Hello All,
I am having trouble with my Bostich pancake compressor. It does not want to get going when the tempature falls below 40 degrees. It is about ten years old but does this every year. Would some thinner oil help? Do all compressors to this?
John Keller
Replies
Thinner oil would help... just make sure it's still compatible with your compressor.
I think the best thing that can be done most of the time is to let the compressor ride shotgun to work with you. Let it get nice and toasty before you fire it up.
Even with a lighter oil in the winter time we often have to put my big 20 gallon gasser in front of the tailpipe of the truck for awhile to get it going.
Would some thinner oil help?"
Yes to get it started, No for engine life..
Even the new 0w/40 oil synthetic IMO is not very good. Years ago the auto manufactures all went to rollerized cams, and the EPA mandated the removal of lead and zinc from oil'cause once they made the move to that valvetrain, they didn't need it
The way to go now is a blend of light synthetic with flat tappet cam, break-in lube (it has lots of lead and zinc).....but I didn't'ty tell you that. LOL
WSJ
rollerized cams??
If you mean hyralic lifters, then yes, thats most common now, instead of silid lifters...but roller rockers are very uncommon in production cars.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
If you mean hyralic lifters, then yes, thats most common now, instead of silid lifters
No, since the mid-eighties camshafts (solid or hydraulic) have been rollerized, negating the needf for lead and zinc in the oil.
WSJ
I'm not sure what you mean by "rollerized". I race cars and while I am no Ernie Elliot, I have heard of a lot of stuff,,,,but not this. Fill me in.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
The lifters have rollers on them, similar to the rollers on roller lifters. I believe they are available in hydraulic and solid.
The cam must be designed for use with the roller lifter, the lobes are typically much more rounded.
I think the ls1 uses them, but other than that I thought they were reserved for the aftermarket due to expense.
I thought they were reserved for the aftermarket due to expense"
Dan,
Many, many years ago, yes.
All the OEM's changed over decades ago went to rollers due to EPA mandated MPG requirements (roller cams have less friction). Since the camshaft and lifters were the greatest source of wear, a side benefit was they were able to reduce the lubricity of the spec. for the oil. ie. make it cleaner.
EPA recognized this, and reduced the allowable levels of toxic metals in oil, just like gasoline. One of the reasons you can only buy leaded fuels and motor oil for "off road use/aviation 110LL." Savy gearheads know this. and blend cam break-in lube into synthetic.
WSJ
Edited 11/27/2005 6:02 pm ET by WorkshopJon
Edited 11/27/2005 6:03 pm ET by WorkshopJon
Edited 11/27/2005 6:03 pm ET by WorkshopJon
My 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.3 L engine has roller lifters.
You have some recommended names for this break-in lube ?
America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote.
Luka,
All the aftermarket cam mfr's (Crane, Comp, Lunati) sell it. ~$6.00 container. It's a paste, but blends with motor oil. Using it in a modern motor might screw up some of the sensors, but for a non EFI application, it's the ticket.
Jon
Last time I saw (and used) the stuff, I was warned not to get too much of it in the motor as I was reassembling it.What is your recommendation on amounts ?
America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote.
Luka,
Using it only as you have, I don't know. I do know, as I stated earlier, the lubricating metals have been removed from most oil and gasoline sold for on public highway use.
Maybe an automotive web site forum member could tell you
Jon
Oiled compressors have a tendancy to not run as "smoothly" in the colder weather. If all you need is a pancake compressor, it may not be to expensive to get a second compressor that is oil-free for the colder months and have as a back-up during the warmer months.
Synthetic oil made for compressors, not cars.
I just point a 500 watt work light at mine for 5 minutes or so in the morning, then it runs fine.
my 10+ year old rolair (hot dog style) still does not want to start when it is cold
warming it with a 500 watt halogen does work (pump end)
saw a compressor on one job that had a capacitor attached, was told it was for cold weather starts (came from the interior of british columbia where it gets colder than here on the coast)
any electric motor mechanics out there who can tell use if this works and where we can get these?