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Synthetic Oil in B&G S-100

Nick W
Nick W Member Posts: 200
Would anyone care to opine about the use of Mobil 1 synthetic 5W-30 in a B&G S-100? The label indicates 10W-30 is OK, but I have always used 20 weight "Electric Motor Oil" purchased many years ago.

Comments

  • Non detergent oil

    B&G's recommendations are a little confusing because on one hand they say to use a straight 20 grade non detergent oil but then also say 10W-30 is ok too. I have never seen a non-detergent 10W-30, as it is specfically designed for gasoline engines. The way I understand it, non detergent is recommended because in pump service the main loss of oil is by evaporation. As the mineral oil portion evaporates, the additives and detergents become more and more concentrated until whats left has very little lubricating properties. This type of concentration doesnt happen in a gasoline engine since you continually drain and change the oil.

    I would stick to the straight 20 grade electric motor oil, which is what B&G supplies with its new pumps. I have found that the Mobil I products have very low viscosity and have a tendency to "creep", eventually leaving the bearing dry. The oil usually winds up on the outside, leaving an oily mess.
  • bob young
    bob young Member Posts: 2,177


    how about 3-in-1 oil
  • Sheesh

    I don`t know for sure.
    Most I know just use what happens to be lying around.
    I`m sure Bob would know better.(no offense Bob, you really do.)

    Dave
  • World Plumber
    World Plumber Member Posts: 389
    3 in one

    The motor and pump rebuild shop says never use 3 in one. They recommend 20W non-detergent oil.
    Mark
  • scrook_3
    scrook_3 Member Posts: 64
    motor oil

    3 in one small motor oil, not the regular (lighter weight) 3 in one stuff, but 20W-20, non detergent motor oil (or plain air compressor oil) from any auto parts store is best and cheapest too.
  • tim smith
    tim smith Member Posts: 2,807
    We use unocal turbine oil, have for 30+ yrs. We buy

    Zoom oiler bottles for the trucks and leave on site as needed. Tim (I first thought it was parafin base the checked the Zoomoiler website) Good product
  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    Why?

    Nick, why are you still messing with that old pump? Why not upgrade to a water lubricated circulator and be done with it?

    Are you trying to set new records for the worlds oldest operational B&G series 100 pump connected to the worlds oldest Hydrotherm boiler? :-)

    Oh, I forgot, you're retired. You HAVE time to waste ;-)

    Me too...

    ME

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • scrook_2
    scrook_2 Member Posts: 610
    Zoom Oiler

    That's an ISO VG 32 oil (roughly between SAE 20 & 10W), a good quality non-detergent oil.

    http://www.conocophillipslubricants.com/documents/conoco/industrial_oils/FOB Turbine Oil TDS Web.pdf

    http://www.zoomspoutoiler.com/

    Any ISO VG 32, 46 or 68 mineral (vs. synthetic) turbine, R&O, or circulating oil would be fine, also SAE 20 mineral (not synthetic) air compressor oil or service class SA/SB engine oil but the zoom oilers sure are hard to beat.

    See: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/visc.html for ISO machine oil viscosity grades to SAE engine & SAE gear oil grades.
This discussion has been closed.