Generally speaking, the oil in a rotary screw air compressor should be changed every 1,000 to 2,000 operating hours, while the oil in a reciprocating air compressor should be changed every three months. If you notice performance problems with your air compressor, check the oil first, as it may be affecting pressure and efficiency. Good question, Randy, because doing this type of maintenance regularly extends the life and performance of your compressor. First, refer to the owner's manual for oil change intervals.
If you can't find the manual, a good rule of thumb is 200 to 300 hours with conventional engine oil and 1000 hours with synthetic oil. But if you live in a climate with cold winters, change the oil during the fall to a winter grade viscosity (thinner). This is valid for use in the workplace as well as in an unheated workshop. If you can't find the information you need in the owner's manual, there are some general rules that can help you.
For the average rotary screw compressor, try to change the oil approximately every 7000-8,000 hours the machine is in use. If you have a reciprocating air compressor, on the other hand, try to change the oil approximately every 2-3 months. Whatever happens and at least you should change your oil once a year. Reciprocating compressors use pistons driven by a crankshaft to compress gas.
Routine oil changes are necessary to avoid metal-to-metal contact. As a general rule, most manufacturers recommend changing the oil every three months or after 500 hours of operation. You can also refer to the manufacturer's manual, which should detail a recommended frequency for oil changes. Changing the oil in most owner/contractor compressors is easier than changing the oil in your car or truck.
Unfortunately, compressor maintenance tends to be overlooked, as it's easy to ignore the air compressor until it breaks down. Changing the oil will help prevent this. Here's how to change the compressor oil. Use a small funnel, piece of metal, or other device to direct old oil into the pan.
As I said, it's a simple task that anyone with basic tools can perform. Make it part of your home maintenance program to keep your compressor running for many years to come. While a reciprocating compressor works with on/off settings, a rotary screw compressor works continuously. When the compressor is running, depending on the size and type of air compressor, oil splashes from the crankcase to areas requiring lubrication, or there will be an integral pump to pump oil from the crankcase to parts that need continuous lubrication while the compressor is running.
The type of compressor you have and how often you use it will affect how often you will need to change the oil in your air compressor. They are factory lubricated for life, so you can't change the compressor oil in these compressors because, for starters, there's nothing to change. Help protect against wear and tear, resist water pollution, reduce heat, and maximize compressor life. Below is a picture of a typical DIY air compressor, centered on the compressor head and the 4 components you'll need to identify in your compressor for when it comes to an oil change.
Air compressor oil has the right additives to make it suitable for the harsh lubrication environment of the compressor. Personally, my garage can range from -20°F (-29°C) in January to almost 38°C (100°F) in July, so I want to make sure that the compressor oil can withstand such a wide temperature range. This type of compressor is often used in large-scale industrial applications due to the continuous movement of the screws. Regardless of how often you use the compressor and the operating conditions, check the oil level each time you use it.
As noted above, how often you change the oil in your air compressor depends on the type of air compressor you have. .
