Leaky compressor regulator

I picked up this California Air Tools (10020C) “ultra quiet” compressor earlier this summer, and absolutely love it! The name isn’t an exaggeration; it is the quietest compressor I have ever heard. Given that I am working in a spare bedroom upstairs, that’s fairly important. I’m already thinking of adding another tank to it though, but that’s something for another day.

Unfortunately today after I charged it up, I found the regulator would start leaking if the regulated pressure was slightly below the tank pressure. It was fine at tank pressure, and fine at pressures well below tank pressure, but failed in that sweet spot where I needed it.

I took it apart and found a tiny spec of debris on the diaphragm. Thankfully it worked as good as new after cleaning it out.