Air Compressor Oil ?

[MarkF48]

Figured it's time for an oil change in my air compressor and Google research tells me my air compressor should have a non-detergent oil. I can get a quart of non-detergent for less than $4 or lower in a viscosity recommended for the compressor I have. If I look at "Air Compressor Oil" in the area where air compressors are sold, a quart jumps up to $8-$10 and no viscosity seems to be shown on the container. What am I missing here? Is there an additive in the air compressor oil that makes it more suited for the application or it just costs more to label the container "Air Compressor Oil" ?
What ya'll using?

 

[Bird]

You're looking at cheaper oil than the one I use.:laughing:
FREE SHIPPING — Ingersoll Rand T-30 Select Compressor Oil — 1 Liter Bottle | Air Compressor Start Up Kits Oil| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[MarkF48]

You're looking at cheaper oil than the one I use.:laughing:
FREE SHIPPING — Ingersoll Rand T-30 Select Compressor Oil — 1 Liter Bottle | Air Compressor Start Up Kits Oil| Northern Tool + Equipment

Yup, I did see some synthetics around that price.

 

[gsganzer]

The IR oil that Bird shows is what I typically use. But I was in a bind the other week and I bought a gallon of plain old compressor oil at O'Reilly autoparts for $12.99. I don't expect any issues with it.

Air Compressor oil

 

[GreenYellow]

How much do you need? Surely not much...
If it were me, it would be worth buying the "good stuff" just for peace of mind.
Oil is cheap compared to a good compressor. I like to be able to run the heck out of it and not worry about whether it's right or not.

 

[George2615]

The owners manual I have at work for our commercial and medical air compressors says to use Air compressor oil or equivalent SAE 30 Non-detergent. For my home air compressors I use SAE 20 Non-detergent because they live in a colder environment in winter time. If we buy compressor oil from the manufacturer for compressors at work it is synthetic.

 

[gsganzer]

How much do you need? Surely not much...
If it were me, it would be worth buying the "good stuff" just for peace of mind.
Oil is cheap compared to a good compressor. I like to be able to run the heck out of it and not worry about whether it's right or not.

I know, I usually run the IR 30 wt that Bird uses. But the other weekend, I moved my compressor from inside my shop to outside and I lost a bunch of oil when I leaned it over during the move. I needed some oil quick and bought the gallon, figuring I'll probably need to change more frequently due to the potential for moisture, rather than the oil wearing out. I'll probably change it once a quarter to see how it looks, until I get a feel for the wear and tear it see's.

Does anyone else have their compressor mounted outside under an overhang? It's pretty well protected, but would see more temperature extremes then when it was indoors.

 

[kenmac]

I either use Amsoil or Mobil 1 Rarus Oil in my compressor. Oil is cheap..My compressor wasn't cheap

 

[meos1]

Whats the service interval for compressor oil assuming residential use (reads like on weekends and not frequently)?? Anyone?

 

[Bird]

Whats the service interval for compressor oil assuming residential use (reads like on weekends and not frequently)?? Anyone?

That's a good question. I'm currently using just a 30 gallon upright Coleman Powermate compressor; 1.8 hp, 155 psi. It's 10 years old this month. The manual only recommends a 10W-30 synthetic oil and recommends 100 hour change intervals. But you may notice the oil I'm using says it's good for 2000 hours.

I've no doubt that I use a compressor more than most homeowners. In fact, almost every day. I have 3 different length air guns, including 2' and 4' lengths. I use it instead of the leaf blower to blow off the clippings from the drive and sidewalk, blow off the debris from the mower every time I use it, blow out the debris from the rain gutters, blow the clippings from my electric razor every time I shave, blow the clippings from our hair clippers every time my wife gives me a haircut, etc., etc. This morning I used it to blow the water off the steps at each end of the patio (we finally got some rain) and I just now heard my wife using it to blow the dust and such from her vacuum cleaner.

I changed the oil once a year for the first 3 or 4 years, but the oil always looked as good as new when I changed it so now . . . I've gotten pretty lax about it. So your question made me go look and it appears the last oil change was 11/2/2011, almost 4 years ago. Maybe I ought to do that.:laughing:

 

[gsganzer]

Whats the service interval for compressor oil assuming residential use (reads like on weekends and not frequently)?? Anyone?

Unless it see's some pretty constant use, I wouldn't think a compressor would need it's oil changed that frequently. It doesn't seem like it's a severe duty application with lots of heat, combustion byproducts and dirty intake. I normally only changed mine once a year and like Bird says, it always looked brand new.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I also use Mobil Rarus Air Compressor Oil in mine.



I unfortunately, had NEVER changed mine, after about 10 years of use. The oil was black! My first thought was to simply go by HD and pick up a quart. hmm - those Sales Associates looked at me like I was from outer space. After calling their supervisor to assist, her only clue was to tell me that my compressor was no longer for sale, and that I'd need to buy a new one. Why? Because it wasn't listed in their computer!

I did find the correct oil on Amazon. Bought two quarts to be sure I had enough. Flushed the compressor a couple of times with new compressor oil, which only took a few ounces, then topped it off for the final filling. Now I have enough compressor oil to last me a couple of lifetimes. But I will assure you, it'll get changed a lot more often. Like yours, my was expensive to me, and I'd like it to last.

I'm no oil expert for sure, but the feel and appearance of air compressor oil is certainly different than regular non-detergent oil, synthetic oil, or even plain ole' Mobil 1. I sleep better knowing that I do have the right oil in it.

 

[George2615]

Whats the service interval for compressor oil assuming residential use (reads like on weekends and not frequently)?? Anyone?

At work I change compressor oil every 500 hours per manufacturer specs (which is about 3-4 months) and it still comes out clean.
At home once every 2 years. Mainly weekend use of compressors. It also comes out clean.

 

[Soundguy]

both my newer compressors list a SAE 30W NON DETERGENT, but reccomend either a synthetic compressor oil, OR A 5W30 synthetic engine oil.

I opted for synthetic compressor oil.

I had been putting 30w nd in my pancake compressor each year, and by the end of the year it was dark. now that I am using the synthetic compressor oil, it pretty much comes out the same color it goes in. ( either it is handling oxidation or moisture better.. or whatever wear metal was initially wearing has worn.. )

 

[Turbys_1700]

As a rule of thumb I always change my compressor oil out when I do my annual maintenance on my tractor in the spring. Probably not needed as the oil looks great but I do it anyway. Easiest way for me to remember.

 

[ray66v]

Air compressor oil is non-detergent oil. So, it generally comes out clean.

The reason the change intervals are short is, many are used in very dirty environments, and they do not have oil filters.

I changed mine this summer, after more than 20 years, and it was still mostly clear. Just a bit carboned up.

 

[Will_C]

I have a small twin stack DeWalt compressor. Changing the oil is on my fall maintenance schedule, so I do it annually. Probably doesn't Ned it, but I tend to be a slave to routine.

Will

 

[John White]

My compressor is a Brunner, made in 1956 and has run every day of its life. I probably dont change mine as often as I should, probably once a year. Last time I got compressor oil at Harbor Freight Seems like I had run 10 wt at one time.

 

[MarkF48]

Anyone tried this synthetic compressor oil? Gets good reviews. >> DEWALT D55001 Synthetic Compressor Oil

I was going to go with the Ingersol Rand oil linked earlier in this thread, but Northern Tool jacked up the price to $20/qt. It was about $15 when I first looked

 

[ray66v]

It is recommended that you do a system flush, before changing a compressor from mineral oil, to synthetic oil.

The products designed to do this, do not seem to be available in smaller than 5 gallon pales. Which probably explains why this step seems to be widely ignored by homeowners.

I decided to just stay with the mineral oil for that reason.

lubriplate makes high quality compressor oils, in every weight, by the gallon, for a fair price on Amazon.