Air compressor oil

[dubdoc]

Can anyone steer me to a definitive answer to this question? I have a small compressor used for air tools, tire inflation, etc. (see below) Since I bought it about 5 years ago, it would not start in the winter unless preheated. I decided to service it last fall and did an oil change. All I had was some 10W30 Mobil 1 Synthetic for the car so I used that. Now it will start in ANY weather and at any temperature. Problem solved.
Is it OK to use car oil in a compressor? (I know there are specific compressor oils) Are there any drawbacks?

 

[InjectorService]

No, its supposed to be detergent free oil. Go get some straight 10w detergent free oil.

 

[tom-ky]

They don't recommend it but know of a 30 year old compressor that has survived on it.

 

[Professional Tool User]

No. Don't use multigrade oil. IIRC, my Harbor Freight 21 gal compressor uses 30W oil according to the manual.

 

[The Cobbler]

detergent oil is not recommended for most compressors.
get synthetic compressor oil

 

[sberry]

Mobil 1 is one of the exceptions, it's used all the time in them. Leave it alone. Run it till if and when it grenades.

 

[bob15]

Just go to TSC or NAPA and buy a quart of 30 wt compressor oil. Auto oil might work, but compressor oil has a different additive package designed for compressors, and it's cheap enough, so why not buy it?

 

[rlitman]

Just go to TSC or NAPA and buy a quart of 30 wt compressor oil. Auto oil might work, but compressor oil has a different additive package designed for compressors, and it's cheap enough, so why not buy it?

30wd non-detergent oil does not have an additive package.

 

[kald]

Running Synthetic ISO100(30 wt) compressor oil from Lowes in mine that calls for mobil1 10w30. Like $7.00

Use either.

 

[demarpaint]

I use synthetic 30W air compressor oil. I got a very good deal on Red Line's air compressor oil a while back, it was about $6/quart at the time.

 

[vssjim]

I have been using Milton Synthetic air compressor oil available many places but you can use what you have until changing again and I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[sberry]

The guy has it in it, he has already done the work, drive it.

 

[bsaint]

If it has a filter, detergent oil is OK. If it doesn't and relies on the foreign oil particles settling in the bottom of the sump, then a non detergent is what you need.

 

[SGKent]

edits SAE 15W 40 or 5W 50

 

[cherrybomb]

Get on the Amsoil web site,get some compressor oil from the people that know what their doing.

 

[SGKent]

From the combined manual for the MCX24 which lists the MCV172, which is what it looks like you have. The manual came from www.Manualslib.com. It lists an e-mail address for Consumer inquires of [email protected]. Looking at Archive.org, FIAC is an air compressor manufacturer.

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[scooterbum46]

I've used Mobil Rarus 427 in my early 90's CH 2 stage ( 17 CFM, 175 PSI ,80 gal) since it was new. My local compressor shop (Saylor Beall was his pref, but he was the warranty station for Campbell Hausfield) told me to use any 30 wt non detergent - he also told me the pump wouldn't last 5 years. I did some research and talked to a maintenance guy at a tool and die who recommended the Mobil Rarus series.

Almost 30 years later that "CH junk" is still pumping, and except when I'm out of town, it's on full time in my shop...

 

[SGKent]

The manual for the MCV17 is here https://parts.fiac.it/files/FIAC/VarieSito/DOC/MthgtZMOSwS8VvqfWeV7/1127340826.pdf

The manual for the MCV172 is here https://parts.fiac.it/files/FIAC/VarieSito/DOC/MthgtZMOSwS8VvqfWeV7/1127340826.pdf

They look like they use the same manual, or perhaps they dropped the 2 in 172 in one of their pieces of literature. Since the OP didn't list his model, this is as far as I go. Good luck.

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[engineer2]

Oil with detergent is designed for engines with oil pumps and filters. It keeps particulates in suspension until they can be filtered out.
Non-detergent oil is for devices without an oil pump or filter. **** sinks to the bottom of the sump until the next oil change.

 

[Rural Pundit]

I've just recently changed oil in my Rolair compressor.

Its the first time I've ever changed oil in a compressor.

I researched around the internets and decided to use Royal Purple Synthetic.

It seems to be working fine. It might be a placebo effect, but it seems to be a little quieter as well.

 

[Roberts210]

Use compressor oil.

Here is what the cylinders and head of my '70's era Monkey Ward 20-gallon compressor looked like in 2015 when I took it apart to replace a reed valve. I didn't clean anything up, I just took the picture. This compressor ran compressor oil all it's life.

The trouble with automotive motor oils, is the additives. They make the oil prone to drying out. This picture was of another compressor that had run motor oil for many years. (In addition a small screw got sucked into the intake)

 

[tom-ky]

They don't recommend it but know of a 30 year old compressor that has survived on it.

I guess I should have added that in my new compressor I use the IR All Season oil.

 

[barracudadave67]

Harbor Freight has compressor oil. Ive been using it for years with no ill effects.

Dave

 

[platypus20]

My 80 gallon HD sourced Campbell-Hausfeld compressor manual states that Mobil 1, 10W30 is the specified oil, for medium to heavy usage,

 

[sberry]

Yes, no reason to panic and run out to do anything else just yet. Gonna work just fine like it is.

 

[SGKent]

I'd follow the manual I posted from the manufacturer FIAC. The OP is MIA.

 

[zedbee]

The use of motor oil is not recommended since it might contain some sort of detergents which may be beneficial for combustion engine but can be harmful for air compressor. Instead, use air compressor oil.

 

[Super Mech]

Can non-detergent 30w motor oil for engines be used in an air compressor?
Does it have to state that it is specifically for air compressors?

 

[RickP330]

From my Quincy manual:

 

[theoldwizard1]

IMHO there is insufficient evidence to condemn 100% synthetic detergent engine oil in air compressors pumps. Same is true for small engines.

The correct viscosity for the operating temperature is much more important. 10W-30 is likely adequate for most operating temperatures. Extreme temps (<10F or >90F) require different oil.