On Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:02:38 -0400, blueman wrote:

"Mike Marlow" writes:

blueman wrote:


- Should the oil be replaced at regular intervals?

Should you read your owner's manual?


- If so, is there a good general rule of thumb for how freqently to
replace (either in terms of calendar time or usage)?


I bet that manual may just answer this question...

Unfortunately not - it's a Harbor Freight so manual = minimalist
(though as I said in my original post I have paid back the original $99
purchase price many times over just in the savings from not having to
call the sprinkler blowout guy)

Most of their (larger) compressor manuals call for annual oil changes.
I just checked the 1-3/4hp, 3hp 5gal, and 3hp 21gal.


- Also the manual says use "30 weight non-detergent oil". Can I use
the oil so labeled at an auto parts store or do I still need to buy
"special" compressor oil of that weight?


You can indeed use the motor oil in the auto parts stores. I would use
something like Mobil 1 myself, but regual motor oil is really good enough.

Can you get Mobil 1 in a 30weight non-detergent?

That's overkill. Spend ten bucks on a gallon of Castrol and it'll
last you 5 years or so.

--
Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
-- Demosthenes