Idle Air Compressor

[Rich M.]

Question about oiled air compressors.

Does letting an oiled air compressor sit for weeks cause any issues, mainly on the pump? I do not use my compressor often and was wondering if this had any long-term issues(s).

 

[dkmc]

Like anything with pistons, under the wrong conditions moisture can condense in the cylinders or on the valves and cause rust. Using a good compressor oil (different than motor oil) that contains corrosion inhibitors can help minimize the problem. Probably turning it over by hand a few revolutions every week can't hurt either.

 

[pepi]

Like anything with pistons, under the wrong conditions moisture can condense in the cylinders or on the valves and cause rust. Using a good compressor oil (different than motor oil) that contains corrosion inhibitors can help minimize the problem. Probably turning it over by hand a few revolutions every week can't hurt either.

Without realizing it you have just blown up all the amateur scientists & theories posted. Thinking motor oil is some sort of compressor life extender.

I never have heard the why it was to be used, do not actually care. Common sense tells me if a manufacture suggest using a specific consumable it's done.

Substitution of operational consumables to save $$, is foolish. The tinny amounts saved at the onset, becomes $$ in repairs, at the end of the day.

Thanks for pointing out the true and logical reasoning for a product called compressor oil.

Pep

 

[sberry]

Never hurts to turn reciprocating equipment but hundreds of thousands of them (probably millions) sit all the time and still work. All is pretty well as long as there isn't water in the oil.

 

[driz]

Like anything with pistons, under the wrong conditions moisture can condense in the cylinders or on the valves and cause rust. Using a good compressor oil (different than motor oil) that contains corrosion inhibitors can help minimize the problem. Probably turning it over by hand a few revolutions every week can't hurt either.

Mine is going on 20 y/o. And I take no special care of it. In fact I’ve hammered it mercilessly doing jobs too big for it. Never saw a problem letting it sit. The big thing with them is always drawing the water out of the tank. One of those cheap HF auto drains helps a lot there. I wouldn’t give letting it sit a second thought myself.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Rich M.]

Thanks for the info. I use my compressor about once a week doing the summer, but during colder months, I usually do not touch it.

Right now I have a 30 year old oilless and no worries about not running it.

 

[American Locomotive]

My old oiled compressor goes literally months without being used. Sometimes as much as 6 months and it sits outside in an unconditioned barn. Never had a problem.