diagnosing oil seperator problems

[paul pursehouse]

Is there a simple way to determine an oil seperator problem,
a while back had an open drive compressor fail,replaced the compressor and had irregular oil level in the compressor sight glass.found temperature difference across the inlet and outlet of the oil seperator so replaced it as well feeling it may have been a possible cause for compressor failure.is this a good thing to do or should I have done something else

[abet_meneses]

paul pursehouse.

feel the return pipe to crankcase if it is cold it means no oil flow.block strainer or defective oil regulating valve.are there sight glass on the unit?

regards,

[US Iceman]

Paul,

Where did you feel this temperature difference? Across the gas inlet and outlet or some other place?

To feel a noticeable temperature difference I would have to assume liquid is present in the oil separator. The gas temperature should have been relatively uniform...