Air Compressor Questions

[Rich M.]

Never owned an oil compressor, so I have a couple questions.

My garage, where I store my compressor, gets pretty cold in the winter, will the cold temperatures cause an issue at start up? Also, our garage is only used for my workshop and storage, will an oil filled compressor leave an oil smell in the air?

 

[Stadger]

No, and no.

 

[The Cobbler]

oil when cold can/will cause hard starts. recommended to use fully synthetic or lighter weight oil in winter months.

there won't be any oil smell in the air from your compressor, unless it's got a lot of blow by, even then it will be negligible

 

[Lelandwelds]

If there was an oil smell, it would be inside the tank. Your compressor is tougher than you. If you can be comfortable, it will hang in there. Drain the water so it wont freeze. You will welcome the relative quiet.

Synthetic compressor oil is great stuff for extreme temps. Changing your compressor oil is nearly as important as changing your car oil.

 

[Bretny]

Temp really dosnt matter. My father kept his 30gal in the uninsulated section of the attic. Super hot in the summer and below freezing for months in the winter. It died due to a hole in the tank. I dont remember him changing the oil at all.

When we took that 30gal compressor down from the attic after 15yrs it was filled with 20gal of water...guess he forgot to do that too.

 

[Kaizen]

I must have crappy compressors. My ten gallon in freezing temps will just barely turn over and then it’s ok once going. Was using it to frame garage in 20 degree weather and it was a no go. Going to have to try that synthetic.
Like a car if there are any issues it will show when cold. Last winter my belt slipped in the cold but was fine after changing it.
One other issue I had on my 60gal was water. Before I added pipe to control moisture I had the hose coming right from the regulator at the tank. I had water getting to my tools when using for a long time and they would freeze up.


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[sberry]

If there was an oil smell, it would be inside the tank. Your compressor is tougher than you. If you can be comfortable, it will hang in there. Drain the water so it wont freeze. You will welcome the relative quiet.

Synthetic compressor oil is great stuff for extreme temps. Changing your compressor oil is nearly as important as changing your car oil.

A comp doesn't have fuel contamination. I have a couple I have never changed and never will. Oil has gotten better but I have seen several with same oil for 40 years and look like new.