synthetic vs conventional compressor oil?

Caspian · Aug 18, 2010

I have an air compressor that gets used once every few weeks.

should i fill it with conventional compressor oil and change it every couple years or synthetic and not worry about it for a lot longer? is synthetic compressor oil like synthetic car oil (longer b/t changes, better for lubricity)?

thanks
caspian

NewMexicoairman · Aug 18, 2010

I would go with the standard air compressor oil and change every year,
A lot of people that use synthetic oil seem to never check the oil level and the run the compressor low on oil.
I have some shops that is all thay want is synthetic oil.
I service a Champion air compressor that was built in 1967 and has had the oil change every 500 hours or 3 months and has never had a problem.
It is is in a auto body shop so it get used hard.

Andrew
the compressor guy

bspooh · Aug 18, 2010

yeah, I would just stick with what the manual says and change when you have to...

years ago, i brought in a Lubrication specialist from where I buy my oil...We went through every manual of every machine that i had, and he helped me define exactly what oil we should be putting in the machines...

It is amazing that I had about 8 different types of oil prior to his visit...after we were done, it turned out that i only needed i believe about 3 different ones...

it was well worth the time..

brent

dkmc · Aug 18, 2010

Amsoil synthetic and change it every two years.....but check it every couple months.
Standard non-detergent or mineral oil can contain high amounts of ash which will build up as coke on valves if the unit runs hot enough. The deposits will eventually lead to service being required on the valves. Much less chance of that with ashless synthetic oil. If not for carbon deposits on valves, many compressor repairman might be without a job.

john hawkins · Aug 18, 2010

compressor oil

Here at the plant we have 2 50 hp screws and a 25 hp screw. We use comp lube 10 synthetic. We have the oil lab tested @ 6 mo intervials. We use the compressors 11 hr days X 6. So I say yes to comp lube 10. BTY the compressors were made in the same town as Monarch Tool

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