Campbell Hausfeld Compressor Oil Question

[carguytroy]

I just swapped a family member air compressors and I’m doing some maintenance on it. The oil has never been changed in it so I figured I’d do that, change the air filter, pretty light stuff. I downloaded the manual for it and it’s saying to put 10-30 Mobile 1 in it. It’s a 6hp 60 gallon unit. I always thought car oil was a no no in a compressor. Does that oil sound right?

 

[Hammer1963]

I would go by the recommendations worded in the the manual. I agree that under normal circumstances that it does sound odd, but being that is is a synthetic oil may make a difference. I would look for a web site called "Bob is the oil guy" and see if you can find a reference to this situation. Hopefully someone else can shed some light on this

 

[Boilerhouse]

I also have a 5 hp CH compressor and the manual also states to use Mobil 1 synthetic 10w30. So this is what I use whenever I change the oil, because the manufacturer's know their equipment best, so why should I second guess them.

 

[redmondjp]

Regular synthetic oil is becoming the new standard compressor pump oil, at least for consumer-grade compressors. I've switched a couple of my older compressors over to it myself (with the "use only 30W non-detegergent" label on them), and two years in, much easier starting when cold, and no problems thus far. I'll post an update if a pump goes kablooey.

 

[carguytroy]

Okay sounds like that’s the package. I see they have like 5 types of 10-30 so I just bought the regular 10-30 rather than the stuff for high mileage cars etc. I’ll put it in and let er rip. Thanks guys for your input. Truly appreciate it.

 

[scooterbum46]

Bought a CH 5 Hp, 80 Gallon, 17 CFM IN 1992. I was told by the local CH warranty shop to skip the manual's recommendation and go with Mobil Rarus 427 compressor oil.. I change the oil on a regular basis, leave it on 24 x 7, still pumping away 27 years later.

 

[clubairth]

If the oil has never been changed I would plan on changing it.
Then run it for some hours and change again. Mine was pretty black and the second change did clear up the oil visually.

As was posted up thread I also noticed much easier starting after putting in Mobil 1 oil.
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[darkzero]

I've always wondered why newer compressors say to use motor oil. All the air compressors I've owned say to use non-detergent (usually 30wt). As I understand it you would use a non-detergent oil so the dirty particles aren't suspended in the oil rather than a car engine that has a filter to filter out the oil.

My guess is cause many places don't sell non-detergent oil anymore. Around here it's been years since I've seen non-detergent oil at local auto parts stores. I just order it online now. I've been using Amsoil compressor oil. Yeah I know, stupid expensive but I change the oil every 2 yrs. I'll may switch to something else next time.

 

[jkherd]

I use the 10 w 30 Mobil one synthetic as recommended by the manual.

 

[Wrench97]

In the fleet shop we always used 15-40 diesel oil that compressor was there when I got there in 85 and was still there when I left last year...................