Heater Siphon Loop Startup

[demilio56]

I have a Laars lite 2 heater. It’s old but works great. This is my third season owning the pool and the second starting it up myself. The manual for my heater says to put about 5 cc of sae 50 non detergent oil in the siphon loop. I can’t seem to find sae 50 non detergent oil. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Or, is there something else I can use? I’m not sure if the weight or non detergent is more important if I need to compromise. I did find sae 30 non detergent at the auto parts store.

Last year, I had the same problem so just started it up without and had no issues. I don’t want to do that again. I try to stay by the book as much as possible.

I’ve attached the cover and page in question from the manual.

 

[mknauss]

I have no experience with this type heater but lets give your post a bump to see if some one can help out.

Take care.

 

[ajw22]

SAE 50 oil is about 50% thicker then SAE 30 oil. If you can't find SAE 50 non-detergent oil then I would give SAE 30 non-detergent oil a try.

It looks like LARS is using the oil as a hydraulic fluid to keep water from directly contacting the pressure switch. The water presses on the oil which presses on the switch. SAE 30 should work okay and better then no oil at all.

You don't want detergent oil because those additives can gum up the line.