Originally Posted By: Sierra048
I was searching for info on a question I had and I found this thread. I've had my belt driven air compressor for 3 1/2 years. It's not used everyday and until I installed three hard lines in my garage and workshop it ran infrequently. Not so much now since I keep it on all the time. I decided to change the oil today. On the side of the compressor it recommended SAE-30 or a 10W-40 full synthetic. I grabbed a couple of $2.99 quarts of PYB SAE-30 from the Tractor Supply sale and changed it. Once I finished and was cleaning up, I realized that it was supposed to be non-detergent SAE-30. I'm don't understand why the 30 weight has to be non-detergent and the 10W-40 can be. Am I OK or should I drain it out and replace it. Can some one help explain why, one way or the other. Thanks for the help.
It sounds to me that the manufacturer incriminated themselves. Other than automotive
engineers, I think that some of these engineers just recommend their opinion on a motor oil. But for this air compressor company to recommend one extreme to the other, I am sure something in the middle sure won't hurt it. Unless someone else has a reason a detergent 30 weight won't work, I don't see no reason to drain it. But than why do they recommend 10w40 full synthetic, let along all 10w40 are detergent oils, do they allow you to us a detergent oil?