Seized Kellogg 331 compressor head- what to do?

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richard newman

Titanium

Joined

Jul 28, 2006

Location

rochester, ny

• Oct 21, 2018

• #1

My old Kelloggs 331 5hp compressor is seized up. I've had if for over 30 yrs, with no problems, til I moved into a new shop 5 yrs ago and things go a bit out of control. Neglected to keep oil level up, and it seized about a year ago. Took the head off and was able to get the pistons moving again, cylinders looked fine. I flushed it and filled with compressor oil, it ran and sounded fine. Then I came in one morning a week ago and it was seized again. Oil level was correct.

Wondering if it might be connecting rod or crank bearings that are seized. Never had it apart, not sure the best way to proceed, any suggestions?

 

D Nelson

Stainless

Joined

Jan 7, 2015

Location

Missouri Ida

• Oct 21, 2018

• #2

New head unit horrible freight 150.00


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

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sealark37

Stainless

Joined

Mar 24, 2010

Location

Davidson NC USA

• Oct 21, 2018

• #3

Try "The Surplus Center" for a new pump.

 

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DDoug

Diamond

Joined

Oct 18, 2005

Location

NW Pa

• Oct 21, 2018

• #4

Take it apart.

All-the-way this time.

It's not that complicated.

 

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richard newman

Titanium

Joined

Jul 28, 2006

Location

rochester, ny

• Oct 22, 2018

• #5

I'm sure I can get it apart, getting it back together is another thing.

 

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Dan from Oakland

Titanium

Joined

Sep 15, 2005

Location

Oakland, CA

• Oct 22, 2018

• #6

Either it became a grenade inside or its something repairable- if it destroyed a bearing its probably toast- if a piston seized up and galled there might be hope. Just take it apart and see what happened, but you probably already know this.

One question though- why do you leave it on when apparently no one is in the shop? That seems to me to be a bigger question but. . . . do you leave all your machines on?

 

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richard newman

Titanium

Joined

Jul 28, 2006

Location

rochester, ny

• Oct 22, 2018

• #7

I don't usually but occasionally I forget to turn it off.

 

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Bill D

Diamond

Joined

Apr 1, 2004

Location

Modesto, CA USA

• Oct 22, 2018

• #8

I really should put a timer switch on the wall for my compressor. Turn it and it stays on for 8 hours then turns off by itself. I just have the control wiring to figure out.
Bill D

 

D

DDoug

Diamond

Joined

Oct 18, 2005

Location

NW Pa

• Oct 22, 2018

• #9

Bill D said:

I really should put a timer switch on the wall for my compressor. Turn it and it stays on for 8 hours then turns off by itself. I just have the control wiring to figure out.
Bill D

Click to expand...

I'll bet you don't punch a time clock anymore, so
the timer will end up being wrong half of the time.

Simply wire it the light switch for the shop.

 

awake

Titanium

Joined

Jan 24, 2006

Location

Angier, North Carolina

• Oct 24, 2018

• #10

Wait - you all turn your compressors off?? I just shut the ball valve at the compressor - it doesn't leak, so it uses no air, so the compressor doesn't come on. Been working for me just fine for quite a while now ....

 

D

DDoug

Diamond

Joined

Oct 18, 2005

Location

NW Pa

• Oct 24, 2018

• #11

awake said:

Wait - you all turn your compressors off?? I just shut the ball valve at the compressor - it doesn't leak, so it uses no air, so the compressor doesn't come on. Been working for me just fine for quite a while now ....

Click to expand...

I've seen too many failure modes to ever leave one turned on.

 

M

metalmagpie

Titanium

Joined

May 22, 2006

Location

Seattle

• Oct 24, 2018

• #12

Don't know how big that pump is but I have a Quincy 10hp head I could be talked out of.

 

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projectnut

Stainless

Joined

Mar 4, 2006

Location

Wisconsin

• Oct 25, 2018

• #13

There are still a number of parts available for the older Kellogg compressors. Once you determine what you need look at the Compressedair website:

Kellogg American Air Compressor Parts & Kits

There are a number of parts available for the 331.

They still have some parts available for my 1965 era 311 compressor. In the scheme of things it was the smallest 2 stage compressor Kellogg built and consequently one of the least popular. I have purchased tune-up parts, filters and other parts over the years to keep it running. Their prices aren't out of line and they are easy to deal with.