New Compressor oil is it ok???

[powderblast]

Hi i ave just bought a new wolf Dakota 90l 3hp compressor the one of ebay when i received it it said fill with oil, it came with a bottle of oil but it was already full anyway i let it cycle 4/5 times and then i replaced the oil but the oil is black and when you shine a light over it, it looks metallic as if its got fine bits of metal in it.

Is this normal and what you would expect of a new machine. Or should i be contacting the seller as i might have a dodgy compressor.

Its hard to see it in the picture as its so fine

 

[powderblast]

heres some more clearer pictures i have stirred it up

 

[Woody.v8]

Something doesn't look right there. It looks to be full of aluminium, is the compressor New?
Edit: I see it is new, if it were me I would send it back.

 

[rtbcomp]

Is it the new oil that's discoloured or the oil you out in?

Black oil suggests overheating. Check the air filter, if it's not clean that would suggest the compressor has been used.

I've had 2 compressors from new, Clarke & SIP, and neither came with oil already in them.

 

[rikrobson]

My Dakota came with a bit of oil in iirc, I presumed from testing. I filled it with the oil that cam with it and its still clear in the sight glass.

Can you run the oil through a coffee filter? That will filter out any metallic bits.

Does it sound ok when running or turning by hand?

 

[powderblast]

I have spoke to them they fill it because people were buying them not filling them and the saying there were broken so they fill them with oil how true i dont know they advised me to run it with some fresh oil then recheck it or just send it back to them so they can check it over, its just annoying i have to do this on a new compressor i have it running now 15 minutes on 15 minutes off then i am going to check it the oil drain plug is just an allen screw and i think that this is leaking as well didnt come with an o ring or anything the the screw maybe i have just not tightened it up enough ill post a photo of the oil when i drain it in a hour or so

 

[500e]

The oil look to be full of particles, that is more than a few bits, I would not accept the unit, full stop

 

[powderblast]

I have just drained the new oil and it still has very fine particles in it there were shining in the sun when drain so visible to the eye, hers some photos of the oil after 2hours of running 15min on 15min off.

There is no signs of over heating and funny noises does appear to work fine but it turns off at 7bar and cuts back in a 5bar is this normal thought it should be cutting off at 8bar????

 

[powderblast]

Does this oil now look acceptable and should the compressor be cutting in at 8bar it does actually state 10bar???????? all info helps

 

[pondy]

I have a 50 litre unit, when I first drained the oil it was like that, every oil change after its been fine, just put it down to the internal parts breaking in

 

[rtbcomp]

... it turns off at 7bar and cuts back in a 5bar is this normal thought it should be cutting off at 8bar????

You can adjust the cut-off pressure, open the pressure switch and there will be a screw or a nut on the end of a spring to tighten to increase the pressure. Adjust this switch with pressure in the tank.

Put a photo up of the switch if you're not sure.

 

[powderblast]

ok will do how does that new oil look to you would you return the compressor or maybe is it just crap from everything bedding in???? also the company could of put used oil in it as they did send new oil

 

[rtbcomp]

Personally I wouldn't worry given the hassle of sending it back - you've got a year's warranty.

 

[powderblast]

would new oil would you recommend i was going to get some iso32 compressor oil from tool station

 

[rtbcomp]

As it's under warranty I would go with what they say in the manual.

I use straight SAE30 motor oil in my Clarke and SAE40 in the SIP. You need a basic non-detergent oil.

 

[powderblast]

yeah just spoke to some one else from wolf and they said that the oil like that is common from the milling and machining process they also told me to use 10 40 semi synthetic motor oil just need to change the bar of the machine ill get a photo put on soon thanks guys

 

[500e]

Don't care what they say regarding contamination it should be removed at manufacture, running anything with contaminants will shorten life

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I have a Sip 150 litre compressor bought new, have had if a few years now (not used in anger though) The oil it came with was clear, have never changed it and is still clear.

 

[powderblast]

i think the oil drain plug is crap as well, its just and allen key bolt with no o ring or anything hopefully it doesn't leak, finally replaced with the new oil now so we will see how it goes.

It cuts out a 7bar and fills back up when it gets to 5bar i have never had a compressor before but i would of thought if its a 10bar machine it would at least fill to 8or9 bar what would i be achieving by adjusting this say letting it cut off at say 8/9bar????

 

[rtbcomp]

Increasing the pressure depends on how you're going to use it. If it runs continuously, ie you're taking as much air as it can deliver, increasing the pressure won't help.

If it stops then comes back on quickly increasing the pressure will mean it'll run longer and rest longer - this would be better than switching on and off frequently.

Running at a high pressure and dropping down to a lower pressure with a regulator will improve the cooling of the air, and in turn water will condense out better.