Bambi Compressor

[Flash]

Run out of Bambi Compressor oil, what would happening if I was to use 20/50 motor oil instead?

[algsoul]

had mine 34 tears and i just use a little universal oil from pound shop and its still running fine

[petercoulson]

12 hours ago, Flash said:

Run out of Bambi Compressor oil, what would happening if I was to use 20/50 motor oil instead?

20/50 is designed for piston engines in cars chances are high you will damage the Bambi, you should consider how much it will cost (£500-£600) to replace the Bambi versus the (around £35 per litre) cost of proper oil designed for it. 

[Flash]

Thanks for the info. I don't understand what the difference is in the different oils, some thin some thick, a bit like us really.

[keithm]

Viscosity!

 

[St.Am92]

surely your local machine mart has compressor oil,https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/compressor-oil-sae-30/

[petercoulson]

6 minutes ago, St.Am92 said:

surely your local machine mart has compressor oil,https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/compressor-oil-sae-30/

But that's not for the quiet compressors like Bambi - it's for piston ones and relatively much thicker 

[grahamparker]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122325862847?hash=item1c7b3089bf:g:wuYAAOSw~K9dwU5Z

[keithm]

There is always the Bambi oil free version  Our version is only slightly noisier than the 'silent' ones and no more expensive!

[grahamparker]

It's funny how they can claim "Silent" when they are most definitely NOT.

0 Db is silent.

[keithm]

But they are very very quiet Graham by anyone's standards, providing they have oil in them!!!! Ha ha

[Gray]

My Bambi packed in years ago. Just use an oil less compressor in the cellar now for the sand blaster with a feed up to the workshop for the press and stapler.

 

[Gray]

On 10/2/2021 at 9:42 PM, Flash said:

Run out of Bambi Compressor oil, what would happening if I was to use 20/50 motor oil instead?

Don't see why you wouldn't be OK with 0W 20W oil.   https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/mobil-super-3000-formula-vc-engine-oil-0w-20-1ltr-521779262?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7-_Gp5e28wIVydPtCh35Tg8lEAQYASABEgKOevD_BwE A third of the price of Bambi oil. Fully synthetic and about the right viscosity.

[Flash]

It's not about the cost or availability, more about the curiosity. Motor oil is designed to run piston engines that run very fast very hot, Bambi compressors have a piston don't they? they don't run anywhere near as fast or hot as a car yet the motor oil may do damage!!!!!!!!  I don't understand how or why it should.

[petercoulson]

7 minutes ago, Flash said:

It's not about the cost or availability, more about the curiosity. Motor oil is designed to run piston engines that run very fast very hot, Bambi compressors have a piston don't they? they don't run anywhere near as fast or hot as a car yet the motor oil may do damage!!!!!!!!  I don't understand how or why it should.

It's less to do with the piston more the cam and con rod, these are what seize in quiet compressors and thicker oil won't get to temperature to thin itself enough to lubricate these comparatively miniature items. 

[Flash]

1 minute ago, petercoulson said:

It's less to do with the piston more the cam and con rod, these are what seize in quiet compressors and thicker oil won't get to temperature to thin itself enough to lubricate these comparatively miniature items. 

Many thanks for that, I understand a bit more now.

[Gray]

Motor oils have a thicker viscosity. That's why I suggested what i did. A 0W  20W should be fine

 

 

[Bren]

havent had to put oil in mine ever.

[Flash]

6 hours ago, Bren said:

havent had to put oil in mine ever.

I have 2 bambi compressors, 1 hasn't been topped up in years, it's about 30 yrs old. the newer 1, about 2 yrs old, needs topping up every 2 weeks. I don't understand where the oil goes.