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Air Compressor Oil

K

KCTractors

Member
Location
Central Wi
I think it's time to change the oil in the 5hp compressor. Do I need to buy the special air compressor oil or can I use regular motor oil. If I can, what grade and number?
 
non detergent is best , a single weigt oil 30 or 40 "OR" what ever you got around it's not really that critical. Most are probably running with reg motor oil if they ever been changed at all. Just my own opinion.
 
I ran for many years with 15W-40. If it is good enough for a Cummins compressor on the engine, then it should be good enough for the shop! If you can get non-detergent SAE 30 use it. It is hard enough nowadays to just get SAE 30 of any type. Like most things, just keep CLEAN oil of some type in it.
 
My compressor is a 45 model same as me. I have just changed oil every 10 or 15 years. Reccond putting 15X40 motor oil will ruin it one of these days. It is always plugged in too.
 
Remember if the special oil cost a lot more and has less in it then you may just be getting ripped off.
When I had my service station way back in the olden days. I sold Pennsoil for 10 cents more per can. It cost me the same but people told me it was better oil cause it cost more.
Walt
 
Only thing I would add to that is that the cummins compressor is more than likely lubed via oil ports pressurized by the oil pump. A stand alone compressor lubricates via splash lubricating. This can cause foaming if using detergent oil.
 
Most owners manuals indicate mobil 1 synthetic compressor oil. Sure it costs 5 a quart, you use i qt every 4 years. Only to service a 800 dollar compressor. Naw, go with the 2 daollar oil and save 40 cents a year .
 
(quoted from post at 21:56:30 01/07/13) I ran for many years with 15W-40. If it is good enough for a Cummins compressor on the engine, then it should be good enough for the shop! If you can get non-detergent SAE 30 use it. It is hard enough nowadays to just get SAE 30 of any type. Like most things, just keep CLEAN oil of some type in it.
Click to expand...
I am guessing the compressor on your Cummins is pressure lubricated with engine oil that gets hot enough to burn off condensation, as well the oil goes through the engines filter.
A shop compressor has a sealed crankcase and has no way to vent off any condensation moisture the detergents in the oil have so efficientley suspended, nor should it get hot enough to do so.
Not many shop compressors have oil filtration to remove suspended particles either.
I am not saying that you won't get away with using a detergent oil just a few things to consider.
Dave
 
l
My compressor also says "Use 10 Weight oil". That's why I use 10-30 synthetic. So far the compressor has been running since 1968. It's had the 10 weight in it for the first years, then Delvac 30 weight for 8 years then Delvac 10-40, and Mobil 1 10-30 since 87 to now. I used to buy oil by the barrel when I was in the trucking business, so I run what everything else gets around here.
 
I would use what the mfg. recommends. Reason being I have a mid 60s Sears that said to use 10w30.
My newer CH compressor says to use non detergent.
I don't think one size fits all.
 
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