Troubleshooting an Air Impact Wrench Not Working
If you have ever used an air impact wrench the likelihood is that at some point it will not work as intended. Due to the enormous stress the tool will encounter and the environment in which it operates the tool may at some point not work correctly.
If the tool is under warranty the best option would be to return it to the manufacturer and get a replacement. If this is not a viable solution then you may want to troubleshoot the problem yourself. IF you want to replace the tool checkout our buyers guide here.
Troubleshooting the reason for the air impact wrench not working can be difficult so I going to list the main problems you may encounter.
- Slow Running
- Moisture
- Slow Impact
Slow Running Air Impact Wrench or Refusing to Run at All
If you have noticed that your impact wrench refuses to run or begins to slow down it could be down to the following reasons:
- Before you begin disassembling the air tool have look to see whether the tool is receiving the correct air pressure from the compressor. Examine the gauge on the air compressor to measure the air pressure. If on examination you find the pressure is insufficient, your impact wrench is not going to function properly. Sometimes the lack of pressure can be down to a poorly connected air hose, so ensure the air hose from the compressor is fixed firmly and that no leaks are present. If your not sure about air compressor requirements read our article about air impact wrench compressor requirements.
If you have found that the compressor is working correctly and the air pressure is correct then the slow running could be caused by the following reasons
- Most air impact wrenched are operated in environments where the tool is exposed to oil, dust and grit. When dust and grit enter the tool and the deposits grow they can cause an impact wrench to operate excessively slowly. These deposits can slowly gum up the lubricating oil used in the tool. To get rid of the oil deposits and grits, flush the air impact wrench using grease and cleaning agents that have been recommended by the manufacturer. Once the tool is cleaned ensure you lubricate it correctly.
- Another likely reason for your tool’s slow running is there may be a mechanical problem. In such a case you may have to take it to a workshop to get repaired. Generally parts that are prone to wear include the bearings and rotor blade inside the motor. Change the parts which are worn out and test the air impact wrench. Correctly maintaining the air impact wrench can increase its reliability for longer.
Air Impact Tool Emits Moisture
On some occasions you may turn your impact wrench on and fins that some moisture comes from the tool. It is important to get this resolved quickly since water contamination in your air impact wrench can have detrimental effects on the performance and life of the tool. Here are a few simple reasons this may happen:
- Encountering moisture can indicate that water may be present inside the air compressor tank. This can be quite common since most people do not drain the air tank on a regular basis and since free air contains water vapor it can quickly fill the tank. To extract this water from the tank, unfasten the air compressor tank and drain out the water. To drain the water you will need to find the drain valve which should be located in the lowest part of the tank.
- If you have examined the air tank and found no water another likely cause is that water is present in the air hoses or air lines connected to your tool. Again you can drain the hoses. You can fix a separator or water filter on the hoses to reduce the chance of water making it into the hoses in the first place.
Lack of Impact
The most common reason for an air impact wrench having a slow impact is down to poor maintenance. An air impact wrench should be lubricated with oil on a regular basis
If you inspected an air impact tool under a microscope you would see it has machine polished surfaces that are the same as those on the cylinders in your car’s engine. Foreign bodies such as water, dirt can quickly attack these surfaces leading to wear to your motor, thereby reducing the tools performance and the overall life.
Correctly lubricating the impact wrench will help prevent condensation reaching the machined surface of the tool, reducing the prospect of rust developing.