Air compressor motor quit

[Cadillac STS]

The cap is leaking electrolyte that has attacked the copper parts. Mallory makes good stuff. Probably just time to replace them.

That is what I needed to know. Ordered $12.45 Amazon

 

[Cadillac STS]

One more question while I am learning about motor capacitors.

This motor has been and will be in an unheated pole barn. So for over 10 years it has spent months frozen. Did that lead to the failure?

I do think I got my money’s worth out of it and just an easy fix

 

[WobblyHand]

High temperatures are usually the problem for capacitors. Lower temperatures usually are not. Higher temperatures can cause aging or drying out of the capacitor. You got your money's worth. Under normal operating conditions electrolytic caps can go longer than 15 years. High temps (over 212F, 100C) will reduce the life time. Your new cap will serve you a long time.

 

[hman]

The crud on the capacitor looks like some of the blue smoke tried to escape and got condensed

Anyway, it appears you've zeroed in on the problem (in a timely manner, no damage to the motor), and with a new capacitor you should be good to go. As far as I know, the electrolyte in a capacitor is a pretty heavily loaded solution. So it shouldn't freeze until you get further below zero than even the deepest winter.

 

[Cadillac STS]

Final update, replaced the capacitor with same one and it works fine now.