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A warning about synthetic air compressor oil (tool related) 200

This is kind of 240 related as the revelation came to my attention when I went to reinstall the exhaust. Almost a year ago, I replaced my Craftsman oil free shop compressor after it died with an Ingersoll Rand oil based compressor. IR stated we'll double the warranty if you use synthetic oil... cheap insurance for a $15.00 upgrade kit!

Unfortunately, I didn't see any warnings about the synthetic oil potentially attacking plastic components in the air lines (hard plumbed in my case), and the plastic bowl on the filter / water trap.

Well, went out there this evening to do the exhaust and decided using the air ratchet would speed things up, so I opened the outlet valve at the compressor, and "BANG!!!!!" ...followed by a loud hiss. I closed the valve on the compressor and looked around to find the air leak. The first thing I noticed was that the water bowl on the filter/water trap was gone, and there was a hole in the drywall right behind it! It had shattered! Only when I took the filter/water trap out of the line did I find the label that said "WARNING: DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC COMPRESSOR OIL WITH THIS DEVICE, EXPLOSION MAY RESULT"! It took a year, but that warning finally came true.

I'm just glad the compressor was in the closet, so I was "protected" from the plastic shards that flew through the garage.

Just an FYI if you ever plan on switching to synthetic air compressor oil... make sure the down-stream parts can deal with it! Yes, pressure at the compressor was set to 120PSI, and the post filter regulator was set to 60PSI.

My ears are still ringing... and I hate doing drywall work!

jorrell
--
92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!






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New 1 A warning about synthetic air compressor oil (tool related) [200]
posted by  Jorrell  on Tue Oct 16 14:06 CST 2007 >


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