After two catastrophic rod bearing failures my boss is reconsidering devoting time to changing the oil in our compressors. I have chosen Amsoil's 30/40 ISO 100 oil as it covers what is specified by Speedaire and Saylor Beall. Here is the question. The recommended OCI with regular ISO 100 oil is 500 hours or 3 months. What is a safe OCI with synthetic? I already know that my boss will not support UOA. I was thinking that 6 months might be safe, but honestly I am just not sure. Thanks for any input.
Compressor OCI with synthetic oil
- Thread starter Jocko
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i change the oil in our shop compressor 2x a year.it runs a whole lot,especially when sandblasting. its been going since 1983
JHZR2
Staff member
This is a prime application for UOA. Pull a sample at the standard interval, and look for oxidation, metals, etc.
Compressor oils usually have only an "R&O" (rust and oxidation) add pack, so it should be doing well in those areas, but you want to look for water, oxidation/viscosity changes, etc.
Compressor oils usually have only an "R&O" (rust and oxidation) add pack, so it should be doing well in those areas, but you want to look for water, oxidation/viscosity changes, etc.
Originally Posted By: Chris142
i change the oil in our shop compressor 2x a year.it runs a whole lot,especially when sandblasting. its been going since 1983
The compressor end hasn't been opened-up in ~31yrs of use? That's downright amazing if so!
i change the oil in our shop compressor 2x a year.it runs a whole lot,especially when sandblasting. its been going since 1983
The compressor end hasn't been opened-up in ~31yrs of use? That's downright amazing if so!
Originally Posted By: Chris142
i change the oil in our shop compressor 2x a year.it runs a whole lot,especially when sandblasting. its been going since 1983
I wanna know the make of the compressor if this is true!
i change the oil in our shop compressor 2x a year.it runs a whole lot,especially when sandblasting. its been going since 1983
I wanna know the make of the compressor if this is true!
Isn't a UOA cheaper than a compressor?
Oneeye one would think so. But my boss errs on the cheap and fast side of things. His theory would probably be if I need to check the oil then I can just change the oil at the same time. Really I was blown away that he didn't fight me on using synthetic oil, but that was due to the possibility of extending the OCI. I am thinking that 6 months should probably be safe. Most of the compressors haven't had their oil changed in a few years. I think that this is a step in the right direction.
MolaKule
Staff member
I assume your boss was using a simple 30 weight API SA oil?
If so, it is no wonder he has had bearing failures.
API SA oil has no anti-wear OR R&O capabilities.
The Amsoil compressor oil has Anti-wear (AW) plus rust and oxidation (R&O) inhibitors.
I think you are on the right path by being a conscientious employee.
If so, it is no wonder he has had bearing failures.
API SA oil has no anti-wear OR R&O capabilities.
The Amsoil compressor oil has Anti-wear (AW) plus rust and oxidation (R&O) inhibitors.
I think you are on the right path by being a conscientious employee.
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