Heat from summer thins oil, and cold from winter makes it thick. To prevent this, chainsaw manufacturers make bar oils matched to the air temperature and the saw in which it is operated. Although they don’t disclose the weight of their oil, the University of Missouri Extension recommends in lieu of using a bar oil, select SAE 30 weight oil in summer and SAE 10 in winter.
Knowing the available chainsaw oil options, learning how to choose the right one and determining the right fuel/oil ratio can help ensure your chainsaw runs smoothly every time. Common Issues if Chainsaw Oil Is Bad. Chainsaw engine oil can go bad. Two-cycle oil is good for up to five years when sealed, and many manufacturers list the oil’s shelf life on the container. “One thing we do for our customers who buy a chainsaw that requires an oil/gas mix is we have them buy a gas can and we write the formula right on the can with a big black Sharpie. Then, the next time they need to make the mixture, they can dump in the right amount of oil and take the can to the gas station and pump in the right amount of gas.”
The reason a special type of chainsaw bar oil exists is that chainsaw chains and bars need a lubricant with certain qualities to keep those parts running smoothly. Motor oil will work to keep your chainsaw from burning up if you don’t have any standard bar oil on hand. Hydraulic oil is similar to motor oil and you can use it as a chainsaw bar oil substitute when you have nothing else available.
Unless you have a stockpile of gear oil available if your chainsaw oil runs out, it’s not a sound economic decision to buy gear oil as a backup. We recommend turning to canola oil as the best chainsaw bar oil substitute on our list. Chainsaw bar oil substitutes that derive from vegetables like canola oil are the best for your chainsaw.
Understanding your chainsaw oil will help you make the right decision when it comes to purchasing the right type of oil and making sure your chainsaw is properly maintained. We’re going to discuss everything you should know about chainsaw oil today, which should help you realize how important it is if you want to keep your chainsaw running properly for years. Chainsaw oil isn’t as cheap as oil you could make yourself at home, but you’ll have to ask yourself if it’s worth the short term gains.
what oil does my chainsaw need Related Question:
What oil should I use to lubricate my chainsaw?
Rapeseed-based (usually called canola) oil is currently the most common environmentally compatible chain-and-bar lubricant. Vegetable-based oils are triglycerides or natural esters that come from agricultural crops.
Can you use any oil for chainsaw bar oil?
Generally, chainsaws can handle a wide range of lubricants. Vegetable and canola oils work well, and automobile motor oil will too, as long as you observe the SAE ratings and use the appropriate oil weight for the season. Always use fresh, never used, oils.
Can you use regular motor oil in a chainsaw?
If your manufacturer’s bar and chain oil is unavailable, you can use SAE 30 weight motor oil to lube your chain during the summer and SAE 10 weight during the winter, according to the University of Missouri Extension.
Can I use 10w30 for chainsaw bar oil?
As a matter of fact, you can actually use regular 10w30 motor oil on a chainsaw as one of the alternatives in case you don’t have bar and chain oil. That’s because 10w30 oil has enough thickness and viscosity that will allow it to withstand the friction that is happening whenever you are using a chainsaw.
What happens if you run a chainsaw without bar oil?
Without lubricant, the speed at which the chain moves over the chainsaw bar can cause some serious friction. A slowed-down chain and excessive fuel burning mean there’s a lot of friction between your bar and chain, which means a lot of heat is being produced that could do major damage to your saw.
Do Electric chainsaws need bar oil?
Electric chain saws derive their power from an electric source, so they don’t need fuel to run. Most gas chain saws require a premixed gas-and-oil fuel to operate properly. Electric chain saws don’t require this added oil, but the bar and chain do need to be properly lubricated.
Can I use 2 stroke oil for chainsaw?
Modern two stroke chainsaws do not require generic brand oils to operate at temperatures and rpms that are comparable to those of generic brand oils. Our recommendation is to use only high quality two stroke oil designed for air cooled high performance engines when using your modern two-cycle engine.
Is SAE 30 same as 5w30?
Basically, SAE 30 and 5w30 have the same rating or viscosity of 30 while hot, but when cold their ratings differ. Because of this, they have slightly different uses: SAE 30 is the most common small engine oil, and 5w30 is used mostly in the automotive industry.
Is bar oil the same as motor oil?
Bar and chain oil is stickier than regular motor oil, so it stays on the chain longer. Motor oil flings off the chain more quickly, so if you try Terry’s tip, be prepared to refill the oil on your chain saw more quickly than with regular bar and chain oil.
Can you use 10w40 in a chainsaw?
You can but it’s not very good for the chain or the environment. The Husqvarna / Stihl stuff is much thicker and vegetable based so it doesn’t fling off the chain as easily or poison your garden! 10w30. Thicker.
Do all chainsaws need oil?
To run properly, all chainsaws need two types of oil for different jobs. The first is engine oil. The chainsaw shown here has a two-stroke engine, so it needs two-stroke engine oil mixed with the fuel to help cool and lubricate the moving parts inside the motor.
What is special about chainsaw oil?
Chainsaw bar oil has a certain level of “slickness” to it. This slickness keeps the chain spinning at a fast rate without getting slowed down by the friction that occurs when metal rubs against metal. So, if you want to use the “correct” type of bar oil in your chainsaw, consult the manual and use what it suggests.
Can I use TC W3 oil in my chainsaw?
You should be OK with full synthetic outboard oil but don’t run regular TC-W3 in a chainsaw. Your average chainsaw is turning more RPM at a higher temp than just about any outboard. Quick note: Always use FD approved 2 cycle oil in all your air cooled lawn machines.
Is 10W30 the same as SAE 30?
SAE 30 vs 10W30 – Are they the Same? The short answer to this is no, 10W-30 oil is not the same as SAE 30. The difference between 10W30 multi – grade and straight grade oil is that it has been formulated to provide a 10W viscosity at very low temperatures to aid in cold-cranking in heavy engines.
Can I use 5w30 instead of SAE 30?
Can I Use 5W-30 Instead Of SAE 30? Both oils have a “30” hot viscosity rating. This means SAE 5W-30 oil has the same flow rate as SAE 30 at operating temp. So, technically it’s fine to use SAE 5W-30 oil in place of SAE 30.