Compressor Oil

   / Compressor Oil #1  

Magruder

Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2003
Messages
46
Location
Michigan
Tractor
John Deere 790
I have an old Iron Man upright air compressor. I got it used and no owners manual. It is very low on oil and I don't know what the proper weight/viscosity is. Anyone know?
 
   / Compressor Oil #2  
You can buy air compressor oil specifically in that section of the hardware store. I think that you could substitute regular motor oil and save some money, but if you aren't sure, just get the stuff that's intended for that use.
 
   / Compressor Oil #3  
If proper compressor oil isn't available mineral oil should work.:)
 
   / Compressor Oil #4  
Non-detergent SAE 30 weight is pretty much the standard oil for air compressors.Find it at your local auto parts store.
 
   / Compressor Oil #5  
yep.. if no compressor on in stock.. then 30wnon det..
( lowes and tsc carry compressor oil for sure )
you CAN get synthetic compressor oil now as well.
 
   / Compressor Oil
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thanks for the info. everyone!
 
   / Compressor Oil #7  
For a lot of years, I used 30W motor oil, but my current 6+ year old compressor's manual says "NOTE: The compressor is pre-filled with synthetic oil. We recommend using a good quality 10W-30 synthetic motor oil for this pump." So I use the Ingersoll-Rand All Season Select Lubricant. It ain't cheap, but I run my compressor a lot and sometimes continuously for long periods of time. And it hardly uses any at all between changes.
 
   / Compressor Oil #8  
some new lawnmowers say the same... getting away from the old 30w dinosaur days.. :)
 
   / Compressor Oil #9  
some new lawnmowers say the same... getting away from the old 30w dinosaur days.. :)

Since my little Toro ZTR has a Kohler engine, I'm using the Kohler 10W-30 oil. I asked my dealer who makes it and he said he didn't know. I'm curious, and of course, it's expensive oil, but to change once a year, I figure it's not bad. I don't think it's synthetic, but I can't say for sure. The manual does say, "Synthetic oils will provide better starting in extreme cold below -23C (-10F)." And no, I'm not kidding.:laughing: But I've never mowed my yard when the temperature was 10 below zero.:laughing: I couldn't believe that was in there.
 
   / Compressor Oil #10  
i have a lil farm CUV thing like a golf cart. they reccomend 15w40 though say 30w is 'ok'
 

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