Compressor oil recommendation...

[burgie]

Greetings folks...

As I near completion of my air compressor restoration (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131606), I would like to know if anyone has used Royal Purple Synfilm Recip. 100 lubricant in the compressor pump crankcase?

If so, how does it perform? If not, what is the best recommended oil to use?
I recall reading that straight 30 weight oil is the norm...but am not sure?

Since my compressor pump is a full rebuild it will have new bearings and rings but the cylinders were in amazing shape (still showing the original cross hatch pattern) and not bored or honed during the rebuild/overhaul.

Any advise would certainly be appreciated!!!

Thanks much folks!!!

 

[sberry]

Yes, I use that in my comps, time to give my main one the 5 or 10 yr change.

 

[chadster1]

I would use Amsoil compressor oil.

http://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?GroupID=68&zo=1929445

 

[5lima30]

I just changed the oil in one I just picked up. I used the IR synthetic.

 

[sberry]

Yes, any of the major synth comp oils would be fine. Only reason I used the purple was it was handy from the parts store.

 

[burgie]

Thanks for the inputs so far, folks!! I am not necessarily concerned about which brand...but rather that the oil meets the requirements for a compressor.

So it seems that either Amzoil, Royal Purple, IR, etc. synthetic would all work...just boils down to local availability and price?

Thanks...and I'm sure others will chime in with their preferences...which, of course, will be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks again folks!!!

 

[PT Doc]

I would use what the manufacturer recommended. They would put on what they think I'd best, no?

 

[coldfusion21]

Or Rarus 427.

As mentioned any synth compressor oil should be fine.

 

[burgie]

OK...so to add to the discussion:

Do I purchase synthetic, which is more money, and change it less frequently?

---or---

Do I purchase SAE 30 non-detergent, which is significantly cheaper, and just do more fluid changes?

I am quite diligent on maintenance and will have an hour meter on the compressor so I can track hours for the 1st minute I turn it on post-restoration...

Just thought I'd throw that out there...

 

[darkzero]

With any compressor oil you'll be fine *** long as you keep it clean.

I was going to go with Royal Purple until I found out Amsoil made compressor oil. Then I saw an article with oil tests which then convinced me to order the Amsoil. May not find in a local retail store but chances are there is an Amsoil dealer near you & if you order online you'd probably receive it in only a day or two.

 

[sberry]

The synth is far superior especially in this application, it takes a LONG time for the home/hobby types to put 500 hrs on a comp. I don't have a clue how many hours are on mine, its used daily, I would assume way above 1000 hrs, maybe a couple, its been years since I change it. If I can remember this winter on a blizzard day I am going to do it. Its not the same as an internal combustion engine, no soot, etc. Main enemy is water, if a guy is losing any sleep over changes in this machine with synth oil he is obsessive/compulsive and should seek medical help.

 

[chadster1]

With any compressor oil you'll be fine *** long as you keep it clean.

I was going to go with Royal Purple until I found out Amsoil made compressor oil. Then I saw an article with oil tests which then convinced me to order the Amsoil. May not find in a local retail store but chances are there is an Amsoil dealer near you & if you order online you'd probably receive it in only a day or two.

There is an Amsoil dealer on this forum. Click on the link in my sig. My site will take you to the Amsoil online store and you can order anything in the Amsoil line.

 

[PT Doc]

The synth is far superior especially in this application, it takes a LONG time for the home/hobby types to put 500 hrs on a comp. I don't have a clue how many hours are on mine, its used daily, I would assume way above 1000 hrs, maybe a couple, its been years since I change it. If I can remember this winter on a blizzard day I am going to do it. Its not the same as an internal combustion engine, no soot, etc. Main enemy is water, if a guy is losing any sleep over changes in this machine with synth oil he is obsessive/compulsive and should seek medical help.

Well stated.

I too put an hour meter to track things but to have a rough idea of hours of a maintenance schedule and a warranty issue would arise.

Are all oils similar enough that a manufacturer would hasn't no leg to stand on to refuse warranty work? Kind of like cars I guess?

 

[sberry]

I would say all the majors are. As a side note some of these comps are rated 60% duty cycle with dino but they go to 100% with synths,,, so I would say they worth the big money especially when we talking about a quart that has a 500 hr service life.

 

[burgie]

Oh I agree with the synthetic versus dino debate...but always nice to hear it for reinforcement.

I will likely go with either the Amzoil or the Royal Purple products and the decision will probably be based on availability and price...albeit local or via web-based ordering (ebay, etc.). Both are from reputable companies with a strong background in quality lubrication technology.

 

[HAP]

I just changed my comp oil a few days ago. I was surprised at how thick it was, still pretty clean. I had picked up some 30W non-det oil and had second thoughts about puting it in. So, I went to NAPA and bought 2 qts of thier compressor oil and it too was as thick as the original. Really the vicosity of thick syrup. So, I felt better about using that over the 30W. BTW, the NAPA stuff was $7.95 a Qt.

HAP

 

[burgie]

HAP....I saw the NAPA stuff and was curious...

 

[Rudyjr]

I would use Amsoil compressor oil.

http://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?GroupID=68&zo=1929445

I have had great luck with Amsoil in mine as well.

 

[Pwaley]

With any compressor oil you'll be fine *** long as you keep it clean.

I was going to go with Royal Purple until I found out Amsoil made compressor oil. Then I saw an article with oil tests which then convinced me to order the Amsoil. May not find in a local retail store but chances are there is an Amsoil dealer near you & if you order online you'd probably receive it in only a day or two.

Necro-bump. You didn't read the fine print and see who paid for that "study". The company begins with 'A' and ends with 'L'. Don't believe everything you read and funnily enough, company 'A' placed Royal Purple 2nd to last and they happen to be a direct competitor in boutique oils.

Just because of those fabricated white papers, I will never buy anything from said company. Dirty, dirty move.

 

[demarpaint]

A few years ago I got a good deal on Red Line synthetic compressor oil and stocked up on it. It made a noticeable difference in cold weather operation of the compressor.

 

[bob15]

I had used Royal Purple compressor oil for one year and had issues with it during a cold spell over winter where my unheated barn's inside temp never went above 25°F. The R-P compressor oil had turned into a slurpie and my IR-253 wouldn't turn over and was tripping the circuit breaker in the process. I had to put heat on the compressor to melt the oil so it would turn on.

Soon after I switched over to a different brand oil and haven't had any issues since. So much for accurate temp pour points......

 

[Citation]

Which oil did you pick? I think I've just used Kobalt compressor oil and my Emglo roofing compressor does not like cold mornings. A better cold start oil would be nice.

 

[bob15]

Which oil did you pick? I think I've just used Kobalt compressor oil and my Emglo roofing compressor does not like cold mornings. A better cold start oil would be nice.

I went with Schaeffer 158. The catch is they sell by the 5 gallon pail, but for me to flush out my compressor multiple times first, it took almost two gallons of oil (it holds 2-1/2 quarts of oil).

 

[Fixnair]

You didn't mention what brand or model but generally A 20 wt. oil is best for temps between zero degree to 100 degrees. 30 wt. below 30 degrees does not splash very well and the wrist pins will suffer. I've been the compressor business for over 50 years so I've seen most of the problems with compressors. Take your pick, dino or synthetic & change every 100 hours and your compressor will last for years.

 

[seber]

Necro-bump. You didn't read the fine print and see who paid for that "study". The company begins with 'A' and ends with 'L'. Don't believe everything you read and funnily enough, company 'A' placed Royal Purple 2nd to last and they happen to be a direct competitor in boutique oils.

Just because of those fabricated white papers, I will never buy anything from said company. Dirty, dirty move.

I won't use Amsoil either for pretty much the same reason. Lots of tests with no attribution. If you trace them back far enough you find they all come from the same source. I've yet to see a true independent test that shows Amsoil worth a damn. It also does not give me confidence that they will not sell through a normal retail outfit.

 

[red94chev]

Been running the Rarus 427 for a while, no problems with it.

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