Proper Oil Speedaire compressor model 3Z424

by Robert
(Missouri (US))

I purchased an older Speedaire compressor (air compressor model is 3Z424, compressor pump model is 2Z499B, motor is 9K324P) and assumed that the full synthetic Speedaire compressor oil Grainger sells at about $28/quart was the right oil.

I dutifully filled the crankcase of the compressor and reinstalled the plug (loosely). The oil had been drained prior to transport by the previous owner.

I wanted to wait a while and recheck the oil level, so I started reading all the labels, etc. on the machine while I wiped it all down to the beautiful green paint.

I found a message that said something to the effect of: Use only 10w-40 motor oil in the crankcase.

My question is: Should I drain the Speedaire recip pump compressor oil out and fill it with Mobil-1 Full Synthetic 10w-40 (trashing my $30 quart of oil from Grainger)? Or is the Speedaire oil the hot ticket? Or do you have another suggestion?

Thanks a ton for any help you can lend. I just hate to burn this thing up, but also hate to trash that expensive lube.

Robert

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Bill says...

Robert, I'll never fly in the face of a manufacturer's recommendations for the right oil to use in their air compressors.

However, everything I've read about synthetic oil suggests that it is a better alternative to the fossil fuel oils that we have been used to for decades.

It were me I wouldn't hesitate to use the synthetic... but then I can't afford it for my compressor! :-)

Check out my OIL page for more info.

Cheers,

Bill