Looking for an easy checklist for air compressor maintenance and inspection? We have maintenance checklists for rotary screw air compressors, reciprocating air compressors, oil-free compressors and compressed air system components like air dryers and oil/water separators.
Make air compressor maintenance even easier with preventative maintenance (PM) services from Fluid-Aire Dynamics. We make sure preventative maintenance is done right and reduce the burden on your staff. Our pros use an exclusive 45-point inspection and maintenance checklist to keep your system in top condition. We can also offer a free compressed air system assessment or comprehensive compressed air audit to help you improve your system for reduced energy costs and optimal performance.
Contact us to schedule service.
Air Compressor Maintenance Checklist: Important Considerations
Regular air compressor preventative maintenance is crucial for ensuring operational efficiency and longevity. An air compressor maintenance checklist serves as a comprehensive guide to inspecting and maintaining various types of compressors, highlighting key areas that need attention. A maintenance checklist helps to identify potential issues before they escalate, ensuring your facility’s compressed air system operates at peak performance, thus reducing annual energy costs and downtime.
If completing your own PM service, it is very important to check your user manual for your specific make and model of equipment. The downloadable maintenance checklists below are meant as general guides only and do not supersede your manufacturer’s recommendations. Also, remember that your usage patterns and operating environment will impact maintenance requirements for compressed air equipment. In between PMs, there are also routine maintenance tasks to be completed daily, weekly and monthly.
Oil-Flooded Rotary Vane/Rotary Screw Air Compressor Maintenance Checklist
An oil-flooded rotary screw air compressor typically requires a full PM service every 2,000 to 4,000 operating hours or annually, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the operating environment.
Routine Maintenance
- Daily: Inspect the system for signs of air or oil leaks, check oil levels and top off oil if necessary, drain condensate traps, and check for unusual sounds or vibrations.
- Weekly: Check air inlet filters and clean or change them if necessary; verify proper operation of control and safety systems.
- Monthly: Clean heat exchangers; check belts and hoses.
Basic PM
A Basic PM should be completed every 1,000 to 2,000 hours or every 6 months.
- Change Air Filter(s)
- Oil Filter(s)
- Panel Filter(s) (if applicable)
- Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
Full PM
A Full PM should be completed every 2,000 to 4,000 hours or every 12 months.
- Change Air Filter(s)
- Oil Filter(s)
- Panel Filter(s) (if applicable)
- Air/Oil Separator(s)
- Lubricant
- Drain Valve(s)
- Belt(s)
- Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
Triennial PM
A Triennial PM should be completed every 8,000 to 12,000 operating hours or every 36 months.
- Rebuild Inlet Valve
- Rebuild Minimum Pressure Check Valve
- Replace Thermal Valve
- Replace Solenoid(s)
- Replace Scavenger Check Valve (if applicable)
- Replace Drive Coupling Element (if applicable)
- Replace Starter Contacts (if applicable)
- Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
Oil-Lubricated Reciprocating Air Compressor Maintenance Checklist
An oil-lubricated reciprocating air compressor typically requires a full PM service every 500 to 1,000 operating hours or annually, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the operating environment.
Routine Maintenance
- Daily: Inspect the system for signs of air or oil leaks, check oil levels and top off oil if necessary, drain condensate traps, and check for unusual sounds or vibrations.
- Weekly: Check air inlet filters and clean or change them if necessary; verify proper operation of control and safety systems.
- Monthly: Clean heat exchangers; check belts and hoses.
Basic PM
A Basic PM should be completed every 500 operating hours or every 6 months.
- Change Air Filter(s)
- Oil Filter (if applicable)
- Lubricant
- Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
Full PM
A Full PM should be completed every 1,000 operating hours or every 12 months.
- Change Air Filter(s)
- Oil Filter (if applicable)
- Lubricant
- Drain Valve(s)
- Belt(s)
- Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
Oil-Free Air Compressor Maintenance Checklist
An oil-free air compressor typically requires a full PM service every 1,000 to 2,000 operating hours or annually, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the operating environment.
Routine Maintenance
- Daily: Inspect the system for signs of air or oil leaks, check oil level and top off oil if necessary, drain condensate traps, and check for unusual sounds or vibrations.
- Weekly: Check air inlet filters and clean or change them if necessary, verify proper operation of control and safety systems.
- Monthly: Clean heat exchangers, check belts and hoses.
Basic PM
A Basic PM should be completed every 500 operating hours or every 6 months.
- Change Air Filter(s)
- Oil Filter(s) (if applicable)
- Panel Filter(s) (if applicable)
- Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
Full PM
A Full PM should be completed every 1,000 to 2,000 hours or every 12 months.
- Change Air Filter(s)
- Oil Filter(s) (if applicable)
- Lubricant (if applicable)
- Panel Filter(s) (if applicable)
- Drain Valve(s)
- Belt(s)
- Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
Triennial PM
A Triennial PM should be completed every 8,000 to 12,000 operating hours or every 36 months.
- Rebuild Inlet Valve
- Rebuild Minimum Pressure Check Valve
- Replace Solenoid(s)
- Replace Drive Coupling Element (if applicable)
- Replace Starter Contacts (if applicable)
- Replace Airend or Tip Seals
- Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
Refrigerated Air Dryer Maintenance Checklist
Routine Maintenance
- Daily: Inspect the system for signs of refrigerant or air leaks, drain condensate, check operation to ensure it is maintaining the desired dew point.
- Weekly: Clean or replace panel filters, test condensate drains, clean condenser coils.
Basic PM
A Basic PM should be completed every 1000 to 2000 hours or every 6 months.
- Test Drain Valve(s) and Clean Strainer(s)
- Clean condenser coil(s)
- Inspect line filter elements
Full PM
A Full PM should be completed every 4000 hours or every 12 months.
- Test Drain Valve(s) and Clean Strainer(s)
- Clean condenser coil(s)
- Replace line filter elements
Desiccant Air Dryer Maintenance Checklist
Routine Maintenance
- Daily: Monitor system for proper operation and dew point.
- Monthly: Check desiccant health/color, inspect valves and seals, check and clean or replace pre-filters and post-filters.
Basic PM
A Basic PM is required every 3 - 6 months of operation.
- Monitor Dew Point
- Check Switching Valve(s)
- Inspect Muffler(s)
- Inspect Desiccant
- Replace pre-filter element(s)
Full PM
A Full PM is required every 12 months of operation.
- Monitor Dew Point
- Check Switching Valve(s)
- Change Muffler(s)
- Inspect Desiccant
- Replace pre- and post-filter elements
Triennial PM
A Triennial PM is required every 2 - 5 years of operation, depending on the usage and operating environment. Excessive oil carryover and/ or lack of pre-filter maintenance will reduce the life of the desiccant.
- Monitor Dew Point
- Replace Switching Valve(s)
- Change Muffler(s)
- Replace Desiccant
- Replace pre- and post-filter elements
Oil/Water Separator Maintenance Checklist
Routine Maintenance
- Weekly: Check for visible signs of damage or leaks, monitor flow-through rates and check oil levels in collection containers.
Basic Checks
Basic checks should be performed every 3 – 6 months.
- Check for proper drainage of the condensate drains to the oil/water separator unit,
- Check water level and drain port,
- Check for excessive oil buildup within the oil/water separator unit,
- Perform a basic cleaning
Full PM
A Full PM is required every 6 – 12 months
- Check for proper drainage of the condensate drains to the oil/water separator unit,
- Check water level and drain port,
- Check for excessive oil buildup within the oil/water separator unit,
- Change Absorption and Carbon Element(s),
- Perform a thorough cleaning to remove any residual or bulk oil from the unit
Need Compressed Air System Maintenance Help? Call the Professionals!
Routine maintenance tasks for compressed air equipment may be easy enough to handle in-house, but it’s often beneficial to call in the pros for a full PM service and inspection. Fluid-Aire Dynamics offers expert compressed air services, including inspection, maintenance and 24/7 emergency repair for industrial air compressors and other system components. We provide fast, efficient service within 90 miles of Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit and Philadelphia.
Call 866.433.1401 or contact us online to schedule service!
