The air-oil separator element removes oil from the compressed air before it leaves a lubricated screw compressor. Over time the element loads up, raising differential pressure and eventually allowing oil carryover into the air system.
Replacement signs
- Rising pressure drop across the separator
- Oil in the compressed air or filters
- Increasing oil consumption
- Service hours reached
Replacement
Isolate and depressurise the machine, remove the old element and clean the separator housing, then fit a genuine replacement with new seals. Check that no debris falls into the discharge line before reassembly.
After replacement
Run the compressor and confirm the pressure drop returns to normal and no oil appears at the filters. Log the hours and the differential pressure so the next change is planned from actual data rather than guesswork.