Breaking in Compressor on Synthetic

[PoorOwner]

We know it's debatable for car engines, but it is ok to use Synthetic (redline PolyComp 30 Wt) in the Compressor from day one.

I am supposed to run it 20 minutes with tank bleeding out.

[SteveU]

I asked that question when I got my compressor this summer & was told to run the breakin oil for 20-50 hrs before changing to synthetic. Mine didn't say anything about bleeding the tank so it ran & pressured up just like normal from the get go. Problem I had was with the cost of the compressor then the cost of the pipe all I had was an air chuck for a while before I got money to buy tools, can't get much runtime on a 5hp 80 gal compressor just filling tires. Changed mine over at probably 20 hrs & haven't had any problems with it.

[MXtras]

That's pretty standard procedure - run in the rings without a load.

Scott

[the dude]

I was also told to run in on the dyno oil for around 20 hours I think, before switching to synthetic.

Devair 5hp two stage, if it makes a difference.

[Junkman]

I have a Quincy, and I asked this question of the tech guy at the factory. He said specifically not to use synthetic oil. Only a 30 weight or the factory approved oil, but nothing else. Since he didn't say that I had to use only there oil, I believe that he was being honest about his answer.

[bmwpower]

I would think it may depend on the compressor type. Splash lubricated pumps would probably be able to take synthetic oil since the crankcase is not pressurized resulting in less blowby due to the smaller oil molecules.

Pressure lubricated pumps like Junkman's Quincy have pressurized (shocker) pumps. The synthetic oil in these pumps would be more likely to produce significant blowby since not only is the oil pressure pushing the oil into the cylinder, but the small synthetic oil molecules are making an easier job of it.

[PoorOwner]

Mine is a cast iron V pump 2 stage I am quite sure it is a splash lubrication, I studied the parts diagram before buying and it doesn't have oil galleys or tubes.

How do you keep track of your hours do you guys have an hourmeter?

[1320stang]

I've been told not to use synthetic because it reacts with plastic globes on filters and weakens them. A friend of mine worked in a big shop that got a new compressor, it said in the instructions not to use synthetic oil, but the tech from the place that sold it to them put synthetic in it anyway, I don't know if this was after a breakin period or not. Two days later another tech was pulling the compressor and installing a new one, the other tech was no longer with the company. I forget the size, but it was a big screw type or rotary compressor, many thousands of dollars.

I called DeVilbiss, the manufacturer of my 2 stage Delta compressor I got at Sam's Club. The instructions talked about 30W compressor oil, which I couldn't specifically find locally, although I didn't check any commercial compressor shops. They said 30W non detergant oil was fine.

[KingPerformance]

:headscrat Just put the oil in and be done with it. There is nothing in synthetic oil that will harm anything other then a wankle engine. Since no one here has adapted the pepto bottle in the pizza box to their tank just put the synthetic oil in it.

At a previous shop I worked for we put synthetic oil in our Bel Aire after the manufacture told us that synthetic oil is strictly forbid in the unit ... oh, it was also locked up and needed to be replaced. I Overfilled the unit with synthetic, 10 years later it still runs. And it was Mobile 1 20w50. I wouldn't recomend doing what we did, but running the apropriate weight oil as a synthetic lubricant will be fine. I put synthetic oil in expensive twin screw compressors every day ... they just say Kenny Bell, Whipple, Auto Rotor on them instead.

[Charles (in GA)]

Most polycarbonate type plastic bowls on water seperators and oilers have stickers on them warning that certain synthetic oils will cause deterioation of the plastic.

Bottom line, go with what the manufacturer requires for warranty. My C-H made Husky called for Mobil I for continouts duty use, so that is what I put in, haven't had any problems yet, 3 1/2 years later.

Charles

[eschoendorff]

Most polycarbonate type plastic bowls on water seperators and oilers have stickers on them warning that certain synthetic oils will cause deterioation of the plastic.

Bottom line, go with what the manufacturer requires for warranty. My C-H made Husky called for Mobil I for continouts duty use, so that is what I put in, haven't had any problems yet, 3 1/2 years later.

Charles
What he said. Just follow the instructions. :beer:

[63Chevy]

What he said. Just follow the instructions. :beer:

I agree, look at the instructions with your compressor. I got the 7hp(3.2peak) 60gal Husky and it says either compressor oil or Mobil 1 Synth. which I will be using.