Mike@Sunbritesupply
Member
Pump oil can be changed with regular oil, though it MUST be non-detergent oil. (Engines use detergent type oil.)It is not the best thing you can use though. The pump manufacturers use addatives specifically designed to condition and prolong the life of your pump. I have spoken with General Pump and they have actually changed their recommendations for the Emperor Pump specs to 15W-40 oil. The following is from one of their spec sheets as to their recommendations:
Use oil per the following chart:
CHART OF COMPATIBLE OILS SAE15W40
GENERAL PUMP SERIES 100
BP VISCO 2000
CASTROL CWX
MOBIL SUPER
SHELL HELIX SUPER
TOTAL QUARTZ 4000-5000
It was mentioned that when you go to your WalMart or wherever, that the truck or RV section is a better place to find these oils, than just the car section. Usually you will find these as gallons and not just quarts.
Another thing mentioned was that synthetic oils are not recommended. Since our pumps don't reach the temps that say a car engine reaches, 1) there is no reason for it as a temp protection, and 2) some have additives that can effect elestomers (like oils seals, etc) negatively, and 3) It's just costing more money than you need to spend.
Of course if regular non-detergent oil of any kind is all you have and you're low on oil, at least get some in the pump. No oil is much worse than wrong oil! LOL
So when changing oil I'll recommend that the best you can use is the oil from the manufacturer of the pump for the best protection, but you do have choices and the ability to use other brands. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps!
Use oil per the following chart:
CHART OF COMPATIBLE OILS SAE15W40
GENERAL PUMP SERIES 100
BP VISCO 2000
CASTROL CWX
MOBIL SUPER
SHELL HELIX SUPER
TOTAL QUARTZ 4000-5000
It was mentioned that when you go to your WalMart or wherever, that the truck or RV section is a better place to find these oils, than just the car section. Usually you will find these as gallons and not just quarts.
Another thing mentioned was that synthetic oils are not recommended. Since our pumps don't reach the temps that say a car engine reaches, 1) there is no reason for it as a temp protection, and 2) some have additives that can effect elestomers (like oils seals, etc) negatively, and 3) It's just costing more money than you need to spend.
Of course if regular non-detergent oil of any kind is all you have and you're low on oil, at least get some in the pump. No oil is much worse than wrong oil! LOL
So when changing oil I'll recommend that the best you can use is the oil from the manufacturer of the pump for the best protection, but you do have choices and the ability to use other brands. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps!
