Speedaire Compressor Oil – Changing It, Which To Use & How Much To Use

It can be quite a daunting task trying to figure out how to change your Speedaire compressor oil, how much to use and what the correct oil to use is right? Well, fear no more, I will answer all these questions in relation to Speedaire compressor oil for you.

Table of Contents

• What kind of Oil goes in a Speedaire Compressor?
• How much Speedaire Oil to use in a Speedaire Compressor?
• How to change Speedaire Compressor Oil
• Speedaire Compressor Oil FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What kind of Oil goes in a Speedaire Compressor?

It is extremely important to refer to your compressor manual before purchasing Speedaire oil for your Speedaire compressor. We have a number of Speedaire compressor manuals on our brand page so please check here first!

The manual will tell you what Speedaire oil is compatible with your air compressor; if you cannot locate your manual, or we do not have it on our website, please contact Speedaire directly or visit their website to download a manual for your compressor.

Speedaire Compressor Oils on Amazon

Speedaire is produced by Grainger, which offers high-quality compressor oil that can help keep your Speedaire compressor running smoothly. I have picked out a few Speedaire oils readily available on Amazon that could match your requirements.

The first is the Speedaire IWG49 Compressor Oil embedded below is a synthetic based oil which appears to be suitable for reciprocating air compressors at high and low temperature applications. It allows reciprocating air compressors to operate at 100% continuous duty.

The second is the Speedaire 3FMX7 presented below, this semi-synthetic based air compressor oil is described to be suited to rotary screw compressors.

The Speedaire 53RL89 below is a mineral based oil specifically formulated for reciprocating air compressors with an SAE grade of 30W.

Speedaire Compressor Oils from Grainger

The following Speedaire compressor oils are available on the Grainger website:

• Speedaire 1WG50 – mineral-based oil formulated for reciprocating compressors
• Speedaire 53RL88 – synthetic-based oil formulated for reciprocating compressors
• Speedaire 40HU83 – synthetic-based oil formulated for rotary screw compressors

Alternative to Speedaire Compressor Oils

A few alternatives to Speedaire’s own compressor oils are produced by Mobil. Again, it is very important to ensure the oil is compatible with your air compressor before putting it into the system, so please check first!

The first is the Mobil 101016 Rarus which is suitable for reciprocating air compressors whether they’re single or multistage. This oil lubricant boasts excellent water separability, protection against rust and corrosion, long life for extended oil drain and provides your compressor with very clean air valves.

The second is the Mobil 100870, boasting similar benefits as the previous oil but potential to work with reciprocating, rotary screw and rotary vane compressors.

How much Speedaire Oil to use in a Speedaire Compressor?

It’s very difficult to determine how much Speedaire oil a specific compressor pump requires without having the manual.

If there is no manual available, I advise that you contact Speedaire directly or begin an internet search for the specifications of your Speedaire compressor and its model!

You should be able to obtain the manual for your model online, whether that will cost or not I do not know but, it will provide you with the exact amount of Speedaire oil lubricant you should put into your Speedaire compressor.

Smaller compressors with say less than 1HP electric motors may only use around 6-8oz of Speedaire oil lubricant, however, others will use quarts. I cannot simply give you an exact number on how much you need, though I can give you tips on how to check the Speedaire oil amount inside your compressor and afterwards I’ll describe how to go about changing it.

Speedaire Oil Sight Glass

The sight glass as shown below, allows you to have a look inside the compressor pump to check that there is enough Speedaire oil inside the pump. This image below shows the Speedaire oil being at the correct level half way up the red dot, if you check your compressor sight glass you should look for a similar level to this.

Speedaire Oil Dipstick

Like the majority of cars, air compressor pumps sometimes may not have a sight glass, so instead, look to use the dipstick. They can typically be found as part of the Speedaire oil fill tube cap and extend down into the sump and Speedaire oil.

The dip stick will have markings on it which indicate the Speedaire oils level, take the dipstick out, wipe it and then “dip” it back into the sump and check the dipstick for what level the Speedaire oil is. This can help you understand whether you need to add more Speedaire oil or not.

Alternative Method for Checking Speedaire Oil

Some compressors don’t have a sight glass, unfortunately, though some have a dip-stick built into the Speedaire oil fill cap instead. Check yours before doing anything as it will make refilling the Speedaire oil to the correct level far more easier. An alternative method is draining the Speedaire oil from the tank.

How to Drain Speedaire Oil from the Sump

Look for a plug near the bottom of the compressor pump housing that will thread out. This will be your Speedaire oil drain. And yes, unless you are really careful, you will drip dirty Speedaire oil all over everything. So pick your spot or lay out something beneath the drain, one that won’t be damaged by Speedaire oil leaking onto it in the case that you have a spill.

Now, drain the Speedaire oil out into a reservoir that you can use to estimate about how much Speedaire oil was in your sump. That way you can put the same amount back in, if you don’t have a sight glass or dip stick to measure the Speedaire oil level as previously described.

How to change Speedaire Compressor Oil

Of course, changing Speedaire oil on every model of compressor can be slightly different. Almost all reciprocating type compressors that are Speedaire oil lubed have commonality when it comes to changing their Speedaire oil.

So, the first question you must ask yourself… is your compressor definitely Speedaire oil lubricated?

If you aren’t sure and you cannot locate your manual, navigate to the Speedaire website, find your local outlet using the guide provided, and ask them about your specific model!

Changing Speedaire Compressor Oil Process

All splash-lubed compressors have a Speedaire oil sump somewhere under the compressor pump housing. They even may have a sight glass too which will allow you to see how much Speedaire oil is in the sump.

If you were to run your air compressor without Speedaire oil it will eventually seize, just like your car engine would if you drove it without lubrication.

After draining the Speedaire oil from the compressor following the steps previously described, replace the plug at the bottom of the sump and ensure it is tightened securely.

Near the top of the Speedaire oil sump, usually below the piston housing, there should be a port into which you can add the new Speedaire oil. It’s difficult to be more specific than that as there are so many varying brands and models of compressors, and many have quite different Speedaire oil-adding ports.

Please be careful when filling the compressor with Speedaire oil. I’m not talking about the air intake at the top of the pump housing here. DO NOT put Speedaire oil into that port.

After you have replaced the plug at the bottom of the sump, add the Speedaire compressor oil (not car oil, not 3 in 1 oil, only compressor oil or whatever is advised by your manufacturer) into the fill port until you’ve added about what you’ve removed. A little more than that will be OK, but very little more. You certainly do not want to overfill the sump.

Summary

For ease, the above methodology is simplified into the following steps:

1. Check Speedaire oil level
2. Locate plug beneath sump
3. Drain Speedaire oil into reservoir
4. Tighten plug back into sump
5. Locate Speedaire oil port
6. Replenish the compressor with the same amount of Speedaire oil as removed (do not overfill)

Without access to every air compressor model manual, and assuming that the manual actually tells the reader what the Speedaire oil volume is, there is no way to be anything but vague when providing advice about changing Speedaire compressor oil.

Speedaire Compressor Oil FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Speedaire 4B247A – What kind of lubricating oil

by Michael

I just purchased a used SpeedAire No. 4B247A. I have no Owner’s Manual for it. 1) Is a manual available? and 2) What kind of lubricating oil does it use. I am sure it has never been changed. Please advise

Speedaire 4B247A pump Photo: Grainger.com

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Hello Michael:

More and more stores are selling their own house brands of compressors, and the actual manufacturing origin of those compressors is China.

It is difficult for someone with a house brand compressor to even contact, let alone get meaningful answers from the factory.

Asking a clerk at the store where the compressor comes from generates astonished looks and puzzled frowns; “why sir, it comes from the warehouse in Chicago”, or some such location. They don’t know the source.

Fortunately, you have acquired a Speedaire compressor, yes, a house brand, yet the folks that sell them assure me that they have information and parts for their compressors going back decades.

Here are guidelines for getting Speedaire parts.

Go to that page, and follow instructions to help you find your local Speedaire supplier for parts and manuals.

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What kind of oil should I use in my Speedaire compressor?

by Arnold
(CA)

What kind of oil should I use in my Speedaire compressor. It is time to change and the manual says Mobil with a bunch of letters and numbers. Thanks for your help. I don’t know what the word German is for.

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Hello Mr. Johansen:

There are many different compressor manufacturers that have built Speedaire compressors over the years. That makes it difficult to determine what is best for any specific model. May I suggest the first way to determine the oil for your specific Speedaire compressor is to ask their tech people?

Here is a Speedaire Parts Info Page on which you can find the information about locating your local branch that sells this brand of compressors.

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Speedaire compressor oil

by David montgomery
(Phelan,CA)

I need to know what oil to use in a SPEEDAIRE— Model 3Z492? The unit is quite a few years old, bought in 1980,1981 or so. It’s powered by a dayton electric motor- 3 HP Model 5K675K. It’s still in great shape but I have lost the owners manual.

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Hi David:

Please visit this page, click on the Speedaire air compressors link on that page, and when you are on the Speedaire page, follow the guidelines for finding your closest repair/parts depot.

They will be happy to help, I’m sure. Or, visit your local compressor shop and purchase their recommended compressor oil.

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RE: model 5Z404C – Where do I add oil?

by Gary
(Idaho)

I have a speedair model 5Z404C – the serial number is 960701002. I can see a guage that shows the oil is low, but I cannot find where to put oil in.

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Gary, I don’t know the model. Any chance you can re post with a photo of the top of the compressor. If you can upload two or three shots from various sides, that would help.

All I can say for sure is that since gravity works to pull oil down to the sump, and therefore sight gauge is likely almost directly underneath the fill port.

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Speedaire compressor model 1wd61 and need to know what kind of oil

by Jack
(cairo , illinois)

We have a model 1wd61 and need to what kind of oil to put in compressor and capacity.

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Hello Jack, nice to hear from you.

I get a lot of inquiries about lubricating oil for air compressors, so I put up a few pages of info on the site to help.

Here is oil change info. There is much information on a number of pages linked from this one, Jack.

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What type of oil do i need for your speedaire compressor, model 4b236c

by Grady Dean
(Louisiana)

the compressor that i have has been sitting up for a few years, is there any precautions i should take before running

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Howdy Grady:

It’s good to check and/or change the oil, for sure.

Make sure the tank drain is closed before you start it. I hope that it was left open?

Let it come up to high pressure cutout and shut off. Listen for leaks, particularly if bleeding out the pressure switch, which would indicate a stuck or failed check valve into the tank.

You might even pull the PRV ring to bleed of air, then push it shut again. This should free it up to operate properly if need be.

I would suggest you visit the Speedaire page (click Speedaire link from the Nav Bar) and follow the guides to ask the Speedaire people where you are what’s their recommendation for a compressor lube oil.

Failing that, visit your local compressor store and buy their recommended brand.

Careful you don’t overfill when you change the oil.

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What oil to use in my Speedaire Air Compressor Model 5Z185B

I have a Speedaire model 5Z185B air compressor (model #on the pump itself is 2Z499C. I need to know what type of oil to use for an oil change.

Hi Perry and thanks for writing in.

It were me particularly if, like the photo of one, my compressor was way out of warranty I’d just visit the local compressor shop and pick up enough of their compressor-rated oil for the job.

Just make sure it’s compressor lubricating oil and not an oil for other purposes.

On the other hand, if you want specific brand advice (particularly if the compressor is still under warranty) visit the Speedaire Air Compressors Information page on this site, and follow the guidelines to find your closest Speedaire depot. Give them a shout. They’ll give you specific advice.

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There is water build up in the Speedaire oil block..

by Jay
(Hawaii)

I have a speedaire 5Z640A compressor and I keep getting water mixed in the oil in the oil block in the pump. I keep changing the oil and after a couple of months, I notice the same thing. What could be the problem?

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Hi Jay, thanks for writing in.

Compressing air generates water. If you want to understand why, details are here.

That water generally builds up in the compressor tank. Which is why it’s good practice to drain your compressor tank after every use.

The oil in your compressor is in an oil sump, and I believe yours is splash lubricated, which means that as the crank turns (driven by the electric motor shaft) and the piston moves up and down, oil splashes up onto the parts to keep them lubricated.

If a lot compressor oil was in your air tank, it usually means that the seals on the piston are badly worn, oil is wicking by the seals, and getting driven into the air tank by the compression stroke of the piston.

Is that the case in your compressor? If oil can move one way past the seals, water vapor can move the other way into the sump. That might be a cause.

To my knowledge there’s no connection between the air tank on the compressor and the oil sump. I can’t think of any other way water (condensing in the sump from water vapor) could get into your oil sump.

Anyone else have any ideas for Jay?

Cheers,

Bill

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Changing the oil in the Speedaire motor

by Mike Vinson
(Richmond, CA)

We have a Speedaire 10HP compressor used 5 days a week. How often should the oil be changed and what type of oil would be the best?

thanks,

Mike Vinson
Center Star Mfg

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Bill answers…

Hi Mike:

Five days a week, but for how long each day?

I liken the compressor head to the car engine. If you are using general purpose compressor oil, maybe change it every three or four months?

If using is a synthetic compressor oil, longer between changes.

Best to contact Speedaire directly and get their recommendation for oil change intervals and the compressor oil to be used for your specific compressor.

Click on the Speedaire link on the about different brands page, and follow the guides to find the location nearest you.

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What Lube Oil For A Speedaire Compressor 1Z286?

by Mark
(Oregon City, Oregon)

I just got off the phone with Grainger’s and as much as they were helpful, this particular model is just too old for their records (1960 – 1969).

All I really want to know is what type of oil is recommended to use?

The tech person did tell me to change the oil quarterly and that back then they probably used 10W30. Does this information seem correct?

From what I have gleaned off the Internet is, to use non-detergent oil but most of the blogs are saying to use 30W oil.

I might add that for being so old this compressor is in excellent shape and I would like to keep it that way. Unfortunately it was part of an estate sale so I can not talk the previous owner.

Any and all help will be appreciated.

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Hi Mark:

Far be it from me to “fly in the face” of advice from the company that distributes the compressor. If he says 10W30, then maybe that’s what you should use?

In your shoes I’d visit my local “big box store” and ask them where they send their compressors for repair.

Wherever that is, take your compressor there if it’s portable, and ask them to change the oil for you…the first time. Then you may have a warranty claim of sorts if they use the incorrect oil.

Or, just ask them to sell you the oil you need for your compressor. Take full information on it with you if you can’t take the compressor itself. Same result.

Just document who you talked to so that you can contact them or their boss for advice if you have a problem.

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WHAT IS OIL CAPACITY OF A SPEEDAIRE COMPRESSOR 2Z157B?

Hello. I acquired a speedaire air compressor model number 2z157B and need to know what the oil capacity is? Can I still buy parts for this compressor. Is there a manual around that I could buy?

Also, on the pump case is a Model A-9 and under that is a 3 stamped on it, so asks John Paulsrud.

……….

John was good enough to provide the following photos.

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In reply to John Paulsrud, Doug in s.d.ca writes: https://m.grainger.com/mobile/product/CHAMPION-Air-Compressor-Pump-with-6-2Z157

Not sure if this is anywhere near what you have, but may give a clue.

I found a few (one with many names? ) places that claimed the manual, but they may just be after a logon, so you’ll want to be careful.

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As Doug writes, there are lots of places that say they have a manual but you are required to log in to get it, and they may only be after your email address. Another option is to contact Grainger directly, though their site doesn’t provide any information about the speedaire model number 2z157B at all.

In terms of oil capacity, in the absence of a manual, get a quart of compressor lubricating oil (not automotive oil). Be prepared for an oil flow, and remove the two red plugs. Tilt the unit towards the plugs until all of the existing oil drains out.

Once you’ve cleaned up any mess (:-) then insert the bottom plug, and with fresh oil fill the sump until the oil level reaches the bottom of the threads on the top plug hole. That is the typical fill amount for oil.

Assuming that the fill is less than the quart (though it may take all of a quart so maybe have two?) by seeing what’s left in the new bottle of oil you can determine the fill capacity for that compressor pump.

Good luck, and please let us know how it turns out. Bill

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Dayton Speedaire air compressor 3Z419 what oil and how much

I’m trying to find the oil capacity and what type of oil to use for a Dayton Speedaire air compressor 3Z419? Thanks.

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I did find a photo of one and uploaded it for all to see, just above.

Note the plug on the right of the photo on the base of the pump. That’s either the fill or the drain, I cannot tell which. Check for another plug either above or below this one. The lower will be the oil drain plug, the higher the fill plug.

If only one plug, then I guess to drain the oil it would be necessary to tip the compressor. Odd if that’s the case, but if so, this isn’t the only compressor that requires that to get the oil out.

I suspect it will take less than a quart to fill, and you do want to be careful as you do, that you don’t overfill, as that brings with it its own series of problems.

If you buy either compressor rated lubricating oil at the store, or a 30 W (not 5w-30 or 10w-30, but just 30 weight) none detergent oil, you should be OK.

Why not contact Grainger too and get the specialists recommendation? They own the Speedaire brand and someone may remember this model or have the specs.

If they send you the specs or manual in digital form, why not upload them using the form and I’ll put them up for all to have and download?

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If you have any questions about Speedaire compressor oil, changing it, which to use and how to use it then please leave a comment below with photos if applicable to help others respond to you!