OT: Air Compressor Oil

JDNewbie · Mar 19, 2013

My Dad just gave me a second hand air compressor. No manuals or instructions with it. It is just a little thing, but should do what I need. It has an Emglo Model FW-20 Compressor on it and when I transported it, I needed to lay it on its side. Most of the oil ran out of one of the vents. I've let it set upright for a couple days so the oil could run back down where it should be, but what kind of oil should I be putting in it? The oil that came out didn't appear to be anything special, but I've never done an "oil change" on a compressor before.

Thanks

Anonymous-0 · Mar 19, 2013

20 or 30 wt. NON detergent motor oil . This is one place where you don't want a detergent oil .Napa will have it, O'Reily's should too. Drain the remaining oil with the compressor propped up at an angle overnite get all that nasty old oil out then refill with fresh. ,

VicS · Mar 19, 2013

My compressor is a 80 gallon 2 stage made in 1945. I
have had it for a long time. When I change it about
once every 10 yrs. I put what is in the
barrel,happens to be 15X40 diesel oil now. Can't
have hurt it to bad.

Wayne in MN · Mar 19, 2013

There is an "air compressor" oil available or use "non-detergent" oil of appropriate viscosity depending on the shop temp where the compressor is located.
Detergent oil will have a tendency to foam while in use.
With no combustion involved in the operation of the piston-crankshaft etc. there is no need for detergents.

ohiojim · Mar 19, 2013

best money you'll ever spend is on regular air compressor oil,...don't ask how i know..

jbp · Mar 19, 2013

Been running a two cylinder compressor since the early seventys, changed the oil acouple of times using 10W30. The only thing that went bad in that time was the tank which was replaced last year. Guess the 10W30 finaly got the best of it. Joe

Stephen Newell · Mar 19, 2013

You can get "Air Compressor Oil" at tractor supply however all it is, is 30w non-detergent oil. It's a bit late now but it works good to use synthetic oil in the winter. It doesn't thicken as much as standard oil and the compessor doesn't struggle as much to get running.

JDNewbie · Mar 19, 2013

Thanks folks. I went down to the local NAPA and found some Air Compressor Oil. Must be good stuff because it was $8.00 for a quart! Thanks for the help.

4020guy · Mar 19, 2013

Straight #32 or #44 hydraulic oil works well also. It has antiwear, antifoam, and anticorrosive properties as well. If it will protect a hydraulic pump producing 2500psi oil pressure, I'm sure it will protect an air pump working at 150psi air pressure. I'm sure it is much more economical as well. When we milked, I used it in the vacuum pumps for years. A 5 gallon pail of Shell or Esso oil was cheaper than a gallon from Surge or DeLaval but of course that oil was specially formulated....Ron

JRSutton · Mar 19, 2013

home depot or any other tool store will sell "compressor oil".

I've never bothered looking into alternatives. It's just too readily available for me to bother.

David G · Mar 19, 2013

VicS, what brand of compressor?

My dad had a PAR from that vintage.

greygoat · Mar 19, 2013

Here we go again ! ! Ignorant people claiming
that detergent oil will FOAM !!!!!!!!!!!!
Detergent oil is not the same as detergent soap !
In fact, Modern Detergent oil has ANTI FOAM
inhibitors !

VicS · Mar 19, 2013

I'm sorry I don't know. Just says US Army Air Force in big letters on the side. It just has a 2 hp motor but it is a big 2 hp. It has been plugged in for years. runs about once a day if you don't use it.

OT: Air Compressor Oil

JDNewbie

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Anonymous-0

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VicS

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Wayne in MN

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ohiojim

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jbp

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Stephen Newell

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JDNewbie

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4020guy

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JRSutton

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David G

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greygoat

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VicS

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