JG-JGA Maintenance & Repair Manual – Maintenance
Oil Strainer
An oil strainer installed upstream of the pump
prevents debris from entering the pump and
damaging it. Ariel supplies a 30 mesh (595
microns) or 40 mesh (400 microns) on all frames,
depending on frame size. It is located on the
auxiliary end of the crankcase below oil level.
Remove the strainer basket and wash it in an
appropriate solvent whenever lubricating oil is
changed.
JG:JGA compressors maintain oil pressure with a
spring-loaded safety relief valve within the pump
head (see Figure: Typical Lube Oil Pump ). With
the unit running at minimum operating speed
and the frame lube oil at operating temperature,
170°F (77°C), remove the dust cap to expose the
safety relief valve adjustment screw and set it so
the pressure gauge on the clean side of the oil
filter reads 60 psig (4.1 barg).
When installing a new oil pump on a compressor
or after maintenance on an existing oil pump,
Ariel recommends priming the pump (wetting
the gears with oil) before start-up to ensure
proper operation. Upon compressor start-up
after oil pump replacement, oil pressure should
immediately reach 50-60 psi. If oil pressure fails
to reach 50-60 psi immediately, shut down the
compressor and correct the problem. Dry oil
pump gears sometimes contribute to the
problem.
ARIEL CORPORATION | www.arielcorp.com
01/27/2023
Oil Pump & Regulating Valve
The oil pump constantly supplies oil to all journal
bearings, bushings, and crosshead sliding
surfaces. The crankshaft drives it by a chain and
sprocket to provide adequate oil flow to bearings
when the compressor operates at the minimum
speed rating (typically half of maximum rated
speed).
Figure: Typical JG:JGA Lube Oil Pump
1 Discharge
2 Safety Relief Valve
3 Dust Cap
4 Suction
Smaller compressor models have
threaded suction/discharge connections.
Oil Cooler
An oil cooler is required to remove heat from the
frame lube oil. When sizing an oil cooler, consider
temperature and flow rate of both cooling
medium and lube oil. Insufficient cooling water
flow rate is the primary cause of high oil
temperatures. Mount cooler as close to the
compressor as possible with piping of adequate
size to minimize pressure drop of both lube oil
and cooling medium.
The Application Manual lists required cooling
water temperature and flow rate to properly cool
oil with Ariel supplied coolers. The Ariel
Performance Program lists oil heat rejection data
for each frame in the frame details section
(contact Ariel for details).
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