Thread Number: 6526
Royal Metal Vacuum Upright - oil? 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 72397   6/17/2009 at 06:23 (5,420 days old) by atrac (United States )        

I have a Royal Metal Vacuum Upright that I was polishing this evening and I noticed there is a small pipe that I am assuming is for putting oil in the motor. I looked at a parts list and noticed there is supposed to be a cover for that pipe but mine does not have it.

Should I put oil in it ? -- I never have. What kind? Should I just spritz some WD-40 in there? Is the lack of a cover for the pipe going to cause the oil to shoot back out?

Speaking of oil, I also have a Kirby Heritage II. Does that require oil of any kind too?

Thanks!

Post# 72398 , Reply# 1   6/17/2009 at 06:35 (5,420 days old) by vacuumfreeeke ()        

I'm no expert, but the little pipe is for oil. The older Royals had them like my 801. The new ones don't. I think the missing cap is more of a dust cover to prevent dirt from getting in... I doubt oil is going to come shooting out. Don't use WD-40! I used sewing machine oil (though three in one may work too, I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in). When I oiled mine, the motor actually ran smoother, faster, and quieter immediately!

Post# 72405 , Reply# 2   6/17/2009 at 08:39 (5,419 days old) by tristar ()        

Never use WD-40 on a bronze bearing. It'll ruin it.

Go to the hardware store and pick up a bottle of 3-in-1 MOTOR oil. It comes in a blue bottle and says "SAE20" on the label. It's specifically designed for bronze bearings in electric motors.

You can use normal 3-in-1 or sewing machine oil in a pinch, but it won't last very long. When the bearing gets hot, the oil will thin up too far and cause the shaft to rub the bronze ruining the bearing.

If you ever use automotive motor oil, it's all over.

Stick to the right stuff and the bronze bearing will outlast you, your kids, and their great, great grandkids.

Post# 72412 , Reply# 3   6/17/2009 at 12:42 (5,419 days old) by atrac (United States )        

Thanks for the advice! I was SO close to putting WD-40 in there. Glad I didn't! :)

Post# 73189 , Reply# 4   6/25/2009 at 21:00 (5,411 days old) by kenkart ()        
motor oil

If I were you I would go to an electric motor repair shop and get a bottle of electric motor oil,3 in 1 is o k,but has a tendency to gum with time, I worked in a sewing machine shop for several years and I know from experience what a gummy mess it can make

Post# 73193 , Reply# 5   6/25/2009 at 21:24 (5,411 days old) by tristar ()        

Read Above...

Normal 3-in-1 oil does gum. The MOTOR variety does not. It's explicitly designed for sleeve motor bearings.

Post# 73213 , Reply# 6   6/25/2009 at 22:46 (5,411 days old) by louvac (A)        

OK Guys.....here is the real deal on the Royal oil...

Use only SAE 30 NON-DETERGENT Oil--the same kind you would use for your lawn mower. Add only 2 drops...AND DO NOT TURN THE MACHINE ON FOR A FEW HOURS until the wick--yes there is a wick of sort inside the machine bearing that needs time to absorb the oil. If you don't wait, the oil just splashes around.....and can damage the armature if it gets on it.

The reason why sewing machine oil and 3-in 1 oils don't work
well (or, at all) is because they are thin, and contain detergents which are left behind once the oil burns off. This detergent then becomes (or is) sticky and thus attracts dirt.

WD-40 is great on many things. However, it is not a lubricant but rather a water evacuator. Do not use it.

Bill, if you need an oiler cap (they are red by the way) shoot me an email with your address and I will be glad to send you one.

What I am telling you guys above is directly from the mouth of a Royal guru who is a member of our club. So this not my opinion. Mike is an authorized Royal Dealer and repair specialist and really does know his stuff!




Post# 73215 , Reply# 7   6/25/2009 at 22:53 (5,411 days old) by tristar ()        
WRONG!!!

 WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!

Engine oil that you put in your lawnmower contains detergent. Read it on the bottle!

Normal 3-in-1 oil DOES contain mild detergents since it's really designed to be used as a penetrating oil.

The MOTOR variety of 3-in-1 is specifically designed for motor sleeve bearings. Read the can! It's important to get this information right. Detergent oils WILL destroy the bearing.

WD-40 belongs on frozen nuts and drill bits....not in a bearing.

Sewing machine oil or Zoom Spout-Oil belongs in a sewing machine. It's detergent-free, but it's entirely too thin to do the job that the the bearing needs.

SAE 30 oil (even if detergent free) is really too thick for a bronze bearing unless it's HEAVILY worn. If the bearing is in good shape, go for SAE 20. As I've said a zillion times in this forum, the 3-in-1 version of MOTOR SAE 20 oil is both detergent free, and inexpensive. It's available in just about any hardware store.

See threads 6551 in the vintage section or 6552 in the modern section for VERY detailed videos and explanations of why you use the lubes and methods outlined above.

Post# 73216 , Reply# 8   6/25/2009 at 22:58 (5,411 days old) by louvac (A)        

I said, SAE-30 NON DETERGENT OIL.....It's out there, I've used it and it works......and I have never had a problem....But...whatever works for you.......

Post# 73222 , Reply# 9   6/25/2009 at 23:17 (5,411 days old) by tristar ()        
In all fairness...

 You did say "the same kind you would use for your lawn mower".

An engine should always use a detergent oil to keep coke and sludge buildup from forming in bearings, oil gallery passageways, and valve covers.

So.....engine should always use detergent oil.......motor should always use NON-detergent oil.

Clear as mud? Yup!

Post# 73366 , Reply# 10   6/27/2009 at 00:55 (5,410 days old) by atrac (United States )        

Thanks again for all of the info! And extra kudos to Louvac! ;)

Post# 73380 , Reply# 11   6/27/2009 at 07:13 (5,409 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA)        

vinvac's profile picture
Louis is correct!

At the convention, Mike Rogers did one of the clinics and non-detergent SAE 30 oil is what he suggested you use. Louis is quoting word for word what Mike told us.

Most lawn mowers, if you read the manual, tell you to use SAE 30 Non-detergent oil. Unless of course you are using a good mower such as a Lawn-Boy...then you would use their brand of 2 cycle - ashless oil.

Morgan

Post# 73754 , Reply# 12   6/30/2009 at 09:44 (5,406 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
Arrrgh

 I didn't wait for the wick...

I have a 88 Royal
Have sae 20 3 in 1Motor oil...

I like my royal as it pushes itself

i think the Kirby does suck better but thisone just glides over the carpet like silk.

OOOOOH I would really love to find a cap to fit my royals oil spout...tried a few things from bottles & nada so far.

Hesco is out of them.

Post# 272324 , Reply# 13   3/17/2014 at 22:18 (3,685 days old) by kevin (Livonia)        

Ad found on eBay (couldn't enlarge--sorry):

Post# 451149 , Reply# 14   3/29/2022 at 10:29 (751 days old) by StephanB9 (airwayheights)        

stephanb9's profile picture
Sorry to revive a long dead post but I have information directly from the user manual that came with my Royal 993 and 880. According to the book it says to use sae 30 motor oil and not to use thin or sewing machine type oils.

  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size
Post# 452508 , Reply# 15   5/11/2022 at 19:59 (708 days old) by Paul (USA)        
Grease

What brand of grease works best for you in servicing surface cleaner motors?


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