c2002 compressor leak

[Bobby]

My Porter Cable compressor leaks air from the the head area, and there appears to be a small hole in top of the head. What's the hole for, and how do I fix the problem? It's not even a year old, and it's used minimally.

[Rick]

Bobby I have basically the same and was given some advice to look at the check valve going into the tank...Mine appears to be stuck so I'm going to replace it. That small hole is apparently for relieving the pressure off the compressor cylinder after it stops running... The check valve is supposed to prevent all of the air in the tank from also escaping into that hole. My first thought when I saw the small hole was it must be a casting imperfection.... Geeesh

[Pete]

There is a small orange O ring type thing that is on the aluminum tube going into the head. It has a slot that the ring slides into on the tube and the top locks into the head and valve plate. Its a fairly easy fix. You will need a Torx screwdriver to open up the motor housing. Its a #25 size Torx screw. Take the head off the piston (4 hex screws) and you will see the O ring. The O ring was leaking for some time on mine because it kept on turning on even when not being used. Today it blew out and it wouldn't build any pressure. The O-ring costs $1.76. Cheap fix. Look at that first before you spend a fortune on other parts. Good Luck