an oil free air compressor

[Kevin Stenberg]

Long story short. I was given an oil free air compressor that mite or mite not work. It did not have an oil cap and the oil level was almost empty.
I tested it out just like it was. No problem making air pressure and holding it.
Oil cap no problem to make or buy. My question of the day is. Is the cooling oil standard amoung all compressors? Can i get any generic comp. oil and have it work? Workforce (comp. manufacturer) naturally has their own brand of oil the push you to use. High buck little bottle.

 

[Ian]

It's a special oil for reciprocating compressors, and comes in a variety of "weights" like engine oil. Any recip oil of the weight specfied on (hopefully) a the label on the air end will work. Many are ISO weight 100, 68, or 46.

 

[KeithB]

No experience with "oil-free" compressors, we have two fairly large V twin type air compressors and just use a good quality air compressor oil in them. One is over 15 years old, we have torn it down in the last year and replaced all the gaskets. The oil was surprisingly clean, it had never been changed but appeared fine. W/o any combustion products and with good air filtration the oil lasts pretty long. Maybe one of the mechanic types here will tell you more, I would probably opt for any good oil of the proper type.

 

[KeithB]

I'd take Ian's advice.

 

[Ian]

It's detergent-free, non-foaming, and does break down over time due to heat, shear, and moisture contamination. So it should be changed regularly despite lack of combustion acids etc.

 

[Bret4207]

My compressor, a big twin cylinder commercial job, was built in 1959. It's my age. I've had it at least 20 year and my FIL had it at least 20 before that. I was told to use 30 wt non-detergent compressor oil, available at at least some auto parts stores that handle auto body repair supplies. Not sure that helps. In my little pancake type compressors I've used everything from ATF to the 30 wt compressor oil and never saw any effect either way.

 

[Ian]

ISO 100 (SAE 30) is probably the most common. Unless it runs at 100% duty cycle for hours, it likely won't make any difference as long as an ND oil is used. Any oil is better than none....

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

This will just be a standby for when its easier to bring the comp to the job. Than the job to the comp. Used maybe twice a year.
But i am trimming out a new deer stand. An it would be handy to load the compressor and bring it to the stand.
Ian i shall look for the recamended weight