. This can lead to overheating and premature breakdown of your air compressor’s internal components.
The location of a Husky air compressor filter is going to be different depending on which model air compressor you have. The air filter is fortunately easy to replace. Simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Locate the filter housing and remove its cap.
Step 2: Remove the old filter
Step 3 (A): Clean the old filter and reinstall it. and either clean it off or replace it with a new one.
Step 3 (B): Replace the old filter with a new replacement Husky air filter
Most Common Husky Air Compressor Issues
While Husky air compressors are known to be among the most reliable, they experience breakdowns and need regular maintenance in the same way any other machine does.
Husky air compressors are not perfect machines, by any means. So, that means they have some quirks that are specific to the Husky brand. A lot of these issues are relatively common but the good news is that most of them are minor.
Husky Air Compressor Not Building Pressure
This is an issue that can happen to any air compressor. There may come a time where you notice pressure is not building in your Husky air compressor. While this could be several things, it’s usually the result of a faulty pressure valve.
The pressure relief valve on Husky air compressors are usually easy to locate and replace. In fact, many people have had success in simply removing the pressure valve, cleaning it off, and reinstalling it. In most cases, however, you will have to replace it with a new pressure valve.
The source of your problem could also be something as simple as a failed gasket. A good way to tell if you have a problem with a gasket is if your Husky air compressor is not providing much pressure.
Generally speaking, if the compressor seems to be working and able to make some level of pressure, but not nearly as much as it usually does, then that’s a good sign that you have a problem with the gasket that separates the high and low pressure areas on your Husky air compressor.
4. Faulty Pressure Regulator Or Knob
Pressure regulators become worn out over time. Sometimes the regulator itself is not the issue, and it’s just the regulator’s control knob. A failing pressure regulator knob can make your pressure hard to set or you may notice that the pressure knob just doesn’t spin like it used to.
This is a common issue among air compressors in general, but there is good news. A pressure regulator knob is another low cost part that is super simple to replace.Before attempting to replace a Husky pressure regulator, first make sure to remove all the air from the tank.
Next, unscrew the top of the regulator. You should be able to see a few screws on each side of the regulator. Once you remove those screws, you can pull the top cover off. You can then use your hand to twist off the pressure regulator knob and use an adjustable wrench to remove the air hose.
The next step is to remove the old regulator and replace it with the new one. Make sure to use plumbers tape on the threads of every connection you make, including the connection for the knob. In some cases, you may have to remove the gauges from the old regulator. This will only be the case if you buy a replacement regulator that doesn’t include gauges.
5:Husky Air Compressor Voltage Sensitivity
Unfortunately, Husky air compressors are known for being rather sensitive to line voltage changes. So, if there are any unexpected fluctuations in your electrical service, Husky air compressors can become somewhat unstable or even shut down.
So, if you have a house with really old wiring, it may cause your Husky air compressor to not work at its best. This can lead to your air compressor not being able to build pressure like it normally would.
Additional Things You Can Do To Fix Your Husky Air Compressor
We found a YouTube video that shows how to fix several common problems that can cause your Husky air compressor to not build pressure.
The video also explains some tips that will help improve the airflow of your Husky air compressor, even if it is not having a problem holding pressure.
Conclusion
Husky air compressors are known to be a great value for the money and among the most reliable. There comes a time with any machine, however, where parts break down and components need to be replaced. Sometimes these breakdowns can lead to a Husky air compressor not being able to build or maintain a particular target pressure.
For such a complex issue, there are many potential causes. Most of the time, however, when a Husky air compressor won’t build pressure, it’s because either the pressure valves or O-rings are bad or the air filter is clogged. If you are a little less lucky, then it may be a bad pressure relief valve, but that is not a very difficult component to replace.
There are some cases in which the motor itself is bad, but that’s rare with this brand. Another rare but annoying thing about Husky air compressors is that they are particularly sensitive to electrical fluctuations. So if all else fails, you can always invest in a voltage stabilizer.
We hope this article helped you get to the bottom of why your Husky air compressor won’t build pressure. Thanks for reading!
