Compressor oil

[Shedendman]

I have pump,cast iron,belt driven single cylinder, no name on it nothing,when i got it i drained what oil was in it,sorry what black gooey sludge came out of it more like and that was no more than half a cup full.
Is there an all round one size fits all grade oil i can use?
Cheers

 

[julianf]

I have pump,cast iron,belt driven single cylinder, no name on it nothing,when i got it i drained what oil was in it,sorry what black gooey sludge came out of it more like and that was no more than half a cup full.
Is there an all round one size fits all grade oil i can use?
Cheers

I was all set to use special oil in mine until I looked at the plate, and it was just a normal grade.

I can't remember exactly what, but it was just some standard engine spec.

 

[Shedendman]

it was just a normal grade.

Question now is,whats normal grade

 

[brightspark]

sae 30 compressor oil

 

[Shedendman]

Ordered,cheers chaps

 

[frank horton]

I've only ever used engine oil...20w 50 in the old days now 10/30-40.....

 

[winchman]

For a piston compressor I doubt its anything special, rotary screws and oil free stuff is a special stuff I believe and shockingly expensive

 

[roofman]

10/40 automotive in my 2 comps and has been for last 15 years

 

[premmington]

Compressor oil is "non detergent".

Engine oil has additives - "detergents" that suck the carbon out of the engine and leave it suspended in the oil.

I have never used engine oil in a compressor ever in my life...

But as there is no combustion in an air compressor head - only heat from friction/pressure.

----

I would guess straight multigrade engine oil would go "white" - emulsify in a piston compressor.

But saying that - both hyrdovanes I got - if they not used hard - get really hot for a long while - the oil goes white in the airheads - and I have only every used - ISO150 2000hr oil in them.

 

[Bornfree]

Most compressor and vac pump oils are an iso68 or iso100 hydraulic oil.

 

[roofman]

Compressor oil is "non detergent".

Engine oil has additives - "detergents" that suck the carbon out of the engine and leave it suspended in the oil.

I have never used engine oil in a compressor ever in my life...

But as there is no combustion in an air compressor head - only heat from friction/pressure.

----

I would guess straight multigrade engine oil would go "white" - emulsify in a piston compressor.

But saying that - both hyrdovanes I got - if they not used hard - get really hot for a long while - the oil goes white in the airheads - and I have only every used - ISO150 2000hr oil in them.

my oil has stayed the same colour and not de-graded in any way. no bearing damage either. 2 big piston comps linked together and they work hard for a living too.

 

[Turbo]

my oil has stayed the same colour and not de-graded in any way. no bearing damage either. 2 big piston comps linked together and they work hard for a living too.

+1 to that

The SAE30 compressor oil works ok in hot countries or a heated workshop.
But in most garages in this country the SAE30 is too thick in winter and it prevents the compressor starting from cold. There are numerous posts on this forum and across the internet of compressors not starting and blowing fuses on a cold winter day.

The cure is to use a multigrade oil that is thinner from cold then gets thicker as it warms up.
I found a service bulletin from Ingersoll Rand that recommended using a multigrade oil in cold climates.

I have been using multigrade oil in my piston compressors for 30 years and they are still working perfectly. I use whatever oil my vehicles are on, recently that has been 10w/30 semi synthetic comma oil and change it annually.

The oil I drain out is nice and clean so there is minimal wear taking place.

 

[Turbo]

I have pump,cast iron,belt driven single cylinder, no name on it nothing,when i got it i drained what oil was in it,sorry what black gooey sludge came out of it more like and that was no more than half a cup full.
Is there an all round one size fits all grade oil i can use?
Cheers

Probably a good idea to fill it with oil, run it until it's nice and warm and then drain it again to flush any remaining sludge out.