Compressor Oil

[Phil Hansen]

Is there something special about compressor oil. I am doing maintenance on my machines and nedd to change the oil but all specialist shops are shut until the 3rd.
Can I use motor oil instead?
Thanks
Phil

[mickey cassiba]

Is there something special about compressor oil. I am doing maintenance on my machines and nedd to change the oil but all specialist shops are shut until the 3rd.
Can I use motor oil instead?
Thanks
Phil
I've always heard that non-detergent motor oil works, in the proper grade of course.
Mick

[Michael Wetzel]

You need to find the exact equivalent.

[Chris Damm]

I've been using straight 30wt oil for as long as I remember. That's what my manual calls for.

[John A langley]

Not a good idea. Grainger sells compressor oil.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I found compressor oil at my local Ace Hardware store.

[Jim O'Dell]

What is different about compressor oil? Weight? I thought I'd read a few people using Mobile One synthetic. Jim.

[John A langley]

Jim - My understanding is that compressor oil does not foam like regular oil.

[Randal Stevenson]

Depends on the compressor. Most of the compressors you find in poeples shops, will say in their manuals, straight, non detergent 30 weight, or x equivallent mobile one. (seen a couple different weights listed)

If this was a higher end compressor, like a Quincy, I would be more inclined to go with their oil. Best thing is check your owners manual (or download it).

[Mitchell Andrus]

As with any similar contraption that doesn't have an oil filter, use a NON detergent oil. You want the solids to settle to the bottom. Detergent oils keep solids in suspension so the filter can remove them.

No filter, no detergent.

My Model A requires non-detergent oil. As with air compressors, cars had no oil filters back then. The sludge was encouraged to settle out.
.

[Phil Hansen]

Thanks for the replies.
Having no Ace or Grainger box stores here cannot get their wares.
The 30w motor oil path will be followed (will look for synthetic).
Thanks all
Phil

[Chris Fairbanks]

Phil, Can you not put off maintenance on the compressor till after the 3rd? You really run the risk of doing some major damage.

[Mitchell Andrus]

Phil, Can you not put off maintenance on the compressor till after the 3rd? You really run the risk of doing some major damage.

You risk churning up the gunk on the bottom of the case with detergent oil. Wait til you can get the correct oil.
.

[David Hostetler]

I have seen compressor oil on the shelf at Wal Mart, Harbor Freight, Ace Hardware, Auto Zone, etc...

I would STRONGLY suggest you NOT using detergent (standard) oil...

[Dave Lehnert]

Notice, the OP lives in South Africa.

[Phil Hansen]

OK will wait and get the correct stuff.
Thanks for the advice.
Phil

[Callan Campbell]

Good idea. All the posters are correct with regards to most air cooled recip compressors using plain "old school" non- detergent oil, again, usually 30 weight. Since you didn't seem to state what unit/make of compressor you have, one can't safely say what oil you need to buy. Many new compressors are being run on synthetic to "qualify" as constant-run pumps or 100% duty cycle. True industrial compressors have being running on various grades and makes of semi or full synthetic oil for years, it gets tricky real quick. What is your compressor,an Atlas Copco, or an Ingersoll-Rand, or other? I only ask out of curiosity since most people here in the US have never heard/seen of Atlas-Copco products except for the odd compressor being towed behind a service truck yet they're huge in the rest of the world in all sections of pneumatics.

[Phil Hansen]

What is your compressor,an Atlas Copco, or an Ingersoll-Rand, or other?
Unfortunately it is not a recognized brand but some eastern make (Sumake)
I would have to take out a second mortgage to be able to afford an Atlas Copco or similar here.
It does what I need it for but it is noisy. I keep looking out for an old twin head that I can restore and replace this one. (love restoring old machines)
Phil

[Tom Godley]

I was out your way a few moths ago -- I could have dropped some off :)

[Mike Langford]

Jim - My understanding is that compressor oil does not foam like regular oil.

That's why you use non-detergent oil....I've use 30wt ND motor oil (Havoline brand picked it up at AutoZone) in my two compressors for going on 17 yrs in one and 10 yrs in the other....

....that reminds me, I need to change the oil soon!

[Chris Parks]

I often wonder about changing oil in compressors. I bought my compressor, a well known brand, about 25 years ago and it was old then, so old it had a Ford Model A piston in it and the manufacturer had the same compressor in their museum of old stuff. During that time it never had an oil change and is still chugging away. Just a story and not advise.