Can I add an air compressor with ordinary engine oil?

It is not recommended to use ordinary engine oil to add to the air compressor.

The following is a detailed analysis of the cause:

1. Performance differences:

   • There are significant differences in performance between air compressor oil and automobile oil. Air compressor oil needs to have better oxidation resistance, high temperature resistance, emulsification resistance and other properties to meet the operating needs of air compressors in high temperature and high pressure environments.
   • Ordinary engine oil is mainly used for lubrication of internal combustion engines such as automobiles and motorcycles. Its performance requirements are relatively low and cannot meet the special lubrication requirements of air compressors.

2. Electric oil spoilage and pollution:

   • When the air compressor is running, it will produce a high-temperature and high-pressure environment. Ordinary engine oil is prone to deterioration and thickening in this environment, and even decomposes at high temperature to produce oil sludge and carbon accumulation.
   • These pollutants will clog the oil circuit and filter of the air compressor, affecting the fluidity and lubrication effect of the engine oil, and thus causing corrosion and wear to the inside of the machine.

3. Chemical reactions and performance degradation:

   • The chemical additives contained in different brands or grades of engine oils are different. These additives may react chemically when mixed, resulting in a decrease in performance of engine oil.
   • For example, some engine oils may have excellent antioxidant properties, while others may focus more on anti-wear properties. After mixing, these excellent performances may not be fully utilized.

4. Increase maintenance costs:

   • Using ordinary engine oil may cause frequent failure of the air compressor, increasing maintenance costs and downtime.
   • When changing the oil, the sludge and metal chips deposited inside also need to be cleaned, which will also increase maintenance costs.

5. Advantages of special lubricants:

   • Special lubricants usually add special ingredients that are heat-resistant, oxidation-resistant, rust-resistant and anti-corrosion-resistant, and use synthetic base oils, which have a high viscosity.
   • These characteristics enable special lubricants to operate stably in high temperature and high pressure environments, effectively avoiding the problem of deterioration and thickening of engine oil, and are also more environmentally friendly.

Therefore, in order to ensure the normal operation of the air compressor and extend the service life, it is recommended that users choose special lubricating oil suitable for air compressors. When selecting lubricating oil, the appropriate oil type and viscosity grade should be selected according to the model and specification of the air compressor, as well as the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions.