Air blows out the trigger area when i hook it up to the air hose..i guess it needs a gasket of some sort. is it worth taking to a repair shop

what you are doing is not right
take it to an air tool repair shop and have it fixed proeprly

Use a shop vac and suck it all clean, the entire area even down every port, and next time blow the engine clean with compressed air or even a water hose before you begine

Best way is to take it to a shop and have them take the air hose with a blow gun attached. Put the blow gun in the drain hose and squeeze the trigger a couple times real quick should take care of any clogs

Sounds like your gun needs servicing. normally strip, clean and usually fit new O rings to head valve assy, piston & usually sleeve.

Hi app_3rp778
I would suggest that you replace the head gasket, it should not cost too much to replace it.
I would guess the gasket would be around $10-$15 usd
If you replace it yourself it would be very advantageous as the repair cost would only be the gasket.
If you take it to a repair shop, I would guess they would charge around $50-$60 usd for the repair of the compressor and replacement of the gasket
Do some research on the web for your parts or check out the webpage below.
Have the parts sent to your house...will be cheaper to take the part to the repair shop then to have them order it...they normally charge 200% on parts.
Also look at the following webpage for repair of the gasket and some more hints on how to repair a porter cable compressor pancake compressor, it is not your compressor but it will be somewhat like your compressors repair procedures.
Please take time to rate me
Bud
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/porter-cable-cf2600-type-pancake-air-compressor-parts-c-129_1662_2167.html

We used nail guns for years. I still own 6 guns, but they aren't used much anymore.
You have a 'blown head gasket.'
Or there is debris from the air hose that got lodged into the gun.
There is a head gasket and a trigger gasket.
Both can blow out any time from use, lack of oil, or they can stick open from debris.
You can take apart the head and clean it up and add oil to see if that solves problem.
You can order a gun re-build kit for your model and put in the parts yourself.
You can have a nail gun repair shop do the job.

Nail guns require gun oil.
If you don't use gun for a while, oil should be put into air hose opening and then left to run down into gun. More oil is better.
If you use 3-in-1 oil or some oil besides gun oil, then it will corrode the gaskets.
When storing air hose and guns, put tape over openings so they stay clean.
Before hooking air hose to a gun, you can also put a blower on hose and blow out the line first

We used nail guns for years. I still own 6 guns, but they aren't used much anymore.
You have a 'blown head gasket.'
Or there is debris from the air hose that got lodged into the gun.
There is a head gasket and a trigger gasket.
Both can blow out any time from use, lack of oil, or they can stick open from debris.
You can take apart the head and clean it up and add oil to see if that solves problem.
You can order a gun re-build kit for your model and put in the parts yourself.
You can have a nail gun repair shop do the job.

Nail guns require gun oil.
If you don't use gun for a while, oil should be put into air hose opening and then left to run down into gun. More oil is better.
If you use 3-in-1 oil or some oil besides gun oil, then it will corrode the gaskets.
When storing air hose and guns, put tape over openings so they stay clean.
Before hooking air hose to a gun, you can also put a blower on hose and blow out the line first

you need a new trigger assembly TVA6 or if you have a local repair shop they might just have the o ring that is split.

Sounds like the trigger o-ring is damaged, either because of not being oiled frequently, or the pneumatic tool has not been used for a while. O-rings will harden up if not used. Look for a place that sells fasteners, or nails and see if they can put a new o-ring in the trigger asm. for you. If you take the gun to a place where you purchase your nails, they should repair for little or no cost. it is an easy repair if you have the tools, parts, etc.