Are you among those that asked, can I use motor oil in vacuum pump? The simple answer is no. The oil for the motor is SAE 40, while the vacuum pump uses SAE 10 or SAE 20.
There was a day I used the leftover of my car oil for my vacuum pump, and the result was terrible for my vacuum pump. Since then, I don’t use my car oil for my vacuum pump.
Where to dispose old engine oil? Click here to read
I will like to share my experience with you below.
Can I Use Motor Oil In Vacuum Pump
The oil plays an essential role in the functioning of the vacuum pump. It helps to lubricate the components of the pump.
But Which type of oil is used for a vacuum pump?
The vacuum pump oil is suitable for lubricating vacuum pumps (rotary vane pumps, diffusion pumps, turbo pumps), where mineral oils are required, and for mist lubrication and crankcase.
The vacuum pump oil is a special oil for a specific purpose. And it is only recommended oil for the vacuum pump.
There are several manufacturers of vacuum pump oil, and you can use any of them as much as it is meant for a vacuum pump.
However, you must buy the right SAE oil for the pump.
When it comes to cars and trucks, oil is quite different from the vacuum pump. Motors use SAE 40, which is not the same as vacuum pump oil.
Using the wrong oil for the equipment will cause a lot of damage.
From my experience, when I used SAE 40, my vacuum pump began to malfunction until I drained the oil and refilled it with its special oil with the suitable SAE.
Check the owner’s manual to know which oil you should use for your vacuum pump.
You can also check on the manufacturer’s website to be sure of the type of oil meant for your pump.
Can You Run A Vacuum Pump Without Oil
For your vacuum pump to be operational, it needs oil. Without oil, the vacuum pump cannot be used.
The vacuum pump oil plays 3 crucial roles in the pump’s functionality. The functions are;
1. Lubrication: the primary function of the oil is to lubricate the pump components so that friction will not damage the pump.
2. It also attracts contaminants: The oil helps collect the dirt in the machine as it circulates.
3. The oil also helps to collect moisture in the pump so that moisture does not cause damage to the pump.
In addition, if the oil in the vacuum pump is insufficient, it is another problem not to talk about running it without oil.
Can You Add Oil To A Vacuum Pump While Running
I always advise you to shut down the vacuum pump before adding oil.
It is a bad practice to add oil while the pump is running. That is because the oil will splash, and it will be impossible to see the oil level from the sight glass.
There are two possibilities when you add oil while the pump is running and they are;
1. It is either you overfilled the oil
2. or you underfill the oil.
Both situations are not too good for your vacuum pump.
That is why switching off the pump before adding oil is best.
However, you can take the risk if the tendency to restart the vacuum pump is slim.
What Happens If Vacuum Pump Is Low On Oil
A low oil level is not healthy for the vacuum pump. It is as dangerous as no oil. The person is undoubtedly sick, just as if someone is low in blood level.
Similarly, a low oil level will affect the lubrication system of the pump and the sealing, which is also done by oil
Insufficient oil will increase the pump temperature, leading to excess heat.
The oil will not be sufficient to circulate the pump for adequate lubrication. When lubrication is lacking, you should expect friction you don’t want.
How Can You Tell If There Is Oil In The Vacuum Pump
The best way to know if there is oil in your vacuum pump is through the sight glass. When
the oil shows up at the sight glass; it indicates sufficient oil in your vacuum pump.
But when the oil is not visible at sight, glass is evidence that there is no oil or insufficient oil in the vacuum pump.
How Much Oil Should Be In A Vacuum Pump
You can’t just keep adding oil to the vacuum pump because too much oil will also cause a problem for the pump.
To know the oil level, you need to check the sight glass to see the oil level.
The oil must be seen in the sight glass; let it be in or above the middle.
However, it would help if you avoided overfilling the sight glass so that the oil will not be coming out of the outlet of the pump
How Do I Know If My Vacuum Pump Oil Is Bad
You need to have a maintenance schedule that will help you know when to drain the vacuum pump oil.
But sometimes, you may need to replace the oil before the allotted time.
The sight glass is very transparent, so it is easy to see the oil’s color.
When you notice the oil color has changed abnormally to a milky color, you should know that the oil is bad.
You need to pay attention to the sight glass because it will tell you what you need to know about the oil condition of your pump.
Too much moisture in the oil or dirt will change the oil color, and then you replace it.
The oil’s viscosity is another determinant if you have to change the oil.
What Color Should Vacuum Pump Oil Be
Mostly, the color is always clear, like vegetable oil.
From the sight glass, you can see an obvious oil. But as the pump works, the moisture and dirt make the oil darker.
And when the color is over black, you need to drain and replace it. The viscosity makes the vegetable oil different from the vacuum pump oil.
The vacuum pump oil should be clear from the sight glass, especially when you fill it.
How Often Should Vacuum Pump Oil Be Changed
The color of the oil can tell you when to change the oil. As discussed above, when you notice a complete change in the oil color, you should consider changing the oil.
However, the manufacturer recommends changing the vacuum pump oil after 100 hours of operation.
That means, even if the color of the oil is still good, but the oil has worked for 100 hours, you need to drain it.
Sometimes, by the hour, as mentioned earlier, if you notice a total change in the oil color from the sight glass, you should replace the oil without waiting for the 100 working hours of the pump.
Should The Oil In A Vacuum Pump Be Replace Before Every Use.
The answer is no. You don’t have to replace the oil before every use.
Instead, let the oil color and manufacturer 100 hours be your watchdog on when to replace the vacuum pump oil.
So you can use your pump for 100 hours of operation before replacing the oil.
Another factor that can make you replace the oil is if you are not satisfied with the color of the oil you see from the sight glass of the pump.
If you have been replacing the oil after every use, you have something different today.
Why Is It Necessary To Regularly Change The Oil In A Vacuum Pump
One thing you need to bear in mind is that the vacuum pump has no oil filter. Both moisture and dirt cluster in the oil, so the oil will quickly change color and become sludge as soon as the oil for sludge loses its viscosity and lubrication properties.
To avoid friction due to the inability of the oil to lubricate, regularly change the oil and use the correct oil.
Conclusion
I hope the article has helped you know what oil you need for your vacuum pump. You have also learned when to replace the oil of the vacuum pump.
Don’t forget why you need to replace the vacuum pump oil.
I likewise answer the question; what color should vacuum pump oil be? You know how to add oil to your vacuum pump, from what you have read in the article.
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