KOBALT Quiet Tech 26 Gallon Air Compressor FAILS AGAIN! (Watch this to learn how to fix it)

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Жыл бұрын

The KOBALT Quiet Tech 26 Gallon Air Compressor has failed for the second time, and I fixed it easily and cheaply this time. The first air compressor lasted about a year before it became very loud (sounded like it was leaking air from the compressor cylinder area), and would take longer to refill. I returned it (under the 3-year warranty) and replaced it with another, hoping that it was a fluke. Since then, I've learned more about oil-free compressors and how they can be serviced. Companies like California Air Tools off rebuild kits for their compressors, which include the piston cup, cylinder, and reed valves. Generic piston cups and cylinders can also be purchased, but the size has to match the original.
So when the second KOBALT Quiet Tech 26 Gallon Air Compressor started exhibiting the same symptoms after only 6 months, I took apart the head to see what was wrong. The piston ring cup was worn all the way through. I first called KOBALT service to ask if they had rebuild kits, or even just a piston cup. The only replacement parts that they offered were components external to the compressor motor, like air line fittings and parts. KOBALT only solution was to return the compressor and get a new one, which is a huge pita and wasteful. I can take apart the cylinders and replace the parts far faster than the time it takes to return and buy a new one of these compressors.
Therefore I've purchased some replacement piston ring cups that fit. I'm still searching for replacement cylinders, although mine are still in good shape. The only ~69.8mm ID piston cylinders that I can find are longer than this one.
The cylinder ID measures 69.8mm. Cylinder height = 40.5mm
The piston ring ID is 54.36mm. Thickness = 1mm
▼ WHERE TO BUY PARTS
▶ Piston cups that fit and work well - amzn.to/3mK38US
▶ Threadlocker, Permanent, High Temp (standard threadlocker will fail due to high temperatures) - amzn.to/3LaDZfQ
▶ Replacement 2HP Air Compressor by California Air Tools (They sell all replacement parts for maintenance) - amzn.to/3PQNBi9
▼ VISIT OUR WEBSITE
▶ Products we make: soulbuilt.us
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▶ Engineering: www.engineerable.com
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How To Fix Broken KOBALT Quiet Tech 26 Gallon Air Compressor (By Replacing The Piston Cups)
The products shown here were purchased by me with the intent to use them. I did not receive any free items, and I am not being paid or compensated for this review. The video, description, and comments may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link, I may receive a commission. Money earned helps to support my channel and bring you more informative videos about engineering, crafting, and DIY.

Пікірлер: 47

@freshdc 7 ай бұрын

Great video I'm having the exact same problem with the same compressor

@engineerable 7 ай бұрын

Thanks, this should work for you. Just make sure to use the high temp Loctite, because otherwise the screw will loosen. So far, the new piston cup has lasted longer than the original.

@markyakubovsky3380 4 ай бұрын

Great video man- and thx for answering with good follow up on how it's held up. Considering buying this compressor and searching the pros/cons..@@engineerable

@engineerable 4 ай бұрын

@@markyakubovsky3380 The new piston cups are still holding up well, longer than the originals. Only buy it if you are ok with doing the piston cup service. I also recently added a smart switch that cuts it off overnight and weekends, and if there's a large leak, like a pipe bursting. Watch this video for how to add the smart switch kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o5-Viq-cq9mZdI0.html

@brettanderson5273 Жыл бұрын

Great video, thank you. I have the same Kobalt with the same issue. not a problem to rebuild the cylinders BUT I cannot find a 75x70x40 cylinder sleeve anywhere. Have you had any luck finding this part? I love the compressor when it is working, sucks to think it is a throw-away purchase if I cannot rebuild the compressor. I did some research and found some replacement cylinder sleeves that are 75x70x49.5, but these won't work for obvious reasons. I also looked at buying a replacement motor, california air makes a couple that are very close to this one, the problem being that the mounting holes are not the same and will not work. Any thoughts or suggestions?

@engineerable Жыл бұрын

I was also unable to find compatible cylinder heads either. You could add 9.5mm spacers and get longer screws. If you have a lathe, you can cut the sleeves shorter. I was very tempted to get a 2hp California air tools motor. I've heard them and they are way quieter than the Kobalt. If your Kobalt is within the 3-year return period, may be best to return and buy a whole new CAT compressor for not much more than the motor alone costs, although it's only 10 gallons: www.aircompressorsdirect.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-10020C-Air-Compressor/p70275.html

@FranciscoGalicia Ай бұрын

Nice video. I just bought one. Hopefully work good. I didn't buy the extended warranty.

@engineerable Ай бұрын

Thanks, piston cups are the only issue I've had, and the replacement piston cups have lasted a lot longer

@FranciscoGalicia Ай бұрын

@@engineerable do you recommend it?

@engineerable Ай бұрын

@@FranciscoGalicia Recommend what? Extended warranty? It sucks because you have to take the compressor in each time and get a new one. Takes less time to change the piston cups when they go bad.

@Nevada_Jack 6 ай бұрын

Do you think that a bit of oil applied to the piston cups during assembly would help them to seat and possibly reduce wear?

@engineerable 6 ай бұрын

Maybe, but it's not necessary for assembly, and it probably won't last long. The piston cup itself is made of "dry lubricant" aka PTFE, aka Teflon.

@jrjacobs7357 10 ай бұрын

Just an idea, order extra seals if they work while they're still available. I would put the sleeve over the rod first then slid the piston in from the top and screw it to the rod. Then you know your seal is going in the right direction. Just a couple observations.

@engineerable 10 ай бұрын

Yes, good idea to buy some more. It continues to work great after using high temp loctite. Unfortunately, on this compressor, it's very difficult to remove the piston from the crankshaft, so not practical to slide the piston in from the top.

@lebronjean2007 7 ай бұрын

By chance to do know the size of the o ring that sits in the head? Cushion the piston sleeve?

@engineerable 7 ай бұрын

The piston sleeve cylinder ID measures 69.8mm, therefore, the O ring ID should be about that. The piston sleeve wall thickness is about 2.6mm.

@gjkMN Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. I have an Eagle EA6500, which appears to be the same compressor motor, that suddenly became very noisy and slow to build pressure. Hopefully its a simple fix like yours.

@engineerable Жыл бұрын

Sounds like the same symptoms. The piston ring cup is designed for 1600W motors, so seems like it should be the same. Check with Eagle first if they have rebuild kit

@gjkMN Жыл бұрын

@@engineerable I took mine apart and found a huge gash in my cylinder wall, along with metal shards. Somehow something metal must have made it's way in and did damage. Oddly the cup wasn't completely compromised, however it was far from airtight.

@engineerable Жыл бұрын

@@gjkMN Is one of your intake/exhaust valves in the head broken? They provide those in rebuild kits, so I assume they can break.

@gjkMN Жыл бұрын

@@engineerable nope, still intact. Just one intake looks a little dented from whatever bounced around in there.

@gjkMN Жыл бұрын

@@engineerable update: upon further inspection, I did in fact have a broken exhaust valve.

@ixx-smg-xxi3088 8 ай бұрын

Where did you find the parts at I have one that won’t produce air have had it about 2 years no issues till now

@engineerable 8 ай бұрын

Links to parts are in the description or in this post www.engineerable.com/single-post/kobalt-quiet-tech-26-gallon-air-compressor-fails-again-watch-this-long-term-review-before-buying

@rednckracng517 4 ай бұрын

I have a brand new one just like this and it just hums/lightly whines when I flip the switch. Doesn’t kick on. Put a new start cap on it and still same issue. Any recommendations? Please help

@engineerable 4 ай бұрын

If there's back pressure on the compressor it won't start. Like if the unloader valve is not releasing pressure. Check if the motor rotates freely. Otherwise could be bad centrifugal switch.

@silvercrxsi 8 ай бұрын

I think the problem your having is that it’s basically just a compressor designed for occasional at home use,and oil free for low maintenance because of that ,the pump seals typically have a 1000 hour life span, if your using it everyday all day long in a workshop environment it’s not going to last, your better off going with something more commercial grade that requires oil, and as long as you service it by changing the oil it will last an extremely long time, and another benefit is that most are belt driven so a motor or pump can be replaced separately

@engineerable 7 ай бұрын

I moved from oil compressor to oil-less for lower noise and cleaner air (even though I already have good filtration and an air dryer). California Air Tools oil-less air compressors claim a 3000 hrs, and based on how often ours run, I calculated that it should run at least 3-5 years (2-4 hours a day of use). So far the new piston cup has run longer than the original. It appears that the Kobalt compressor is lower quality than California Air Tools, so maybe 1000 hr lifespan is more accurate.

@OffTheLens Жыл бұрын

My kobalt 26 is like a month new and it turned on and then never turns on you think this could be the problem?

@engineerable Жыл бұрын

No, that seems like an electrical issue somewhere.

@realtruth97 2 ай бұрын

Maybe you should've put the piston cylinder first before the disc. Then pushed it down. That way it would've been air tight in there.

@engineerable 2 ай бұрын

Unless you can explain how to do that, I don't think it will be possible. The piston cup has to be sandwiched in the piston first before it can be put inside the cylinder. It was not difficult to put inside the cylinder if you tilt it like I showed.

@maikelanias 9 ай бұрын

Donde comprar el nuevo cello

@engineerable 9 ай бұрын

All links to parts are in the description.

@realtruth97 2 ай бұрын

Why didn't you lubricate it? Grease would help a lot.

@engineerable 2 ай бұрын

The piston cup is Teflon, so it's made of lubricant. Adding grease would defeat the purpose of an oil free compressor, which is clean air uncontaminated by oil or grease.

@josephtheinflatableguy4609 Жыл бұрын

could dirty air filters have caused this?

@engineerable Жыл бұрын

Nah, the filters don't look dirty. Our shop air is clean and filtered

@josephtheinflatableguy4609 Жыл бұрын

@@engineerable Its air intake filters may look clean but can still be dirty enough to restrict airflow to the pumps

@engineerable Жыл бұрын

@@josephtheinflatableguy4609 I get what your saying, but these filters look like new and seem to allow air to pass easily.

@marvinwiens2774 Жыл бұрын

I think the cause of the failure is probably a consumer grade low usage product sounds like it is in continuous use in a shop where a true HD commercial compressor should be sourced. A modern medium priced unit failed after 2 years of continuous use. I have seen old timer garage compressors that ran daily for 50 years with no maintenance. They are expensive to purchase that kind of quality.

@jeflyer 23 күн бұрын

WARNING with FIX: My 6-month old KOBALT Quiet Tech 26 Gallon Air Compressor stopped creating any pressure. It runs and sounds normal, but zero pressure. From all the reviews I almost returned it under warranty, considered replacing parts, etc.. But wait!!! INSPECTION: With motor running, unscrew the round air filter housing and BAM SHAZAM it works like new again. (It's only used in a "fairly clean" garage.) The air filter housing top comes apart (put the nut in a vise and push and twist the cap off). Filter inside was clean as new. PROBLEM: the small inlet tube got filled in by a tiny mud dauber. SOLUTION: Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the mud dauber seal. Cover the hole with screen material.

@engineerable 23 күн бұрын

Good to know.

@gabrieljones6218 18 күн бұрын

I agree Kobalt it complete crap I have same air compressor my air regulator knob went out Lowes told me I had call Kobalt they do not have the replacement parts 3 year warranty IS COMPLETE LIE they will not replace any parts or will they give you replacement air compressor this air compressor is used for my business I'm on budget and can not afford go out buy better air compressor. Lowes told me I could buy new air compressor and use that knob. so your tell me a knob will cost me same price as new air compressor wow I will get right on that lol I have already tried to buy after market replacement knob witch will not work it does not line up with the gage compressor module. I had to ditch the Kobalt and just make my own gage and hose connection because Lowes would help me i will not be a Lowes customer I will travel extra miles go to home depot my next air compressor will be through east wood since I am into auto body business. Lowes gets a 0 star from me.