Air Compressor gets really Hot - boiling Oil ?

[MEFISTO]

Hello ppl, im new in here posting, always reading the posts

i just bought this Air Compressor, its a Alltrade Trade Pro 5HP (3hp) 30 Gallon
it was a Display product from O'Reilly, i got it new, never used
only dirt and had some rust from keeping in stored for 1 year (humidity)

The thing is, when i got this was Oil Empty, so i bought some air compressor oil at harbor freight (1st fast option i had to make it run)
This is 2nd day, i tried to use today and got some Burn Smell/little smoke and oil looks that way (see first photo)

Dont know much about Air compressors...so i ask you guys

https://scontent-lax.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1511007_10153134099723320_3419123454492738873_n.jpg?oh=7f6989ab6ccd6fbc70b47d31cc34a212&oe=55B6BF0F

 

[kams1973]

That's air in the oil. Quite normal.

 

[A_Pmech]

Welcome to GJ!

Air compressors get hot as a consequence of the physics of compressing air and the conversion of mechanical energy into heat though friction.

When an air compressor is running, it aerates the crankcase oil to some degree by whipping it into a froth.

 

[Lx460]

Air compressors get hot. You're likely smelling the paint curing on the cylinder. I'm sure it will diminish with time.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

Just to make sure, did you buy air COMPRESSOR oil or air TOOL oil?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[larry_g]

Did the machine have a recommended break-in procedure in the manual, and did you follow it? Typically you run them for some time with the vent open to prevent building of pressure. Just like breaking a new rebuilt engine.

The heat of compression is normal. Check out how a compression ignition engine works.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[e30bradley]

My air compressor runs cooler now that I changed the oil. I used mobil 1 (car oil) synthetic. 5w30 iirc.

 

[MEFISTO]

oh men, so many answers, THANKS !
I know they get hot, because engine, but the burn smell.. different than
paint burn on exhaust, x example
it gives me the idea piston/ring is burning inside, I stop using since yesterday

Just to make sure, did you buy air COMPRESSOR oil or air TOOL oil?

Yes, I got the Air Compressor Oil (harbor has both together)
common mistake I believe

Did the machine have a recommended break-in procedure in the manual, and did you follow it?

Nope, because I thought it was already started for the 1st time before I got it
I don't know if it helps, but I will re-do it just in case

Thanks to all for the help!

 

[MEFISTO]

UPDATE:

I just did the ''break-in procedure'' anyway, just in case
after that, I changed oil
running normal, no smell..no smoke.. no extreme Heat

The problem I believe was... STUPIDITY
yes.. im sure it was me, why u may ask?
Because im running this in my backyard Storage, and I worried about sound
and not being annoying to my neighbors, so I put Air Compressor inside storage
and trying to get even lower the DB level... I added a Carton Box over the motor
Great idea!
uhm..

today I remove that, use like 20 mins..all normal
so.. hit me pls

Thanks for all Answers !!!

 

[AP514]

LOL..live and learn....

 

[theoldwizard1]

My air compressor runs cooler now that I changed the oil. I used mobil 1 (car oil) synthetic. 5w30 iirc.

EXCELLENT SUGGESTION !


Non-synthetic oils will start to break down and smoke somewhere between 250-300F. Synthetics (like Mobil 1) will go past 300F, some much higher.


"Turbine oil" or special "compressor oil" is really not needed any more. Modern, full synthetic, engine oils have appropriate anti-foaming additive to make them acceptable for all oil lubed compressors. Stick with the viscosity recommended by the pump manufacturer. If it calls for straight 30W, 5W30 or 10W30 is acceptable.

 

[bsaint]

I dont think you're compressor will get near 250F.

I would never run synthetics in a compressor unless recommended by the manufacturer.

 

[404]

UPDATE:

I just did the ''break-in procedure'' anyway, just in case
after that, I changed oil
running normal, no smell..no smoke.. no extreme Heat

The problem I believe was... STUPIDITY
yes.. im sure it was me, why u may ask?
Because im running this in my backyard Storage, and I worried about sound
and not being annoying to my neighbors, so I put Air Compressor inside storage
and trying to get even lower the DB level... I added a Carton Box over the motor
Great idea!
uhm..

today I remove that, use like 20 mins..all normal
so.. hit me pls

Thanks for all Answers !!!

Hey at least the carton over the motor did not catch fire.

 

[shampoop]

"Turbine oil" or special "compressor oil" is really not needed any more. Modern, full synthetic, engine oils have appropriate anti-foaming additive to make them acceptable for all oil lubed compressors. Stick with the viscosity recommended by the pump manufacturer. If it calls for straight 30W, 5W30 or 10W30 is acceptable.

You ever read any proof of this? Any literature? It would be great to not have to keep a bottle of compressor oil around or worry about buying it.