The difference between engine oil and air compressor oil is that compressor oil has no detergents. Generally, your compressor will perform better if you use precisely formulated air compressor oil. While you might be able to run a dab of compressor oil through your air tool, you will not want to put air tool oil into your compressor.
Sometimes when you cannot find air compressor oil to run your compressor, you need other lubricants that you can use instead. I know the struggle to find a replacement for compressor oil. Please note, these substitutes can help you run the air compressor in an emergency case, but the performance will not be the same that you can get using the best air compressor oil. Say your air compressor leaked all the oil and you need to run it immediately, in such emergency, you can use substitute oil.
Air compressors also require cooling of components and try to avoid friction wear and tear so, seeing as these tasks ATF can complete effectively are very similar to those required in air compressors, ATF is very commonly used as air compressor substitute oil. The base oil and antioxidants help in avoiding degradation during compression, when the air is driven through the oil which may cause oxidation and premature failure of oil. Hydraulic oils are typically suited for work in small garages, and may not perform as well as air compressor oil when it comes to bigger industrial sized piston air compressors.
Before buying any air compressor oil replacements, note that the performance of a substitute oil will never be similar to an ideal air compressor oil. Characteristically, hydraulic oil has a few special features, making them an ideal substitute for air compressor oil. Synthetic oil is another best substitute for air compressor oil.
Motor oil can be used in place of air compressor oil, but it needs to meet a few important criteria if you don’t want to damage your compressor pump. Most air compressor warranties stipulate that the warranty will be voided if you use anything other than the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant in the compressor – whether that’s a specific brand or simply a particular grade of compressor oil. Just like the oil in your vehicle’s engine needs to be changed periodically, so does your air compressor oil.
Non-detergent motor oil can work on an air compressor. Typically, compressor manufacturers will recommend a 20 weight or 30 weight compressor oil. Air-compressor oil is manufactured specifically for use in lubricating the ball bearings inside a compressor and is generally the recommended choice by manufacturers of air compressors.
Air compressor oils, lubricants, are specifically developed and tested for respective compressor types and requirements. Due to the fact that compressor oil is used for cooling and sealing, its required to be special and high-quality that is difficult to substitute with alternatives like motor oil – but we’ll dig into potential alternatives later. All oils contain additives which you must pay special attention to, so you’re aware of which ones are present in the oil you intend to purchase.
air compressor oil substitute Related Question:
What can I substitute for compressor oil?
Hydraulic oil: Hydraulic oil possesses multiple qualities that make it an acceptable substitute for air compressor oils. It has a lower viscosity in colder temperatures, which means it can flow more freely given its low density. For this reason, hydraulic oil works best when temperatures are lower.
Can I use 10W30 in my air compressor?
Can you use 10W30 in your air compressor? No. The recommendation by manufacturers of air compressors and the advice of air compressor experts is to use air compressor oils without detergents. Since 10W30 contains detergents, it should not be used.
Can I use regular oil in my air compressor?
It is possible to use a standard weight motor oil in your compressor. While this isn’t the top recommendation, it could get you by. Generally, it is not recommended to run a multi-viscosity oil in a compressor since it might cause foaming issues. Sticking with a 20W or 30W oil is your best choice.
Is SAE 30 non detergent?
SAE 30 is typically a non detergent motor oil used in small engines. Detergent oils contain special additives designed to trap and suspend dirt and dissolve engine oil sludge in the oil until it’s changed. A non detergent oil doesn’t have these additives.
What is a non detergent motor oil?
Non-Detergent Type Motor Oil is an economy-priced motor oil for non-critical gasoline engines operating under mild conditions which do not require detergent, antiwear, or other protective additives. It is available in SAE 30 grade, and in limited areas, SAE 40.
What is the difference between air compressor oil and motor oil?
Air-compressor oil is usually a synthetic oil that does not contain detergents commonly found in motor oil. Air-compressor oil is manufactured specifically for use in lubricating the ball bearings inside a compressor and is generally the recommended choice by manufacturers of air compressors.
Can I use detergent oil in a compressor?
Typically, a motor oil (for your car or truck) is going to have some type of detergent in it, which is beneficial to an internal combustion engine but for a compressor it is not going to be the best choice because it will actually cause a lot more carbon build up in a fairly short amount of time.
Is synthetic oil non detergent?
The technical advantages of synthetic motor oils include: Measurably better low- and high-temperature viscosity performance at service temperature extremes. Increased horsepower and torque due to less initial drag on engine. Does not contain detergents.
Does synthetic oil have detergents?
Yes, Synthetic oils have detergents. Synthetic oils and motor oils are good for car or bike engines.
What is a high detergent motor oil?
Used for gasoline engines, this mineral oil based oil is combined with an additive package that resists rust, oxidation, wear, and corrosion. This motor oil will also fight against the creation of sludge and deposits.
What does HD stand for on oil?
HD oils are Heavy Duty- meaning they have extra additives for extended high temp and conditons, but other than that, they’re the samethe extra cost for HD oils isn’t warranted for use in a lawn mower, but it’s fine to use if that’s what yo. It doesn’t appear to be a standard term.
What is 30 weight detergent oil?
SAE 30 w is usually a (non detergent) motor oil that is usually used on small engines like lawn mowers, generators, and other 4stroke lawn and garden tools. 30 is the viscosity or how think it is. on most iols that will vary with temp, like a 5w-30 will be much thinner at colder temps than say a 30w-50 oil.
What’s the difference between non-detergent oil and detergent?
Detergent additives are the one that differentiates between a detergent oil and a non-detergent oil. If the engine or motor oil contains detergent additives in it, it is called a detergent oil. If there are no detergent additives added, then the oil is called as non-detergent oil.
Are all motor oils detergent?
The average motor oil today comes with a standard mix of detergents, additives, corrosion preventers and a number of other chemicals. All of these elements are expected to help engines work better and longer.
Where can I use non-detergent oil?
Non-detergent motor oil is commonly used in lawnmower engines because mower engines are not used daily like passenger vehicles; the engines are not as large as in passenger vehicles; and do not contain multiple cylinders and as many components as passenger vehicles.
