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.”
Just like a car needs the right engine oil, and your lawnmower too, your chainsaw will benefit from using the correct engine oil too. Do not add car engine or lawn mower oil to your chainsaw fuel! The quality of petrol and oil used is quite important to the proper running and life of the engine. How to mix gas and oil for a chainsaw Before fueling the chainsaw, clean the fuel cap and the area around it to ensure that no dirt or wood chips fall into the fuel tank.
In a previous article we explored alternatives for commercial bar oil products for lubricating the chainsaw guide bar and chain. The biggest hazard with bar oil in the winter is crystallization: it turns the oil stiff or solid, jamming the oil pump and gluing your chain to the bar. Two-cycle engine oils – the kind you mix to your saw or outboard motor gas – are technically excellent oils and also work as chainsaw bar oil in many cases.
what oil for chainsaw engine Related Question:
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.
What oil Can you use in a 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 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.
Can I use 2 stroke oil as bar oil?
Can You Use 2 Cycle Oil As Bar Oil? You should only use two-cycle oil as the mix, never as a chainsaw bar oil alternative. Using two-cycle oil on the bar will not provide enough tackiness to stick to the chainsaw chain in the summer months. Two-cycle oil also will not work in the winter.
What is the difference between chainsaw oil and 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 I use vegetable oil in a 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 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 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.
What viscosity is chainsaw bar 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.
Do 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.
Can I use used motor oil for chainsaw bar oil?
If you find that you have no other option for chainsaw bar oil, motor oil can be used as a temporary measure. In addition to the fact that motor oil is not sticky enough to stay on the chain and bar, it also has a tendency to break. As a result, when you use a chainsaw, the motor oil will fly off as you cut.
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.
Can I use olive oil on chainsaw?
Other vegetable oils most commonly used in chainsaws: Olive oil – thicker than canola but not good at low temperatures. Sunflower oil – thinner than regular chain oil.
Can I use WD40 as chainsaw oil?
No. You should never use WD40 as chain lubricant since WD-40 is NOT a true lubricant. WD40 is primarily a solvent or rust dissolver.
How often should I oil my chainsaw?
It is recommended that you grease the bearing in the tip of the bar each time you refuel. Make sure to grease the tip at the end of the day as well to help prevent moisture from entering the bearing as the bar cools.