Detecting Compressor slow leak...

[ellal]

I've got a compressor that has a slow air leak - it takes about 8 hours to lose a full 8 bar charge.

Pressure Switch and relief valve have been changed in the past to cure an over 8 bar charge issue, and I've tightened all connections.

Any ideas as how to detect where the problem is coming from?

 

[RF Lighting]

Brush liberal amounts of slightly diluted washing up liquid onto every joint and fitting on the compressor and connected airlines. This will bubble up at even the smallest of leaks.

 

[ellal]

I tried that (remembered from the old bicycle inner tube days), but couldn't see any bubbles...

 

[Burnerman]

If your air hoses are rubber, they do tend to become porous after a while.
Have you checked the water drain at the bottom of the receiver?
John

 

[ellal]

Drain is fully closed...

No external rubber hoses...

 

[XtraRaptor]

What do you have on the outlet of the compressor?
If it is a quick disconnect, it maybe that that is leaking, remove it and replace with a blanking plug and re-test.

It may help to strip all joints, clean and re-make using loctite (or similar), as this seals better than PTFE.

 

[ellal]

Outlet leads straight to flexi hose...

The seal is made with ptfe though.

 

[Norcon]

Most compressors have an nrv on the discharge line and they can leak.