When I drain the air in my tank, yes I get some water out, but I also see a substantial amount of oil come out - at least enough to cover my fingers if I hold them in the stream of air for a few seconds. I'm assuming a little oil is normal, but does a considerable amount of oil mean I need to rebuild my pump? It's an old speedaire. What would I need to replace, just gaskets and rings?
Oil In Compressor Tank
- Thread starter skelrad
- Start date
taumac
Well-known member
I have old speedaire/ champion A-9 with same issue.
That is just part of owning a reciprocating compressor with out an oil seperator, as the rings wear oil finds its way into the air stream that is being compressed. On large industrial compressors they install coalescing filters and oil seperators. Nothing to be to worried about unless it becomes plentiful.
Murphy4570
Well-known member
Consider it the compressor's way of rust-proofing the inside of the air tank for you, and lubricating all the air tools you use as well!
A "substantial" amount of oil would be the contents of the crankcase in the air receiver. 
Oil must constantly coat the cylinder walls to lubricate the ring / cylinder interface. Some of that oil becomes an aerosol in the compressed air stream and ends up in the receiver condensate pool. It's nothing to worry about.
Oil must constantly coat the cylinder walls to lubricate the ring / cylinder interface. Some of that oil becomes an aerosol in the compressed air stream and ends up in the receiver condensate pool. It's nothing to worry about.
y20dth
Well-known member
A "substantial" amount of oil would be the contents of the crankcase in the air receiver.
Oil must constantly coat the cylinder walls to lubricate the ring / cylinder interface. Some of that oil becomes an aerosol in the compressed air stream and ends up in the receiver condensate pool. It's nothing to worry about.
exacly.
A lubricated piston is a happy piston. Read that whatever way you want.
ToocoolZ28
Well-known member
It depends, are you painting with this compressor? If so you really need an oil separator.
TwoInch
Well-known member
enough to cover your finger is normal, and a good thing in my opinion. if you are getting a puddle of oil, then you might want to look into it.
i get oil every time i drain mine also. less than a teaspoon i would assume.
do you have to add oil to the crankcase ever, other than when you change the oil? if so how much and how often?
i get oil every time i drain mine also. less than a teaspoon i would assume.
do you have to add oil to the crankcase ever, other than when you change the oil? if so how much and how often?
We have the proper question. The oil you are seeing is from the compressor head. If your adding oil to the pump every few hours then you need a pump rebuild. If your not noticeably losing it from the compressor head then your ok. Remember that the oil you are getting out is mixed with the water in the tank so the volume total is not all compressor pump oil.
lg
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