Oil press spare part diagnosis

Press Cylinder, Screw, Press Head or Nozzle? How to Identify Which Spare Part Is Actually Faulty

When an oil press stops performing – output drops, the machine vibrates, or the press cake looks uneven – the immediate question is: is the problem with the screw, the press cylinder, the press head, or the nozzle? This guide shows you how to systematically narrow down the cause without buying unnecessary parts.

1. How the Four Main Components Work Together

Before we get to diagnosis, a brief overview of function: the screw (press screw), press cylinder, press head and nozzle work as a system. The screw transports and compresses the seed inside the press cylinder. The press head – a separate, replaceable component – seals the pressure chamber and directs the compressed material precisely towards the nozzle. The nozzle regulates resistance at the outlet. If any of these four components is worn, it always affects the others as well.

2. Symptoms and Their Most Likely Cause

The table below helps you narrow down the probable source of damage based on the symptoms you observe:

Symptom	Probable Cause	Priority
Oil yield drops noticeably	Worn screw	High
Press cake is moist / greasy	Screw, press head or nozzle	High
Strong vibrations during operation	Damaged / unbalanced screw	Immediate
Oil leaking from the side of the press cylinder	Press cylinder leaking / cracked	High
Oil leaking at the press head junction	Worn or poorly seated press head	High
Uneven press cake	Press cylinder or press head unevenly worn	Medium
Machine jams / blocks	Nozzle too narrow, press head or screw blocked	Immediate
Loud metallic noise	Screw grinding against press cylinder or press head	Immediate
Excessive heat build-up	Nozzle too narrow, press head misaligned or screw overloaded	Medium

3. Visual Inspection: What You Can Spot Without Tools

Inspecting the screw

Remove the screw and lay it on a flat surface. Look for:

• Material loss on the screw flights (visible as flattened sections)
• Scoring or deep scratches along the screw channels
• Visible asymmetry or bending
• Discolouration from overheating (bluish-brown)

Inspecting the press cylinder

Hold the press cylinder up to the light and look through from both sides:

• Cracks or fractures in the wall
• Uneven wear on the inner surface
• Deposits or deformation in the drainage area (holes)

Inspecting the press head

The press head is a separate spare part located at the outlet of the press cylinder. Check:

• Fit and dimensional accuracy: is the press head still sitting firmly and flush?
• Check contact surfaces for wear and uneven abrasion
• Inner surface for scoring, cracks or material loss
• Look for oil traces at the press head junction – a sign of a leaking fit

Inspecting the nozzle

The nozzle is the least expensive spare part and often the first candidate when performance drops:

• Check diameter with a calliper – a worn seat enlarges the opening diameter
• Uneven wear marks on the cone
• Cracks or chips

4. The Diagnostic Checklist: Step by Step

Work through these points in order before ordering spare parts:

1. Check the nozzle first (inexpensive, quick to replace) – does this solve the problem?
2. Check the press head for fit, dimensional accuracy and wear – any oil traces at the junction?
3. Measure the screw for material loss (calliper): deviation >0.5 mm = replacement recommended
4. Check the press cylinder for cracks and ovality
5. Run a test with cleaned and calibrated seed
6. Measure oil yield and compare with reference value

5. Repair or Replace? A Decision Guide

As a rule of thumb: if wear exceeds 10–15% of the original diameter, or if cracks are visible, replacement is more economical than continued operation. A worn part always puts additional strain on the adjacent components.

• Nozzle: almost always replace – low cost, significant effect
• Press head: replace if leakage at the junction, visible material loss or poor fit
• Screw: replace if visible material loss or vibrations are present
• Press cylinder: replace if cracks, significant ovality or leakage are present

6. Model-Specific Notes (IBG Monforts / Komet)

For owners of older IBG Monforts and Komet presses (CA59, D85, DD85, S120F, K-series): original parts have been unavailable since the insolvency in March 2023. Kambas OleoPress supplies compatible spare parts – screws, press cylinders, press heads and nozzles – for all common models, in verified quality and with direct expert advice.

Conclusion

A systematic visual inspection saves time and money. In most cases, the symptoms clearly indicate whether the screw, press cylinder, press head or nozzle is causing the problem. Always start with the least expensive component – the nozzle – and work your way up to the more involved screw replacement. Don’t overlook the press head: as a separate spare part it is frequently missed, yet it is a common cause of leakage and pressure loss.