Why is my Atlas Copco compressor running hot?
Short answer: Running hot — element outlet or delivery air temperature high. If your Atlas Copco GA 30+-90 / GA 37+ (Elektronikon Touch) is showing Element outlet / delivery air temperature above normal, the controller has logged a specific, documented condition. This page covers what it means, what causes it, what you can safely fix yourself, and when — and why — it takes a technician.
What exactly is the machine telling you?
Documented causes in the GA 37+ instruction book: oil level too low, insufficient cooling air or cooling air temperature too high, oil cooler clogged, bypass (thermostatic) valve malfunctioning, or air cooler clogged.
Which machines show this?
Atlas Copco's current-generation GA 30+ through GA 90 oil-injected rotary screws — the '+' models such as the GA 37+ — carrying the Elektronikon Touch controller with its color touchscreen. These are the newest machines in the GA line, and their instruction books lean on documented cause lists (oil level, cooling air, relay designations like F21, Q15, F15, K25) rather than bare code numbers, so faults often read as plain-language conditions. Practical tip: the manual warns that pressing the emergency stop does not make the compressor voltage-free — any electrical-cabinet check on these machines starts with switching off and locking out the supply, full stop.
What causes it?
- Oil level too low
- Insufficient cooling air or cooling air arriving too hot (poor ventilation, recirculation)
- Oil cooler or air cooler externally clogged with dust
- Thermostatic bypass valve malfunctioning
Can you fix it yourself?
Often, yes — the manual's own cause list starts with oil level, ventilation, and dirty coolers, all of which on-site staff can correct.
Step by step — what to try, in order:
- Check oil level and top up if low
- Check cooling air intake for restrictions and improve room ventilation; prevent hot-air recirculation
- Clean the oil cooler and aftercooler externally
- Recheck temperatures on the controller after the fixes
When do you need a technician — and why?
If temperatures stay high after that, the bypass valve needs bench-testing and the coolers may need internal cleaning — both beyond hand tools and a visual check.
If it does come to a service call and you're in Nashville, TN or Birmingham, AL, we maintain independently compiled lists of local companies that service industrial air compressors — real businesses with verified contact information, none of whom paid to be listed.
Related questions
What does Element outlet / delivery air temperature above normal mean on an Atlas Copco GA 30+-90 / GA 37+ (Elektronikon Touch)?
Running hot — element outlet or delivery air temperature high. Documented causes in the GA 37+ instruction book: oil level too low, insufficient cooling air or cooling air temperature too high, oil cooler clogged, bypass (thermostatic) valve malfunctioning, or air cooler clogged.
Can I fix Element outlet / delivery air temperature above normal on an Atlas Copco GA 30+-90 / GA 37+ (Elektronikon Touch) myself?
Often, yes — the manual's own cause list starts with oil level, ventilation, and dirty coolers, all of which on-site staff can correct.
When does Element outlet / delivery air temperature above normal on an Atlas Copco GA 30+-90 / GA 37+ (Elektronikon Touch) need a technician?
If temperatures stay high after that, the bypass valve needs bench-testing and the coolers may need internal cleaning — both beyond hand tools and a visual check. If temperature is still above normal, have the thermostatic bypass valve tested and the coolers internally cleaned by a service technician.
Verified against service documentation: Atlas Copco GA 30+-90 / GA 37+ (Elektronikon Touch) documentation for Element outlet / delivery air temperature above normal (manualslib.com)