Best Air Compressor Oil?

Lanse

Well-known Member
Hey guys!

So, I've been doing a little thinking about air compressor oil
lately. I just changed the 'earl in my MAKITA brand compressor,
and found a few metal shavings in the bottom which I didnt
like... But then again, it was the first time I've changed it after
putting serious use on it, since new.

Anyway, I was wondering what you all use in your compressors.
I've been buying roughly 2 pint sized containers of "Air
Compressor Oil" at the local big box stores for roughly the same
cost as a quart of premium synthetic motor oil. And still getting
metal shavings in my crankcase, so needless to say, I'm looking
to explore other options.

I was just wondering what you guys thought of this... Keep in
mind my compressor has like a 7 gallon tank and that pump
spins at, IIRC something crazy like 3600 RPM's or so.

Thanks in advance...
 
I would use what manufacture recomends or the equivalent of it. My compressor is older and uses motor oil.
 
Usually [ that could get you in trouble] it is a straight 30 weight non-detergent. Compressor oil will never look dirty because there is no combustion but you should keep a lube shched on the unti so you know if you never drain it or change oil it will bite you.
 
20 wt. non detergent is what I use in my old Speedaire, I'ts still going strong after 34 years !!
 
Always used Mobile 1 5-30 synthetic and never had a problem in many years of use with an old IR. One advantage is that it starts easily in an unheated shop.
 
Part of the problem is the high speed. I'm guessing it's direct drive? Being a Makita, also probably portable?

High wear is just the nature of the beast, I consider them throw away compressors.

If you want something that will last, look at a belt drive with compressor speeds something less than 1000 RPM, and preferably cast iron.

Won't be cheap, won't be light, but it'll outlast you with a little normal maintenance.

JMHO, YMMV.
 
Synthetic reciprocating compressor oil. Check the recommendation, but 30w is the norm.

The synthetic is preferred because it resists heat and does not carbon the valves. Non detergent is an alternative, but it doesn't have the high heat value. Regular detergent oil will keep the crankcase cleaner if changed regularly (and who does that?), but the additives are more prone to carbon the valves.
 
I have an IR 60 gallon compressor. I use the synthetic IR compressor oil because IR doubled the warranty if you did. It's not cheap oil, but neither was the compressor. I change it yearly.
 

If you use car/truck oil,, the air will always smell funny..

so I switched back to synthetic compressor oil.. Could not stand the smell in the shop....The syn oil will run forever, and help it start in a cold shop as mine is not heated. Just check the level and try to change it every 10 years or so.. more often is you run it hard. Very often if you run almost continuously. I keep the air valve at the compressor off when not in the shop, so it never runs.. until I open the valve and then feed my 300 feet of lines everywhere. I have air going to two other shops off of this compressor.

If the compressor is using oil, then probably non syn oil as its cheaper.
 

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