A chainsaw can be a handy tool to own. However, it needs the right type of oil to keep it from dysfunctioning.
One of the most important ways to keep chainsaw blades working smoothly is to oil them regularly. But, what happens when you go to oil the chain, only to realize that you’ve run out of bar oil?
Can you use motor oil for bar oil? Well, it depends. I am here to answer all your doubts regarding this.
Can You Use Motor Oil For Bar Oil
Unlike traditional automobile motor oils, chainsaw bar oils aren’t rated by SAE. Instead, you will observe that the manufacturer recommends summer and winter weights. So, to answer your question, you can use SAE 30 weight motor oil for a chainsaw during the summer.
In the winter, it is recommended to use SAE 10 weight motor oil instead. The difference lies in the fact that the summer oil is typically heavier than winter oil; hence, it is imperative to use the right kind to keep your chainsaw working smoothly.
But keep in mind that motor oil can be used instead of bar oil only as a temporary measure. It is best not to make it a practice to use motor oil, as it may eventually damage the machine.
Another disadvantage of using motor oil as bar oil is the lack of adequate stickiness to sit on the chains properly. What you may end up with is a messy splatter as you try to run the chainsaw after application.
Moreover, the machine will typically use a larger quantity of motor oil compared to standard bar oil, which means that you will have to refill it more often.
Can You Use Old Motor Oil For Bar Oil?
Well, considering the fact that motor oil is the cheapest alternative to bar oil, many people try to use it as a substitute when the latter is unavailable. If you own a vehicle, there are high chances that you have some old motor oil lying around.
Wondering if it is safe to use it for your chainsaw? I recommend running the oil through a filter before doing this to ensure the elimination of any debris that may clog your chainsaw oiler.
Other than that, keep in mind that old motor oil may become toxic after a while, so it is best to avoid using it.
Wrapping It Up
Bar oil is specifically designed to be heavy enough to stick to the bar and chain of a chainsaw. As such, you will find many substitutes for bar oil that you can use.Â
However, motor oil may work as an alternative as long as you don’t make it a habit. Every manufacturer will have their own set of recommendations for their machine, so ensure that you go through the owner’s manual before applying other types of oil.Â
With that, it’s a wrap! Until next time, goodbye.Â