Chain saw bar and chain oil isn’t rated by SAE like traditional automobile motor oil. 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. Vegetable oil is also a quite affordable bar and chain oil alternative.
In this post, we’ll explain chainsaw oil mix ratios, offer a solution to mixing multiple fuel cans and take a look at what we think is the best 2-stroke oil for your chainsaw. Two-stroke engines derive lubrication from the oil mixed directly into the gasoline, unlike your car engine, which lubricates itself with oil housed in an oil sump and circulated by an oil pump. Some equipment manufacturers recommend different chainsaw oil mix ratios.
Back in the 70’s we used whatever cheap oil that was on sale for bar oil, always bought quart bottles. Many times grabbed a quart bottle of 2 stroke oil and used it by mistake. Never noticed untill we needed to mix some gas and the 2 stroke oil was gone.
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.
chainsaw oil vs 2 stroke Related Question:
Can I use 2 stroke oil as chainsaw oil?
Don’t Use Your 2-Stroke Oil In Reservoir So far we’ve covered a couple of different types of chainsaw oil. You have the kind you’ll put in your oil reservoir to lubricate the bar and chain, but you’ve also got the 2-stroke oil you’ll need to mix with gas in 2-stroke engines.
Can you use any oil for chainsaw bar oil?
If you have the choice, use SAE30 motor oil when it’s hot outside and SAE10 motor oil when it’s cold because the variations in oil viscosity are better for certain temperatures. Hydraulic oil is similar to motor oil and you can use it as a chainsaw bar oil substitute when you have nothing else available.
Is chainsaw 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.
Does a chainsaw need engine 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.
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.
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 is bar oil equivalent to?
Canola oil It is thinner than regular vegetable oil, meaning it will tend to fly off the chainsaw more quickly – but it has a more suitable viscosity at lower temperatures so makes a good substitute for chainsaw oil when it is too cold to use vegetable oil.
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.
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.
Can I use cooking oil for chainsaw?
Effective – Vegetable oils have natural properties including good lubricity, resistance to shear, a high flash point, and a high viscosity index. These qualities lend themselves to chain lubricant requirements similar to petroleum-based chain oils, and do not contribute to chain or bar wear over time.
What viscosity is bar and chain oil?
What viscosity is chainsaw bar oil? The viscosity of chainsaw bar oil can vary depending on the formula but 30W is standard. In cold weather, a thin 10W chainsaw oil may be advantageous, while very hot temperatures may require a much thicker 40W or 50W formula.
How much chain oil should a chainsaw use?
When to Oil Gas chainsaws use about one tank of bar and chain oil for every tank of fuel, so fill the reservoir every time you fill the tank.
Can I use 5w30 for chainsaw bar?
Can I Use 5w30 for a Chainsaw Bar? Like 10w30 motor oil, you can use 5w30 oil. However, the thin and low-viscosity SAE5 weight oil will not cling to the chain and chainsaw bar very well in the summer. You may experience a lot of oil loss and a messy worksite if you choose this chainsaw bar oil alternative.
Can you use transmission fluid for chainsaw bar oil?
On occasion I’ve used tranny fluid to clean out old oil residue in old chainsaws . It works well . In addition to that tranny fluid seems to pump better on some saws with whimpy oilers in cold weather .
What kind of oil is chainsaw oil?
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.