Air Compressor Oil Type?

[biscuit141]

So I have read on the forum many times that I should use a 20 weight non-detergent type of oil in my compressor, however on a sticker that is on the back of the tank, it tells me to use 10w40 oil. it doesn't specify non-detergent (not sure what 10w40 is) but I'm not sure what to use now as I don't want to mess up the compressor. i just got this thing used and what to change the oil before I put it into service.

 

[Zrexxer]

Never seen a compressor manufacturer recommend a multi-vis oil before, what kind is it?

 

[Tom2]

Mine (CH rebadged as Husky, 80 gal 2 stage, few months old) recommends Mobile 1 5W30 or 10W30 synthetic. I ended up just getting the compressor oil from HD. Price was the same, or cheaper.

"Fill pump with single-viscosity,
ISO100, non-detergent, compressor
oil. Recommended ST126700AV compressor
oil or Mobil 1® 5W30 or 10W30
synthetic oil may also be used."

 

[biscuit141]

Never seen a compressor manufacturer recommend a multi-vis oil before, what kind is it?

It is an older CH model. 20 gal/3hp. It sounds like using compressor oil is the safest bet. I don't think it can hurt. Any recommendations on places that sell it and how much is a good price? How many quarts do they typically take? Maybe one?

 

[Zrexxer]

I've run Mobil Rarus 427 Reciprocating Compressor Oil in my 60 gal CH for years. I get it from Enco.

 

[Gary S]

My compressors both call specifically for "compressor oil", so that is what I put in them. If yours calls for 10W-40, I'd use it or whatever they call for. Who knows better than the manufacturer?

 

[atari]

I just dumped 30 weight non-detergent in mine last night. Hopefully it will run tonight.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Mine called for "any full synthetic 20W50 oil". I put Harley SYN3 in it. It runs like champ...

 

[biscuit141]

My compressors both call specifically for "compressor oil", so that is what I put in them. If yours calls for 10W-40, I'd use it or whatever they call for. Who knows better than the manufacturer?

Is 10w30 a detergent oil? I'm not sure what the difference is.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Most compressors spec out non detergent straight weight oil (either 20W or 30W). I change mine every 6 months or so and run 20W in the winter and 30W in the summer because my compressor lives in an unheated area. As for me, I use Quincy SynQuin oil and Quincy oil filters. The dealer near me sells me oil and filters for box store prices so I never looked anywhere else.

 

[Zrexxer]

Is 10w30 a detergent oil? I'm not sure what the difference is.

10w30 is a viscosity specification and doesn't have anything to do with detergent/nondetergent, BUT... Multi-vis oils are specifically designed for internal combustion engines, so I sincerely doubt there are any nondetergent multiviscosity oils.

 

[biscuit141]

OK, I went to CH's site and looked in the FAQ, I also looked up the manual for my compressor. Both of them say to use either SAE 30 non-detergent compressor oil or full synthetic 10w30 automotive oil (the manual specified Mobil 1, but not the website). Sounds like I just need to find some SAE 30 compressor oil. I know it usually sells in pints, how much should I expect to pay per pint, ballpark?

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

OK, I went to CH's site and looked in the FAQ, I also looked up the manual for my compressor. Both of them say to use either SAE 30 non-detergent compressor oil or full synthetic 10w30 automotive oil (the manual specified Mobil 1, but not the website). Sounds like I just need to find some SAE 30 compressor oil. I know it usually sells in pints, how much should I expect to pay per pint, ballpark?

If you have an O'Reilly's auto parts nearby they are running a sale on Mobile 1 for $4.99 a bottole until the end of may...

 

[Gary S]

Amsoil has SAE20 or SAE40 synthetic compressor oil available by the quart. Pick up your phone book and call any local Amsoil dealer to get some.
Synthetics are superior oils for any kind of lubricating. Your compressor is worth the extra dollar.

 

[biscuit141]

If you have an O'Reilly's auto parts nearby they are running a sale on Mobile 1 for $4.99 a bottole until the end of may...

Should I be concerned about using and Automotive spec synthetic oil? Aren't there detergents in there that will harm the compressor?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Mine (CH rebadged as Husky, 80 gal 2 stage, few months old) recommends Mobile 1 5W30 or 10W30 synthetic. I ended up just getting the compressor oil from HD. Price was the same, or cheaper.

"Fill pump with single-viscosity,
ISO100, non-detergent, compressor
oil. Recommended ST126700AV compressor
oil or Mobil 1® 5W30 or 10W30
synthetic oil may also be used."

CH allows non-synthetic oil to be used, but the fine print tells you that it is not rated for continuous use unless the synthetic oil is used. Regular mineral oils relegate the compressor to a intermittent duty status.

Charles

 

[biscuit141]

CH allows non-synthetic oil to be used, but the fine print tells you that it is not rated for continuous use unless the synthetic oil is used. Regular mineral oils relegate the compressor to a intermittent duty status.

Charles

It won't be continuous use anyway, but if synthetic is better then I might as well use that.

 

[biscuit141]

Amsoil has SAE20 or SAE40 synthetic compressor oil available by the quart. Pick up your phone book and call any local Amsoil dealer to get some.
Synthetics are superior oils for any kind of lubricating. Your compressor is worth the extra dollar.

It specified SAE 30, so which one should I get if I go with Amsoil?

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Should I be concerned about using and Automotive spec synthetic oil? Aren't there detergents in there that will harm the compressor?

I'm not sure. I went by the paperwork that came with my compressor. The only guideline it gave was "any fully synthetic 20W50". I figured if the fully synthetic SYN3 20W50 was good enough for my air cooled Ultra, it should be good enough for my stationary air cooled compressor. It seems to be fine and I haven't had any issues...

I think you will be fine if your manual suggests Mobile 1. That sale at O-Reilly's I mentioned is a good buy, so that's why I threw that out there.

 

[Indy_500]

my good ole montgomery ward calls for 10w30. i just put that in and she runs good for me.

 

[yiranhu]

Funny this is posted. Just bought a old CH compressor (220V 15A 2Cyl). It says on the label use 10w-40 oil... Now I'm wondering if I should use ND 30 in it instead...

 

[moparmuscle88]

5-w30, at least thats what everything ive had said to use

 

[biscuit141]

OK I just picked up a quart of SAE 30 non-detergent oil from O'reilly Auto Parts. It was only $4.99 and formulated for air compressors and the correct weight, so I figured it was a safe bet. Here is the link to the company's website.

http://www.agscompany.com/products.php?line=5&category=19&subcat=99&product=246

 

[biscuit141]

Funny this is posted. Just bought a old CH compressor (220V 15A 2Cyl). It says on the label use 10w-40 oil... Now I'm wondering if I should use ND 30 in it instead...

Any pics of your new (to you) compressor?

 

[Lhorn]

do you fill until it reaches the middle of the sight glass with the compressor off?

 

[biscuit141]

do you fill until it reaches the middle of the sight glass with the compressor off?

Mine doesn't have a sight glass. It has a horizontal drain plug at the base and a vertical fill plug higher up at the top of the base. I filled it until oil reached the bottom of the fill hole while the compressor was flat and not running. This is how I've always filled gear boxes on equipment like mower decks, so if this isn't right someone please correct me.

 

[Tim Cowan]

You ought to be good with the O'Riley oil. I use the 20w non-detergent. It will permit any impurties to settle to the bottom of unit and not be suspended in the oil as it runs. Just be sure to check your level regularly and fill it until the oil starts to run out of the side hole.

 

[nate379]

Most compressors aren't too fussy. As long as the oil can flow and there is some in there, it should be just fine. My Dad has an old Sears compressor from the early 1960s. He changed the oil once in it when he rebuilt the pump (valve broke)

 

[Tom2]

The instructions on mine say to fill to the middle of the site glass. However, all the new ones in the store are filled almost to the very top of the site glass. So I split the difference and filled mine about 3/4-7/8 of the way to the top..

 

[yiranhu]

Any pics of your new (to you) compressor?

Currently don't have a camera where the compressor is. I'll see if I can snag a pic later. But it's a 10+years old 30 gal portable CH, with twin cylinders and a 220V 15amp motor. Output is about 10 CFM at 90. The tank was a little rusty outside so I wirewheeled it and sprayed some rustoleum primer+red glossy paint on it. Now it looks like a husky

 

[mbret2004]

Run the viscosity the owners manual specs. As stated, the manufacturer made the compressor they should know best how to lube it. As far as oil brand I would say it's your choice. My Quincy QT-5 has had a steady diet of Red Line 20 or 30-weight oil depending on season. It has run 10-hours a day six days of the week for the
last 15-years and I haven't had any issues with it.
A little TLC goes a long way.

 

[sberry]

Its not a fussy machine, oil in it is good and the user really wont know much difference, it holds a quart, the auto parts compo oil is fine, lighter weights for cold climes but The Amsoil comp oil is probably about the best and would likely be good for the life of the unit on a home comp.

 

[az45]

We use Redline Compressor Oil in about 40 compressors in Arizona.

http://www.redlineoil.com/content/files/tech/Compressor Lubricant Product Data.pdf

 

[sberry]

Funny this is posted. Just bought a old CH compressor (220V 15A 2Cyl). It says on the label use 10w-40 oil... Now I'm wondering if I should use ND 30 in it instead...

Here is the thing. Some o the modern oils were not even invented yet when the listed oil was a standard. A premium oil of today is multiples better than it was when the machine was made.
A modern oil can extend the duty cycle in some cases and has better cold properties than can be made in to a conventional oil. With a pump in sound mechanical condition the fluid could well be good for the life of the unit.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Here is the thing. Some o the modern oils were not even invented yet when the listed oil was a standard. A premium oil of today is multiples better than it was when the machine was made.

You can use a "modern" (API SN, SM) a multi-viscosity (5W20, 10W30) synthetic oil is just about anything (engine, pumps, etc) these days. About the only application that requires something different is high pressure gears (differential) which require a much higher viscosity.

 

[chrispitude]

Just bought a Porter-Cable 30 gallon single-stage:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/porter-cable-portable-belt-drive-air-compressor-30-gal

The oil-change instructions in the manual are as follows:

CHANGING THE OIL

NOTE: Use synthetic blend, nondetergent air compressor oil.
Remove the oil plug (C) (Fig. 7) and drain the oil until it slows to a drip, then
close. Add oil to the pump by first removing the breather plug (E). Add oil until
the level viewed through the sight glass (D) is between FULL (A) and ADD (B)
(approx. 11.35 oz). Never overfill or underfill the pump.

NOTE: The compressor is pre-filled with synthetic oil. Use synthetic blend,
nondetergent air compressor oil.

No weight given. Why would it come with full-synthetic oil, but require a blend after the break-in? Am I going to harm the thing by sticking with full-synthetic?

 

[anndel]

I have a Husky 30 gallon and the owner's manual says use 30 W non-detergent oil or 30W compressor oil. I bought the Husky brand just to be safe.

 

[Roberts210]

Last Fall I took a job out of State and couldn't take my compressor with me, so I bought a used Craftsman 20 gal, 3-H.P. compressor on the local CL for $80. (3 H.P.! Riiiight. More like 1.5 H.P.) I got it from a rental yard, so I knew it had been rode hard over the years. It had a bad "huffing" sound that I finally diagnosed as a broken intake valve, and sure enough when I pulled the head one intake valve was broken. There were thick deposits on the intake valves and also the exhaust valves--from what I've read this would be from people using automotive oil in the compressor instead of non-detergent oil or compressor oil. Anybody agree or disagree? I replaced the valves and just sold the compressor yesterday for $100.

 

[DemoFly]

I can share an anecdotal story here.

My first compressor was a twin-lung Emglo my uncle gave me when I was about 11 or 12. He gave it to me because it was on its last leg. My godfather came over and took a look at it and he put Marvel Mystery Oil in the oil and it must have freed up the piston rings because the compressor ran awesome for years until the motor went out.

Some people say you shouldn't run mult-vis detergent synthetics such as mobil 1 5w30, and to only run compressor oil or non-detergent 30. But in the scenario with my Emglo, detergent made it run better.

 

[CompressorWorld]

Yes, 10w30 non detergent works best for piston compressors.

If the compressor is in an area where the temp changes with the season, It might be a good idea to change the oil and time it with the season, maybe even change the weight of the lubricant as well.