Finally hooked up My NorthStar 7 horse compressor and noticed a small puff of air coming from the top of the cylinder head. Are these gaskets easy to replace, has anyone ever done one and finally will it damage my pump if I don't fix it soon?

Thanks, Chet

 

If you have a head gasket leaking it will only get worse. It is not too dificult to change with ordinary tools.
When you say the top of the head, normally the top is solid metal. If the gasket were leaking it would blow out the side of the head. Now if a manifold gasket were leaking it could blow upwards.

 

Thanks for getting back to me Fix, yes I misstated the problem, the air is indeed blowing out the side of the cylinder head and not the top. Will have to order a gasket kit from Northern Tool and have at it.

Thanks, Chet

 

The gasket might very well come attached to the valve plate in which case you will have to replace the valve plate also. Still pretty straight forward.