[TheForge] Re: Air compressor question

[Kenneth Mayer]

>Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 08:21:28 -0800
>From: "Bob Ehrenberger" <eforge at centurytel.net>
>
>I know this goes around the list every now and then. But I didn't have a
>need until now.
>
>I had a friend give me an old air compressor when he got a new one.  It's
>only 3hp, but better than the jury rigged one that I have been using.
>
>I checked the oil, it was a little low, but black as coal.  I want to change
>it.  Can I use motor oil or do I need to get something specific for
>compressors?  I don't have a lot of options locally all we have is a farm
>supply store (Orscheln's).

Use "air compressor oil".  Its available from any industrial supplier (Grainger, MSC, J&L, Enco, etc) in quarts, gallons and pails.  Its formulated to minimize carbon formation in the valves and other components.

If you don't have any on hand and need to change the oil now, use a non-detergent SAE 20 or 30 engine oil.

Ken
:-)