How to Replace the Timing Belt on an Air Compressor

If leaking seals and service bills are distressing your compressor, it's time to face the fix. While air compressors can be as diverse as the individuals that use them, most models share some general characteristics and components. Whether you are inflating your tires or creating empires, eReplacementParts.com provides the parts, procedures and facts you need to fearlessly fix what fails you.

The timing belt transfers power between the motor and the pump on an air compressor. After years of use, the timing belt will begin to deteriorate. Eventually, the belt will break. When this happens, the motor will continue to function normally, but the pump will not build pressure at all.

Less than impressed with your compressor? It may be time to replace the timing belt. This article will show you how to complete the repair like an expert.   THE FACTS | THE FIX | THE FINISH ! DEPRESSURIZE THE AIR TANK.

Always depressurize the tank before servicing an air compressor. To do this, open the drain valve and wait until all of the air (and pressure) has escaped.

  REMOVING THE TIMING BELT [top] 1. Remove the manifold cover.

Remove the retaining screw.

Lift the manifold cover away from the unit.

    2. Remove the pump assembly from the tank.

Remove the front retaining screw.

Remove the rear retaining screw.

Slide the pump assembly to the side.

Lift the pump assembly away from the tank.

Position the pump assembly upon the isolator feet a flat work surface.

    3. Remove the top handle.

Remove the two retaining screws.

Remove the top handle from the pump housing.

    4. Remove the rear pump housing cover.

Remove the three retaining screws.

Remove the rear pump housing cover.

    5. Remove the pump from the housing. FIX TRIX: Make note of the original wiring configuration to simplify installation in later steps.

Use long-nosed pliers to disconnect the front wire from the field.

Use a flat-blade screwdriver to disconnect the ground wire from the pump.

Partially extract the pump from the housing to expose the rear wire connections.

Use long-nosed pliers to disconnect the rear wire from the field.

Rotate and slide the pump assembly away from the housing.

    6. Detach the connecting rod from the pulley.

Insert a screwdriver between the spokes of the pulley and the side of the connecting rod to prevent the pulley from spinning.

Use a Torx driver to loosen the connecting rod retaining bolt.

Remove the retaining bolt.

Detach the connecting rod from the pulley.

  7. Remove the timing belt.

Use long-nosed pliers to remove the timing belt from the large pulley.

Remove the timing belt from the small pulley; remove from unit.

  INSTALLING THE NEW TIMING BELT [top] 8. Install the new timing belt.

Loop the new timing belt around the small pulley.

Partially install the timing belt onto the large pulley.

Complete installation by "rolling" the timing belt onto the large pulley.

  REASSEMBLING THE UNIT [top] 9. Reinstall the connecting rod.

Align the connecting rod with the center of the pulley.

Install the retaining bolt.

Secure the connecting rod to the pulley (use a screwdriver to bind the pulley during tightening).

  10. Reinstall the pump into the housing.

Partially install the pump into the housing.

Reconnect the rear (white) wire to the field terminal.

Align the feet on the compressor pump with the grooves in the housing and slide the pump fully into position within the housing.

Reconnect the front (yellow) wire to the field terminal.

Reconnect the ground (green) wire to the pump and secure it with the screw.

    11. Reinstall the rear housing cover.

Install the rear portion of the pump housing.

Secure the housing cover with the three screws.

    12. Reinstall the top handle.

Install the top handle to the pump housing.

Secure the top handle with the two screws.

    13. Reinstall the pump assembly.

Align the entire pump assembly with the compressor tank.

Slide the pump assembly into place upon the isolator feet.

Secure the pump to the tank with the rear mounting screw.

Secure the pump to the tank with the front mounting screw.

    14. Reinstall the manifold cover.

Install the manifold cover.

Secure the manifold cover with the screw.

  THE FACTS | THE FIX | THE FINISH

A well-maintained air compressor can mean the difference between performance under pressure, and under-pressured performance. But you don't have to empty your pockets to keep your air tank full. As you just learned, repairing your compressor is simpler than you think, especially when you follow our step-by-step guides. Not only did you refresh compression at a fraction of the cost of replacement; you have inflated your ability to fearlessly face the next fix, regardless of the pressure involved. Find your next fix here.   [top]