Does temperature affect service hours?
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:
• 2,000 - 4,000 hours for food grade USDA H-1 PAO oils
• 6,000 - 8,000 hours for PAO
• 8,000 hours for diester oils
• 8,000 hours for polyglycol/ester base oils
• 8,000 - 10,000 hours for PAO/POE base oils
• 10,000 - 12,000 hours for POE base oils
| 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 |
Basic Standards for Increased Temperatures:
Diester oils will provide superior detergency to PAO products.
These figures are non-specific.
Can I top off the existing compressor oil with another oil?
ISS advises against mixing different oils. When mixed, a new oil is formed that can change greatly based on the ratios used, such as 50/50, 90/10, or 10/90. Moreover, these unique mixtures have not been tested over long durations across various air compressor brands. As a result, the expected lifespan of the oil remains uncertain.
Will I invalidate the compressor warranty by using aftermarket oils?
The compressor manufacturer cannot mandate that a customer use their oil unless the customer opts for an "extended warranty," which involves purchasing a specific kit that includes that warranty. Most oils have unique components, additives, or tracers that make them identifiable. Oil manufacturers can determine if their product has been mixed with another type of oil. Mixing different oils is usually enough to void warranty or insurance claims.
What does mixing "different oils" mean?
We are referring to distinct chemistries. Oils of a similar base fluid, like PAO, can typically be combined with another PAO. A petroleum can be blended with another petroleum of the same quality, and a diester can be mixed with another diester. Usually, the slight additive variations don't matter.
What about mixing "Coolants"?
The compressor oils that are referred to as "Coolants" are Ingersoll-Rand SSR Ultracoolant and Sullube. They consist of a polyalkylene glycol and a specific ester. Because these oils are so popular, a lot of aftermarket products are called "Coolants" even though they do not include either of the two essential base fluids that were present in the original "Coolants."
Can I top off compressor oil with the same oil?
It's possible that the old oil has been used past or almost past its typical useful life. The new oil is held accountable if it is topped off and a failure occurs.
If the previous oil is not in good condition, it should not be topped off with another oil. If necessary, top out with the same fluid, and arrange for a compressor replacement as soon as it's practical. Occasionally, the same fluid is used to top off the old oil in order to restore any depleted additives.
Plan to flush the compressor with Ultraclean if the old oil has developed an acid value significantly higher than 1.0.
