Recently, I ran out of bar and chain oil for lubricating my chainsaw, and desperately turned to motor oil to get the job done.
I wondered “can I use motor oil in my chainsaw” and if it would be effective or not. After conducting some research of my own, I gathered the following information to help others who are in a similar predicament.
Without further ado, here is what I found!
Can I Use Motor Oil In My Chainsaw?
1. Alternative To Bar And Chain
Bar and chain oil can be expensive to purchase every time the chainsaw needs maintenance, so it makes sense that alternative lubricating oils be used. As long as the oil allows the chain to spin smoothly without getting hitched, it should serve as a suitable substitute.
One consideration to keep in mind is the oil should follow the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) rating of at least 30 weight motor oil for summer and an SAE 10 weight for winter. This will provide the chainsaw with ample lubrication despite the temperature conditions.
2. Method
Motor oil can be very contaminated if drawn from a vehicle; however, if removed from a pump, it should be fine to use as is. In case you are pulling the oil from a car, make sure it is filtered before applying. Small contaminants can cause malfunctions in the inner mechanics or break down the chain over time.
Filtering the motor oil is not a complicated process, and you can even use simple coffee filters for the purpose. Filter the required amount twice or thrice before applying it to the chain in the same way as you’d do with any bar and chain oil.
3. Drawbacks
Although many people avoid using motor oil as a substitute for bar and chain oil, it is not for safety reasons or potential malfunctions it can cause. Instead, it has to do with the longevity of the oil itself once on the chain.
Compared to bar and chain oil, motor oil is lighter and will wear off faster when spun at high speeds, meaning you may need it to reapply it more frequently.
Additionally, the motor oil can be flung off easily at these speeds since it does not stick to the chain as well as bar and chain oil. For these reasons, it is not widely used unless absolutely necessary. However, as a last resort, it can come in handy to finish up a job in a time crunch.
Final Words
With that, I will end my guide on whether motor oil can be used on a chainsaw. I hope you were able to find what you were looking for.
Knowing a few alternatives can definitely help you out when you’re in a pinch or low on cash for the proper bar and chain oil. Although messy, it beats having to cut through large trees and bushes with tools like axes.
That said, I wish you the best of luck, and until next time take care!