Compressor air valve
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1/ The compressor’s air valve passed the leak test when tested with kerosene, but when it was installed on the compressor and pressurized, air leakage was detected from the valve element. I would appreciate some advice from those with more experience
There are quite a few reasons for this! It’s possible that there was already air leakage during the kerosene drip test, but it was within acceptable limits! It’s also possible that debris fell into the air valve during transportation and installation!
Kerosene residue or dirt on the valve plates and mating surfaces
If you take it off to check for leaks and there are no leaks, how can you be sure that there are leaks once it’s installed? Maybe your judgment is wrong
If the leak test is successful before installation, it might be due to debris getting in during the installation process; everything will be fine once it starts operating. It will not affect the displacement
It’s okay if there’s leakage; it’s not absolutely impossible to have any leakage
How did you determine that the air valve was leaking?
It shouldn’t be a leak from the check valve; are the gaskets and such in order? Have the valve cover, cylinder head, gaskets, clearances, etc. been checked?
Our unit used to conduct tests with water or kerosene, but now it uses a specialized testing machine that applies high-pressure air for testing; there is still a significant difference between the two methods. Through testing, using kerosene and water worked fine, but air leakage was detected when instruments were used; the difference is quite significant. The main reasons are as follows: 1. There is a significant difference between the media used for testing; kerosene and air have different molecular sizes. For the same leakage point, substances with smaller molecular weights have better fluidity and permeability, which results in more gas leakage. 2. The test pressures are different. The use of simple kerosene or water is carried out at atmospheric pressure, whereas testing on machines or with high-pressure instruments involves pressures that are many times higher. With the same leakage point, the amount of leakage (flow rate) will naturally be different.