Compressor Oil

Magruder · Aug 8, 2012

I have an old Iron Man upright air compressor. I got it used and no owners manual. It is very low on oil and I don't know what the proper weight/viscosity is. Anyone know?

joshuabardwell · Aug 8, 2012

You can buy air compressor oil specifically in that section of the hardware store. I think that you could substitute regular motor oil and save some money, but if you aren't sure, just get the stuff that's intended for that use.

Egon · Aug 8, 2012

If proper compressor oil isn't available mineral oil should work.

number two · Aug 8, 2012

Non-detergent SAE 30 weight is pretty much the standard oil for air compressors.Find it at your local auto parts store.

Soundguy · Aug 9, 2012

yep.. if no compressor on in stock.. then 30wnon det..
( lowes and tsc carry compressor oil for sure )
you CAN get synthetic compressor oil now as well.

Magruder · Aug 9, 2012

Thanks for the info. everyone!

Bird · Aug 9, 2012

For a lot of years, I used 30W motor oil, but my current 6+ year old compressor's manual says "NOTE: The compressor is pre-filled with synthetic oil. We recommend using a good quality 10W-30 synthetic motor oil for this pump." So I use the Ingersoll-Rand All Season Select Lubricant. It ain't cheap, but I run my compressor a lot and sometimes continuously for long periods of time. And it hardly uses any at all between changes.

Soundguy · Aug 9, 2012

some new lawnmowers say the same... getting away from the old 30w dinosaur days..

Bird · Aug 9, 2012

Soundguy said:
some new lawnmowers say the same... getting away from the old 30w dinosaur days..

Since my little Toro ZTR has a Kohler engine, I'm using the Kohler 10W-30 oil. I asked my dealer who makes it and he said he didn't know. I'm curious, and of course, it's expensive oil, but to change once a year, I figure it's not bad. I don't think it's synthetic, but I can't say for sure. The manual does say, "Synthetic oils will provide better starting in extreme cold below -23C (-10F)." And no, I'm not kidding.:laughing: But I've never mowed my yard when the temperature was 10 below zero.:laughing: I couldn't believe that was in there.

Soundguy · Aug 9, 2012

i have a lil farm CUV thing like a golf cart. they reccomend 15w40 though say 30w is 'ok'

clemsonfor · Aug 10, 2012

Bird said:
Since my little Toro ZTR has a Kohler engine, I'm using the Kohler 10W-30 oil. I asked my dealer who makes it and he said he didn't know. I'm curious, and of course, it's expensive oil, but to change once a year, I figure it's not bad. I don't think it's synthetic, but I can't say for sure. The manual does say, "Synthetic oils will provide better starting in extreme cold below -23C (-10F)." And no, I'm not kidding.:laughing: But I've never mowed my yard when the temperature was 10 below zero.:laughing: I couldn't believe that was in there.

Your just spending extra, even if in warrenty they cant tell you you have to use Kholer oil , although repairs related to lube may be easier to get if it was their oil and a warrenty claim arose.

Chances are is made by one of the few refineries in america. Prolly bottled right after the briggs oil, jd oil, castrol and valvoline oil or something all in the same bldg.

Bird · Aug 10, 2012

clemsonfor said:
Your just spending extra, even if in warrenty they cant tell you you have to use Kholer oil , although repairs related to lube may be easier to get if it was their oil and a warrenty claim arose.

Chances are is made by one of the few refineries in america. Prolly bottled right after the briggs oil, jd oil, castrol and valvoline oil or something all in the same bldg.

You're right, of course. And I didn't mean to imply that either Kohler or my dealer said I needed to, or had to, use Kohler oil. The Toro manual only says to use oil with the rating of "API service SG, SH, SJ or higher". The viscosity chart shows "5W-20, 5W-30" for temperatures below freezing; 10W-30 above freezing. The Kohler Engine manual shows the same below freezing and "Kohler 10W-30" or simply "10W-30" above freezing, or SAE 30 above 50F.

So I know I'm paying a little more than I need to, but I like my Toro/Stihl dealer, and for 2 quarts of oil a year . . . well, why not?

Soundguy · Aug 10, 2012

clemsonfor said:
Your just spending extra, even if in warrenty they cant tell you you have to use Kholer oil , although repairs related to lube may be easier to get if it was their oil and a warrenty claim arose.

Chances are is made by one of the few refineries in america. Prolly bottled right after the briggs oil, jd oil, castrol and valvoline oil or something all in the same bldg.

yep.. seen plenty of house brand oils all with the same address of refinery or botteler in their fine print, spec sheet or msds.

I believe some peopl think that everyone makes and bottles their own oil. IE.. JD has an oil refinery out back.. so does New holland.. kholer.. campbel hausfeld..

oldyellr · Aug 11, 2012

Egon said:
If proper compressor oil isn't available mineral oil should work.

I wouldn't use mineral oil. It really doesn't have very good lubricating or corrosion resisting properties. I worked in an industry manufacturing electrolytic capacitors and mineral oil is what was used to lubricate all machinery that came in contact with the product to avoid contamination. I tell you, as a lubricating oil it was crap.

Soundguy · Aug 11, 2012

i'm thinking he meant mineral gear oil.

not what I would use either... though.

SPYDERLK · Aug 11, 2012

Use compressor oil. This is particularly important in a two stage compressor, still important enuf for all. The issue is water since most compressors dont ever get hot enuf to keep it from accumulating in the oil. Compressor oils have anti corrosives added to prevent rust. I used engine oil in a 2 stage and it locked up tight in 3 days between uses due to water induced rust on the cyl wall of the second stage. Broke it free and changed to compressor oil and never saw another problem.
larry

Soundguy · Aug 11, 2012

SPYDERLK said:
Use compressor oil. This is particularly important in a two stage compressor, still important enuf for all. The issue is water since most compressors dont ever get hot enuf to keep it from accumulating in the oil. Compressor oils have anti corrosives added to prevent rust. I used engine oil in a 2 stage and it locked up tight in 3 days between uses due to water induced rust on the cyl wall of the second stage. Broke it free and changed to compressor oil and never saw another problem.
larry

not hot enough?

you must only use a compressor to air tires.

When I use mine, at the end of the day you could fry an egg on it.

especially painting or running air tools. sanders eat air....

SPYDERLK · Aug 11, 2012

Soundguy said:
not hot enough? you must only use a compressor to air tires.

When I use mine, at the end of the day you could fry an egg on it. especially painting or running air tools. sanders eat air....

Single stage or 2 stage?

dconine · Aug 12, 2012

clemsonfor said:
Your just spending extra, even if in warrenty they cant tell you you have to use Kholer oil , although repairs related to lube may be easier to get if it was their oil and a warrenty claim arose.

Chances are is made by one of the few refineries in america. Prolly bottled right after the briggs oil, jd oil, castrol and valvoline oil or something all in the same bldg.

Kohler Engine Company makes & bottles their own oil. At this time, they do not have a synthetic oil but are currently working on some different weights & a synthetic line-up to put out on the market as well. The Kohler command engines have hydraulic valve lifters & the Kohler oil has additives to make those lifters run quieter. We notice there is certain brands of oil that our customers run & you can hear more of "lifter ticking". It really is a great oil & is even diesel rated as well!