Oil with higher viscosity
Oil with higher viscosity
(OP)
Hi.
Guys, what might be the effects of using a higher viscosity lube oil ?
I mean, if the OEM's recommendation is to use an oil with 150 SSU @ 100F and if you have to use an oil with 210 SSU @ 100F.
What do you think might happen ?
Regards,
Guys, what might be the effects of using a higher viscosity lube oil ?
I mean, if the OEM's recommendation is to use an oil with 150 SSU @ 100F and if you have to use an oil with 210 SSU @ 100F.
What do you think might happen ?
Regards,
RE: Oil with higher viscosity
The higher viscosity may be too thick to feed a plain bearing.
The higher viscosity may be too thick for low temperature startup.
Nothing might happen.
Depends.
Ted
RE: Oil with higher viscosity
Lower pump inlet pressure...
Higher pressure losses...
More energy consumption...
The difference in viscosity is negligible...so you'll probably notice no difference at all.
If the OEM you refer to is the pump supplier, the warranty will be void.
Valve performance would suffer, but I wouldn't imagine thicker oil would harm a valve.
Regards
Adrian
RE: Oil with higher viscosity
Actually they are using now a higher viscosity lube oil, and i suggested to go back to a lower viscosity as per OEM manual.
But, they asked me weather it might make any difference or not.
RE: Oil with higher viscosity
How do the other oil characteristics compare OEM v. current oil? At operating temperature there may be little difference.
Are the journals pressure fed? The higher viscosity may provide a little more load capacity margin. If the lube pump is happy and the journals are happy, no reason to change.
Why do you think the oil should be changed to the OEM spec?
Ted
RE: Oil with higher viscosity
Well, one of the reasons i want to change it back to its original oil is that the original oil is almost half the price. And the only difference between the current oil and the original one is viscosity.
RE: Oil with higher viscosity
One quick test would be to measure the case temperature as close to the bearings as you can get. Then change the oil and remeasure.
ISZ
RE: Oil with higher viscosity
Does the unit run cooler with the more expensive oil or the same as the oem product. Is the unit pressurised before start up? Direct drive lube pumps are all that effiecent until there is head pressure pushing the oil into the pump.
Compressors are awesome heat generators. What type of history do you have on the unit?