Air compressor oil

-
dartfreak75

dartfreak75

Restore it, Dont part it!
Joined
Aug 10, 2011
Messages
11,571
Reaction score
9,482
Location
Virginia
My air compressor says to use a sae 30w non detergent air compressor oil. I cant find any locally and i dont want to wait for shipping I need it now would it be ok to run a sae 30w non detergent motor oil or full synthetic 30w oil? It does say in the manual not to run a dual viscosity oil like 10w-30 but would a straight 30w be ok as long as its non detergent?
 
Have you checked the usual auto parts stores? I get my compressor oil at autozone or oreilly - can't remember. You may want to call the compressor manufacturer to see what they say too.
 
I tried rural king and lowes I couldnt find it lowes and rural king was sold out. I will check at tractor supply
 
I use a synthetic equivalent in my Husky compressor. I think the manual stated the synthetic equal, or I checked online.
Use synthetic. Change once a year, it's not a huge budget jump. It's an oil change a year.

**lawnmowers, small gens etc** should get same treatment.
 
I have bought 30w oil before and it said right on the container for small engines and air compressors that require a non detergent oil. I also just changed oil in a couple industrial sized machines and ISO 60 is required for those. Manufacturer / supplier recommendation.

This is a crank case, very similar to your engine! It has a crank shaft and connecting rod / rods. It is a splash lube system, (no oil pump).

Air compressor experts feel free to correct me if I'm wrong! :)
 
Have it shipped to your house.
Non-detergand 30W is baically lawnmower oil, try your local auto parts store.
 
dartfreak75 said:
My air compressor says to use a sae 30w non detergent air compressor oil. I cant find any locally and i dont want to wait for shipping I need it now would it be ok to run a sae 30w non detergent motor oil or full synthetic 30w oil? It does say in the manual not to run a dual viscosity oil like 10w-30 but would a straight 30w be ok as long as its non detergent?
Click to expand...
A very good friend of mine destroyed a one year old belt driven compressor with 30 wt Pennziol right from Walmart.
I was a District Manager and a Product Manager for Tecumseh engine for 8 years all of our mower and small engines used dino detergent oil in the crankcase. Other than aircraft engines I am not aware of any engine manufactures that recommend non detergent oil in their engines. You need the detergent additive package in the oil to clean and remove the bi products of combustion from the engine. That is way it is darker when you drain it.
 
This is mine. This is not the industrial machine I referred to earlier.

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
 
Last edited:
dartfreak75 said:
My air compressor says to use a sae 30w non detergent air compressor oil. I cant find any locally and i dont want to wait for shipping I need it now would it be ok to run a sae 30w non detergent motor oil or full synthetic 30w oil? It does say in the manual not to run a dual viscosity oil like 10w-30 but would a straight 30w be ok as long as its non detergent?
Click to expand...

Using a non-detergent 30w or 10w-30 oil should be fine, as that's what it calls for. Do not use synthetic until the compressor is broken in.

I cycled my new compressor 2 times, then changed the oil w non-synthetic compressor oil, and will now run it for a dozen full cycles. After that, I will run Amsoil synthetic compressor oil for the life of it.
 
Last edited:
30W I found is ok but in the winter it is too thick. I bought compressor oil at the local Lowes. It is Kobalt brand and sold in a pint bottle near the compressors.
 
jbc426 said:
Using a non-detergent 30w or 10w-30 oil should be fine, as that's what it calls for. Do not use synthetic until the compressor is broken in.

I cycled my new compressor 2 times, then changed the oil w non-synthetic compressor oil, and will now run it for a dozen full cycles. After that, I will run Amsoil synthetic compressor oil for the life of it.
Click to expand...
Mine should be broke in iv had it for 2 years and never changed the oil lol. Mine has the little bubble to show your oil level it looked really milky and dark so I decided I better change it. I looked this morning and could find anything to put back in it and I need my compressor tomorrow lol
 
All I use in mine is 10/30 Royal Purple. It far surpases any air compressor oil.
 
The default oil for any light or medium duty air compressor ( non-constant duty ) is 30wt non-detergent. Most do not have a pump or filter, a detergent oil will pull stuff from the bottom of the crankcase and circulate it around. Non detergent works best for these type crankcases. I've done pneumatic system controls for 30 yrs.
 
Demonic said:
The default oil for any light or medium duty air compressor ( non-constant duty ) is 30wt non-detergent. Most do not have a pump or filter, a detergent oil will pull stuff from the bottom of the crankcase and circulate it around. Non detergent works best for these type crankcases. I've done pneumatic system controls for 30 yrs.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top