Ingersall Rand Air Compressor Oil

[petef]

I have a 25 year old Ingersall Rand Type 10 single stage Air Compressor (60 Gal w/5HP Electric motor) PN: T10560v1. The manual calls out for Oil as follows:

SAE 40-50 Napthenic Oil
W/Rust inhibitors and Oxidation inhibitors
Non-Detergent

Since those specs are from 25 years ago and the oil technology has changes so much, I can't find any oil with those specs. What is the
proper oil to use these days that meets or exceeds those specs?

As a side issue, what is so special about NAPTHENIC oil?

---pete---

[MagicRat]

Oil-type air compressors are simple devices that have changed very little over the years.

You will do fine with any oil designed for air compressors. The idea here is to use an SAE 30 or 40 oil with rust and oxidation inhibitors, but does not have detergents.

This means you cannot use ordinary engine oil, as that has detergents.

As I recall, most compressor oil seems to be SAE 30 or so. If you are concerned that you should use a heavier oil. you might find SAE 40 or 50 oil without detergents. Better industrial stores sell such oil specifically for air compressors.

http://www.allserviceoil.com/AMSOIL_...essor_Oil.html

As for napthenic oil..... it is less likely to form deposits (which can gum up the compressor valves) than other oils. I'm not sure, but it makes sense that all compressor oils would be napthenic anyways

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphthenic_oil

[petef]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

You will do fine with any oil designed for air compressors. The idea here is to use an SAE 30 or 40 oil with rust and oxidation inhibitors, but does not have detergents.

Thanks for the detailed reply!

Now I'm trying to find a place to buy the oil. I go to HomeDepot.com to find some air compressor oil. I find some, but when I look up the specs it just gives me the size and weight of the oil container. Agggggggggg!!!

Next I go to Sears.com because I know they sell air compressors. Again, if you look at the product details online there are no details. Arggggggggggg!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...2&blockType=G2

I run into this kind of problem all the time shopping for items. If they'd only provide more details on the package itself or the online descriptions it would sell a lot more product.

Anyone have any suggestions which local chainstore I can go to or where online I can go to first get detailed specs (ie, non-detergent, SAE 40-50) and purchase a couple of quarts of air compressor oil?

---pete---