Used motor oil can replace chainsaw bar oil in a pinch, but it is not recommended. Used motor oil contains debris and contaminants that can clog the oiling ports on your chainsaw, leading to poor lubrication and accelerated wear.
Using Motor Oil as Bar Oil: What You Need To Know
Most chainsaw owners know that bar oil is critical to keeping your chainsaw in working order. Bar oil works by lubricating the chain and keeping it running smoothly so that you can saw through whatever material you are cutting with minimal resistance.
This oil is specially formulated to work well with the chainsaw’s moving parts. Its thin consistency allows it to flow around the chain and keep all parts lubricated, while its high viscosity protects against wear and tear (source).
Although there are many alternatives to bar oil on the market, motor oil is often one of the most popular choices due to its low cost and availability.
Unlike chainsaw bar oil, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has a standard grading system for motor oils that determines the thickness of the oil and how well it performs in certain temperatures (source).
The rating system, called the SAE grade, rates motor oil from 0-60 in four categories:
- Cold
- Normal operating temperature
- High temperature
- High temperature/High load.
Higher numbers in the SAE rating system indicate a thicker oil, with 0 being the thinnest and 60 being the thickest. The thickness of the oil is essential because it can affect how well your chainsaw will run.
Thicker motor oils don’t stick to the chainsaw’s moving parts and could lead to overheating or increased wear and tear on the moving parts. On the other hand, oils that are too thin may not provide enough lubrication or protection (source).
Therefore, if you run out of chainsaw bar oil and need to use motor oil as a replacement, you will need to find the right SAE grade for your chainsaw to ensure that the oil will flow well and protect the moving parts from damage.
During summer, it is ideal to use motor oil with a higher SAE grade rating to ensure that the oil remains thin enough to flow around the chain. In the winter, it is generally advisable to use motor oil with a lower SAE grade, as colder temperatures can cause the lubricant to thicken and become less effective.
SAE 30 and 10-weight motor oils are the recommended summer and winter options. To determine the right SAE rating for your chainsaw, you can consult with your manufacturer or check the user manual to see if they have any recommendations on which oils are most often recommended for your model of chainsaw (source).
How Used Motor Oil Can Affect Your Chainsaw
While motor oil as a replacement for chainsaw bar oil is possible, the same cannot be said for used motor oil.
Unlike new motor oil that is carefully filtered to remove contaminants and leftover debris, used motor oil often contains all these pollutants and can do much more harm than good.
Used motor oil is often full of harmful contaminants, including dirt, metal shavings, and other debris that can affect the chainsaw’s moving parts, causing them to wear out more rapidly. Once this debris gets inside the chainsaw, it can cause severe damage to its internal components, and it will cost you a lot of money to repair.
Once used, motor oils become acidic over time, which can also cause corrosion and cause rust to develop inside your chainsaw. Not only does this leave you with an ineffective and broken tool, but it can also be dangerous to use.
However, if you can filter the used motor oil properly to get rid of these harmful contaminants, then it may be possible to use this as a replacement for chainsaw bar oil. If you can’t filter the used motor oil, it is best to avoid using it and find a safer alternative.
But if you are in a situation where you need to use used motor oil instead and can’t filter it properly, you use it sparingly and only if necessary. You should also be sure to thoroughly inspect your chainsaw after using it to ensure no signs of damage or corrosion, as this could indicate the chainsaw was affected by the used motor oil.
Safety Precautions for Using Motor Oil for Chainsaws
To use motor oil as a replacement for chainsaw bar oil, it is essential to follow some safety precautions to ensure that you and your chainsaw stay safe.
- Always wear protective safety gear before using your chainsaw, including eye protection, heavy gloves, and boots that offer adequate protection. Motor oil contains several harmful chemicals that can be dangerous if you come into contact with them.
- Always wear protective clothing and wash your hands thoroughly after handling motor oil.
- Avoid using motor oil if your chainsaw is already showing signs of wear and damage, as this could exacerbate the problem and cause severe damage to the chainsaw.
- Ensure you always use the proper SAE grade of motor oil for your chainsaw to ensure it flows well and protects the moving parts from damage.
- Motor oil causes spillage as it cannot withstand the high temperatures associated with chainsaw use. Clear out any mess created by the spillage to avoid slipping and injuring yourself (source).
You could run into trouble if you use your chainsaw with low bar oil. But do you know how often you should add bar oil to your chainsaw? Click on the link to learn more about the signs showing that the chainsaw needs bar oil.
Conclusion
Overall, using used motor oil as a replacement for chainsaw bar oil should be approached with caution and only done if you are sure the oil has been appropriately filtered to remove any harmful contaminants.
When appropriately used, motor oil can be effective as a replacement for chainsaw bar oil. However, bar oil is still the best choice in most situations. It is designed to provide optimal lubrication for chainsaws and is much safer than used motor oil.
