Sleeve Bearings + Lubrication

[jpnova70]

ok it seems there may be alot of opions on this subject. What is the best Lube for sleeve bearings on the market for such use as Trane Force Flow CUH`s.? (Emerson small fractional HP motors).:anyone:

[Paul Bee]

Most motor manufacturers suggest 20 weight non detergent oil. The turbine oil you get at the parts house is 10 weight oil with an additive to enhance high rpm performance (polymers). I have had good luck on all types of motors and fan drives with the zoom spout turbine oil. You can buy small containers of motor oil from Bell & Gossett. I would just use the turbine oil myself. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer, 20 drops once a year is what I usually see.

[jpnova70]

Thanks, I was watching another tech using wd-40. I asked him doesnt that put more stress on the bearings after a while. He said `this is what i`ve been using forever`.Hence I am now replacing alot of them. I did pick up a couple of zoom bottles .Just wanted to be sure.

John

[mrhvacmechanic]

As Paul said,
20W Non detergent. Zoom spout excellent product.

[fxb80]

Zoom spout turbine oil. Have added it to motors with seizing bearings and they worked for years afterwards.

[Paul Bee]

I worked with a Guy who was blind in one eye and missing two fingers from spraying WD 40 into a running motor. The can exploded. I use it to get my lawn mower started in the spring oh and it is good for screen door hinges. No motor manufacturer would approve of this. Too thin to be 20 weight.

[maintenanceguy]

Use 20W oil. 10W won't develope as high a hydrodynamic pressure. It's this pressure that keeps bearing surfaces from touching. Too low a viscosity oil will let bearing surfaces touch. Too high a viscosity oil won't be drawn into the narrow gap between bearing surfaces and will leave the bearing starved for oil.

The engineers that make these things choose the oil based on bearing load, rotation speed, and bearing gap width. The wrong oil won't do the job as well.