Porter Cable CPF23400S Compressor Won't Start

[leejk]

Hi,

My compressor won't start anymore without tripping the breaker. It will just hum and attempt one revolution, that's it. If there is not pressure in the tank, then it will start up slowly and once at full speed, pumps up normally. I've checked the check valve, piston, and everything else and it seems to be fine, except I did find a small bit of oil under the motor housing covering the capacitors, so I think it's one of those gone bad. Can anyone tell me how to order new ones?

thx

[UtahAV]

Hello leejk,

That does sound like a start capacitor problem to me as well. The capacitors will occasionally go bad and leak an oily liquid like you mentioned. The function of the capacitor is to give the motor a momentary jolt of power at start up. If it is not functioning it will create just the situation you described.

The start capacitor is available from ereplacementparts.com.

The Start Capacitor is part #D21216

Let us know how your repair goes!

-UtahAV
-Mark

[CharlieM]

I have the same problem with a Porter Cable CF2020 but there is are no oil leaks. Anybody have any other ideas? One person said the check valve but I'm not sure how to test it.

[leejk]

I ordered the part and installed it and it runs good as new now. Thanks for the help!

Hello leejk,

That does sound like a start capacitor problem to me as well. The capacitors will occasionally go bad and leak an oily liquid like you mentioned. The function of the capacitor is to give the motor a momentary jolt of power at start up. If it is not functioning it will create just the situation you described.

The start capacitor is available from ereplacementparts.com.

The Start Capacitor is part #D21216

Let us know how your repair goes!

-UtahAV
-Mark

[UtahAV]

Hi leejk,

Great to hear that the problem was solved! thanks for writing back!

-UtahAV
-Mark