Is my compressor fu**ed?

cb1rocket · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jan 2010 Karma :

Recently bought a new compressor from lidl with all the accessories.

However my compressor appears to be leaking oil out into the tank and into the hose. I'm sure thats not normal. The oil was a little low o the sight glass so I topped it up with 10w - 40. Meant to be 10w - 30 but does it matter?

Anyone else has the recently been on sale lidl compressors/experience with them?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

It shouldn't be doing that.

Take it back. They come with a warranty and it's a German company so when they say there is a warranty, they mean it.
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cb1rocket · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jan 2010 Karma :

thats what i thought, would be no good for spraying paint then! oil contaminated paint, no thanks.

Would it be because I'm using a higher grade oil? I did mix it in with the oil that it came with.

I put in 10w - 40 castrol fully synthetic oil. should i change this? I have 10w - 40 Castrol GTX, which is a semi. Or should i go and put bog standard mineral oil in it? The manual doesn't say what kind of oil quality I should be using thou, bit pants me thinks

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

cb1rocket · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jan 2010 Karma :

so have i wrecked my compressor, or should I just change the oil and put in the correct 10w-30?

lihp · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Karma :

I'd have thought the capacity of the lidl tanks would make spray painting a bit of a PITA, plus you also have the issue of water contamination on cheaper compressors too

The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

KDub · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Karma :

If it's anything like the compressor I bought from Lidl it will be shit anyway. They're only fit for blowing, and tyre inflation. Try using a decent air impact wrench on it and you'll quickly find its limitations. Also, the hoses and tools aren't made to standard sizes, they look like they are, but they're very slightly off which means any other brand of tool appears to be leaking.

To its credit it is still going, but I really wish I had saved the money and bought a bigger compressor in the first place.

Take it back.

cb1rocket · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jan 2010 Karma :

what's annoying is that this is the 2nd one that's been replaced!

The first one had a bad leak coming out of the sight glass! Box was soaked in oil and so was the compressor

binge · Emo Kiddy Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

Dont think I've checked the oil in my compressor since I got it about 5 years ago.
It's still going strong. Laughing

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Mind you. My Clarke ranger just gave up the ghost. And they're generally regarded as pretty bomb-proof.

Admittedly it seems to be a silly electrical fault but still, no compressed air for me until I fix it.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Snodvan · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Jul 2010 Karma :

Don't bother mucking around with changing the oil again - just take it back. Lidl will not bat an eyelid so long as you have the paperwork. The store will ship it back to the UK depot and my guess is the depot will just chuck it in a skip and will charge the manufacturer for the replacement. I can't see them paying to take it back to Germany and sending it to the supplier.

Snod
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04 (UK Reg) BMW F650cs, but really 02 first Reg in Holland

cb1rocket · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jan 2010 Karma :

seems my store had got a bad batch of these.

I'll try draining some of the oil out and see what happens, although its on the upper part of the sight glass despite the manual saying this is the max mark. But.....there is no markings on the sight glass so pretty pants really, might invest in something a little better. However when it was working it was good for what I needed it for.

At least I still have my store manager scribbled over receipt from the last one I took back Laughing

Tristan. · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2007 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

My current compressor has a sight glass, and the oil is still clean and plentiful.
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