ARB Compressor dies

D

double moo

Adventurer
I have been chasing an oil leak through my engine compartment for a week getting more frustrated by the day. Everytime I think I have the culprit it turns out to be not so. Finally I believe it is my ARB Compressor that has leaked all the oil. Once I found this to be the case I tried to turn it on and it is dead... not even a click. I can't find my manual so I'm asking for some insight. How much oil do these take? What could cause the oil to leak out? This unit was installed this spring - maybe april - and has been used maybe 3 times... the most extensive of which was to fill up a couple of air mattresses.

So as of my Son's last outing I have a dead winch and a dead compressor - which means no air up and no lockers.
 
mountainpete

mountainpete

Spamicus Eliminatus
Unless something has changed, ARB compressors are oilless..

You might just have a pinched O-ring in the diff that is forcing diff oil up the compressor lines. If it's been happening long enough, the compressor may need a rebuild.

Pete
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Well-known member
Lets start from the top, which ARB compressor unit do you have?

The RDCKA is the older ARB unit (~10 years ~07')
RDCKA.jpg


The CKMA12 is the new full-size replacment (~07' - current)
CKMA12.jpg


The CKSA12 is the new compace unit (07' - current)
CKSA12.jpg
 
A

ARBTECH

Observer
Doublemoo,
Sounds like you may have a couple of things going on as was mentioned. Give us a call when you get a chance and ask for the tech department (888-427-2872) and we'll help with some diagnosis and work on getting you fixed up and back on the trail.
Marc
ARB tech dept
 
D

double moo

Adventurer
Hi Kurt!

Compressor is a CKMA12. I had it installed along with the ARB Air Lockers... and a 2 gallon tank.

After posting last night I did some searching on other off road sites and found that a plugged diff breather can also send oil back up the air line. I'm going to call ARB this morning, then drop by the shop that did the install for their take on it.

Thanks to all for the ideas so far.
 
D

double moo

Adventurer
I called ARB and spoke to a tech there - great to work with. He ran through several scenarios and how to track each. Told me to call him back if I get stumped again.

When I got home tonight I disconnected the diff breather hose and blasted some air through it - got out a bit of dust/rust.../ not much but it could have been the culprit. I then disconnected the locker air supply tube at the diff and set it in a pepsi bottle. Then disconnected the other end at the compressor and blew it out - got about 1/2 inch of oil in the bottle... for a small 3 mil tube I'd say that made it pretty much full! So this concludes the oil leak mystery.

Next step is to check the power supply at the compressor... if it's bad I have an electrical problem... if it's good I need to send in the compressor. Wherein it all worked until this oil problem came up, and that the fuses are intact - I think the power may be good.

Thanks for all your help.
 
C

Chris85xlt

Adventurer
something similar like this happened to me. Turned out my ring gear came loose from the case (shop who installed it didnt use thread lock) and the metal shavings killed the seal. gear oil then slowly worked its way up to the compressor.
 
D

double moo

Adventurer
Electrical issue turned out to be a blown relay. I picked up a new one today and popped it in... we have air, we have lockers!!!

While test driving it this evening I noticed that the compressor cycled on and off every 8-10 seconds for about a 1/2 second. I parked it in the garage and turned it back on to check for leaks - nothing... and no cycling of the compressor. I'm guessing that this means I may have 'O' ring troubles inside the locker. At least I have lockers if needed for the time being. If it's not one thing it's another!

Thanks again for the help

Moo
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Well-known member
double moo said:
...While test driving it this evening I noticed that the compressor cycled on and off every 8-10 seconds for about a 1/2 second...
Click to expand...

So when you have the locker engaged, its cycling the compressor every 8-10 seconds? O-rings or another major air supply leak.
 
C

Chris85xlt

Adventurer
get a spray bottle with a mixture of water and soap and spray at all the connections. if u see bubbles u have a leak. i had the same ARB compressor as u did and mine leaked around the small reserve bottle on the compressor
 
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