Kaeser K003: Kaeser ASD/BS Series Error Code K003

Symptoms

Airend maintenance timer has reached the service interval, or vibration analysis indicates bearing wear approaching the replacement threshold. The Sigma Control 2 logs a Major alarm.

Possible Causes

Airend runtime hours have reached 24,000-30,000 hours (design life for standard duty)
Vibration velocity on the airend housing exceeds 4.5 mm/s RMS (ISO 10816 warning level)
Oil analysis shows elevated iron and copper particles indicating bearing or coating wear
Discharge temperature trend has risen 10C above baseline, suggesting increased internal clearance

Troubleshooting Steps

Step 1: Review the airend runtime counter on the Sigma Control 2 service menu
If hours exceed 24,000, schedule an airend rebuild or replacement during the next planned shutdown
Step 2: Perform vibration measurements on the airend housing in vertical, horizontal, and axial directions
If any direction exceeds 4.5 mm/s RMS, inspect bearings immediately. At >7.1 mm/s, shut down until repaired
Step 3: Submit an oil sample for particle count and elemental analysis (SOAP test)
If iron exceeds 50 ppm or copper exceeds 20 ppm, plan an airend inspection within 500 hours
Step 4: Compare current discharge temperature to the commissioning baseline recorded in the service log
A 10C rise combined with reduced FAD indicates rotor coating wear and increased blow-by

How to Reset

Reset: After airend rebuild or replacement, reset the airend service timer via Sigma Control 2: Service > Airend > Reset Timer. The vibration alarm clears when RMS drops below 3.5 mm/s.

Common Replacement Parts

6.2000.0: Airend bearing kit, ASD 40 (Drive-end and non-drive-end, SKF 7314 BECBM matched set)
6.2001.0: Airend rotor coating service (Factory recoating with PTFE-based wear layer)
6.2002.0: Airend replacement assembly, ASD 40 (Complete with bearings, seals, and coating)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does an airend last?
24,000-40,000 hours depending on duty cycle, oil quality, and inlet air cleanliness. Clean, cool intake air with regular filter changes extends life significantly.
Q: Can I rebuild the airend in-house?
Only if you have the precision measuring equipment and training. Kaeser recommends factory rebuild or authorized service center rebuild to maintain the 5-year warranty.

Kaeser ASD/BS Series Error Code K003