What does Gardner Denver shutdown 137 high discharge rate mean?
Short answer: Rapid airend discharge temperature rise. If your Gardner Denver AirSmart controller is showing SHUTDOWN #137 HIGH DISCH RATE, 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?
Temperature at the airend discharge rose abnormally fast, which the manual associates with airend oil injection or oil cooler problems.
Which machines show this?
Gardner Denver rotary screw compressors fitted with the first-generation AirSmart microprocessor controller — a wide range of oil-injected packages, including VFD-equipped variable-speed units where the controller supervises the drive. The first-generation AirSmart reports problems as numbered codes: SHUTDOWN #1xx and #2xx faults that stop the machine, and ADVISORY #3xx warnings that let it keep running while flagging maintenance. That numbering matters when you search — the later AirSmart G2 dropped the numbers and displays plain-text fault names instead, so a numbered code on the screen tells you that you are on the earlier controller. Shutdowns clear with Stop/Reset once the machine has stopped; advisories acknowledge with the Enter key.
What causes it?
- Oil injection to the airend faltering — the manual ties this fault to airend oil injection problems
- Oil level low at the sight glass
- Restricted airflow over fouled coolers
Can you fix it yourself?
Treat this one seriously: verify oil level and clean coolers, then one monitored restart at most. Loss of oil injection can destroy an airend in minutes, so a repeat means shut it down and call immediately.
Step by step — what to try, in order:
- After full cooldown, verify oil level at the sight glass
- Check for restricted airflow over the coolers and clean exterior surfaces
- Press Stop/Reset and restart once while monitoring discharge temperature
When do you need a technician — and why?
Diagnosing oil injection means opening the pressurized oil circuit and checking flow to the airend — specialist work where a wrong guess costs a five-figure airend.
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 SHUTDOWN #137 HIGH DISCH RATE mean on a Gardner Denver AirSmart controller?
Rapid airend discharge temperature rise. Temperature at the airend discharge rose abnormally fast, which the manual associates with airend oil injection or oil cooler problems.
Can I fix SHUTDOWN #137 HIGH DISCH RATE on a Gardner Denver AirSmart controller myself?
Treat this one seriously: verify oil level and clean coolers, then one monitored restart at most. Loss of oil injection can destroy an airend in minutes, so a repeat means shut it down and call immediately.
When does SHUTDOWN #137 HIGH DISCH RATE on a Gardner Denver AirSmart controller need a technician?
Diagnosing oil injection means opening the pressurized oil circuit and checking flow to the airend — specialist work where a wrong guess costs a five-figure airend. Call for service immediately if this recurs — loss of oil injection can destroy the airend quickly.
Verified against service documentation: Gardner Denver AirSmart controller documentation for SHUTDOWN #137 HIGH DISCH RATE (best-aire.com)