Chat with an old timer about compressor oil changed my mind

Guy at the supply house said he's been using the same PAG oil for 15 years on every job. Told me all this fancy stuff is just marketing. Made me realize I've been overthinking it. Any of you stick with one oil for everything?

2 comments

2 Comments

matthewh281mo ago

15 years is nothing. My uncle ran R12 systems on the same mineral oil for 25 years. Still blew cold. But PAG oils aren't all the same. Some have different additive packages for things like hybrid compressors or variable displacement units. That stuff matters if you want the system to last more than a couple years.

brookerobinson1mo ago

Nah man, modern PAG oils break down way faster than the old mineral stuff, especially with the pressures these new compressors run at. You might get 5-7 years before things start gumming up, no matter how good the additive package is lol.