Compressor oil?

Searching just shows me how Aimsoil is better than any other type of oil.

Got a portable compressor for Christmas and I have to fill it with compressor oil (15w/30). Is there anything special about compressor oil over conventional motor oil? I'm sure motor oil has detergents that the compressor doesn't need.

Any reason why I can't use just regular oil?

-Rob

In reply to rob_lewis:

Mine just has the bottle of compressor oil that was on the shelf at Sears when I went to pick it up. Probably about due for a change.

Conventional oils will foam.

Buy the stuff labelled "Air Compressor Oil" or any 30-wt non-detergent.

Shawn

Are all comps. 30wt? Are any 90wt?

My compressor (Home Depot Husky 60 gal) came with a big tag attached with a warning to use only Mobil 1 0w30 oil. So that's what's in mine.

Repaired lots and lots of compressors at my shop. All we ever used was 30wt ND dino-juice.

If you run 90, I'll bet the added drag will trip your circuit breaker.

Shawn

I needed to change the oil in the compressors at home (Speedaire-5hp-60gal-2stg-quad) and at work (Also Speedaire-5hp-80gal-2stg-2cyl).

Since I'm happy to drop $100 on a fluid change for the M3 and love my big green compressor so dearly I threw down when I was ordering from McMaster-Carr and got a gallon of Mobil Rarus 427 compressor oil. It stays very clean, and it's cool having gallons of industrial lubricants around the shop. I also use Mobil Vactra #2 way oil on the machines, and #4 on vises.

If you like the Mobil industrial lubes, check out Mobil SHC630. Dunno about compressor applications, but I use it in any gear application that doesn't have syncros or clutches (too slippery).

It's a piston with rings, just like a car, so I broken mine on no-detergent motor oil with all the valves wide open, so it was not working hard, then switched to Mobil 1.

Jack