Lubricant MSDS Info
| Service Hours vs Temperature | Viscosity Chart | FAQ on Mixing Oils

* These fluids
can varnish at high temperatures. If these occurs, a diester flush
(250-500 hours maximum depending on severity) should be included in
the changeout procedure. View our compressor
cleaner/flush.
Service Hours vs
Temperature
Often the subject
of how long compressor oil will last at a particular temperature is
asked. This depends on several factors, including application,
cleanliness of air, base fluid of the oil, etc.
We have predicted
operating life of various compressor oils based on good operating
conditions in our literature.
Generally, they are:
- • 2 - 4,000 hours for food grade USDA
H-1 PAO oils
- • 6 - 8,000 hours for
PAO
- • 8,000 hours for diester
oils
- • 8,000 hours for polyglycol/ester
base oils
- • 8 - 10,000 hours for PAO/POE base oils
- • 10 - 12,000 hours for POE base oils
As temperatures
increase, the oil life is drastically decreased, especially above
210°F.
Some typical
numbers others and we have used are as follows:
Temperature |
PAO |
Diester |
POE
Blend |
PE
Coolants |
POE |
180 -
190°F |
8,000 |
8,000 |
10,000 |
11,000 |
12,000 |
190 -
200°F |
6,000 |
8,000 |
9,000 |
10,000 |
11,000 |
200 -
210°F |
4,000 |
6,000 |
8,000 |
9,000 |
10,000 |
210 -
220°F |
2,000 |
4,000 |
5,000 |
7,000 |
9,000 |
Diester oils will
take more abuse and provide superior detergency to PAO
products.
These figures are non-specific and "Rule of Thumb".
Viscosity Chart

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT MIXING DIFFERENT OILS
Can I top off the existing compressor oil with
another oil?
Will I invalidate the compressor warranty by using
aftermarket oils?
What does mixing "different oils" mean?
What about mixing "Coolants"?
What is the condition of the old oil that is already
in the compressor?
Can I top off the existing
compressor oil with another oil?
eCompressedair does not recommend mixing two different oils. When
doing so, a third oil is created. The resulting third oil may vary
significantly depending on the mixing ratio, i.e. 50/50, 90/10,
10/90, etc. Additionally, these different mixtures have never been
tested for extended periods of time in various makes of
compressors. This means that expected oil life is not
predictable.
Back to top ^
Will I invalidate the compressor
warranty by using aftermarket oils?
Strictly speaking, the compressor manufacturer cannot require a
customer to use their oil unless it is an "extended warranty"
whereby the customer purchases a kit that comes with that warranty.
Most oils contain identifiable components, additives or tracers.
Oil manufacturers can tell when their oil has been blended with
another oil. Contaminating one oil with another is typically
sufficient grounds to invalidate warranty or insurance
claims.
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What does mixing "different oils"
mean?
We mean different chemistries. Generally, oils of a similar base
fluid, such as PAO, may be mixed with another PAO. A diester may be
mixed with another diester, and a petroleum may be mixed with
another petroleum of the same quality. The small additive
differences are usually not significant.
Back to top ^
What about mixing
"Coolants"?
The compressor oils referred to as "Coolants" are oils like
Sullube and Ingersoll-Rand SSR Ultracoolant. They are comprised of
a particular ester and a polyalkylene glycol. Due to the popularity
of these oils there are many aftermarket products that are referred
to as "Coolants", when in fact they may contain neither of the two
key base fluids found in the original "Coolants".
Back to top ^
What is the condition of the old
oil that is already in the compressor?
The old oil may have been run past or nearly past its normal
useful life. If it is topped off, and then there is a failure, the
new oil gets blamed.
The old oil should not be topped off with another oil if the old
oil is not in good condition. Top-off with the same fluid, as
required, and schedule the compressor for a change-out as soon as
convenient. Sometimes the old oil is topped off with the same fluid
to replenish additives that may have been depleted.
If the old oil has developed an acid number well in excess of 1.0,
then schedule the compressor for a flush with Ultraclean.