What lubricants are you guys using on the air side of the westinghouse pump? What results have you experienced?

At Tweetsie we use dry #2 graphite. We just hold a can of it under the intake and let the pump draw it in. The graphite in return lubricates our controls and other hardware. We will give it a good dose when we start the pump and through out the day as needed. We go through almost one gallon a season.

At SVRy we have been using Chevron Syntholube in the WABCO supplied air side lubricators. I am told that non synthetic oils can cause carbon build up in the valve ports evenutally reducing the output of the air pump. So far so good with the Syntholube.

How is the synthetic lube on the rubber parts in the brake portions? I have experianced faster than normal deterioration of rubber from Anderol synthetic air oil.

Estrolene. It likes the old cast iron bulletproof stuff just fine, but if your lines and valves are cruddy, it will loosen it which could cause temporary problems. I know some guys that swear by ATF. dave

I have had pretty good results with Texaco R&O N100. R&O stands for rust and oxidation (not encouraging their formation, but the prevention of) and I understand the "N" stands for a Naptha based oil. The air pumps I have used it in seemed to like it, very little if any carbon build-up. I have used it in air cups and with a mechanical lubricator. In addition to using a good oil, one of the best things you can do to make your air pump last is to use a good air filter. WIX makes a good one for trucks that fits in the standard housing, you just have to enlarge the hole with a hammer and a large drift punch. It is a: WIX 42115, your local auto parts store can probably get it.

Guilty as charged! I do swear by Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and have found that the lubricating qualities it provides are equal to that of Estrolene but at a MUCH reduced price. I actually came by the idea of using ATF during a discussion of "proper" brake system lubricants with the president of TABCO(Touchton Air Brake Company). He stated that ATF is about 99% identical to Wabco brand valve lubricating oil. Also, unlike some other oils ATF is compatable with the type rubber used in brake system gaskets. The other and most important benefit to either Estrolene or Synthetic ATF is the greatly reduced wear and lower operating temperature encountered on the air end. However, as with Estrolene one should be prepared for some of the carbon in the brake system to work it's way through, thus causing the valves to become a bit gummed up. To prevent the problems encountered with carbon, sludge and varnish breaking loose and working through the system I would recommend isolating each pipe in the brake system and circulating an acid solution through said pipes to remove all previous deposits. This should include the main res. as well. Once this is done and you switch to either Estrolene or a Synthetic ATF, since they are both of a synthetic nature, you should not experience any further build up or deposits in the brake system.