For your chainsaw to function properly, chainsaw oil is crucial. You may make the perfect choice by selecting the proper sort of oil. Your gas-powered chainsaw’s engine needs motor oil to work at its best, much like the engine in your car depends on oil to keep it operating smoothly. Bar and chain oil are also necessary for chainsaws to keep the chain oiled.
Since different chainsaws require different oils, using the incorrect oil or not using enough oil might result in serious issues. Knowing your alternatives for chainsaw oil, understanding how to select the best one, and figuring out the ideal fuel/oil ratio may all assist to guarantee that your chainsaw operates efficiently every time.
The Importance of Chainsaw Oil
Oil keeps a gas-powered chainsaw engine’s parts moving smoothly. Without oil, the cylinder and piston of the engine would heat up dramatically, eventually leading to the destruction of the chainsaw engine. Learn about electric vs gas chainsaws in our guide!
Bad chainsaw engine oil is possible. When sealed, two-cycle oil has a shelf life of up to five years, and many producers put this information on the container. However, the oil has a two-year shelf life after it is opened.
Make a note of the date when you open a container so you can discard the oil if it is not utilized within two years. Oil can also degrade if it is exposed to moisture and extreme temperature changes.
What may occur if you use subpar chainsaw oil is as follows:
- Engine component deterioration, including fuel line, carburetor, and gasket.
- Slowing, overheating, or shutting off.
- Difficulties with operation and performance, such as power outages.
- Vapor lock and resuming issues.
Choosing Chainsaw Motor Oil
You might notice that some brands of chainsaw engine oil cost more than others when you are browsing. Despite the fact that all of this oil is essentially the same, it’s crucial to purchase a reliable product.
If you find engine oil that is significantly less priced than name-brand oil, it may be lower-quality option. If it’s an off-brand, you have no idea where it was created, and the seller might not stand behind their goods.
Knowing whether your engine is a two-cycle or four-cycle is important when selecting chainsaw engine oil.
Two-Cycle Engines
There is a certain ratio in which gas and oil must be combined for a two-cycle engine. Old chainsaws that were created before 2003 need a 32:1 ratio. Most chainsaws produced after 2002 need a 40:1 or 50:1 ratio. To see if the proper ratio is specified, look at the housing for the two-cycle engine. Otherwise, consult the owner’s handbook if you’re having trouble finding it there.
The incorrect gas-to-oil ratio can cause a variety of problems. Lack of oil in the gas mixture leaves the engine with insufficient lubrication. The engine will be harmed, and the chainsaw won’t operate properly.
A smoky exhaust, oil spilling from the muffler, and even a loss of power can all result from too much oil in the gas mixture. The chainsaw might shut off as a result of this. In an emergency, it is preferable to mix too much oil than not enough if you are unsure about the ideal gas-to-oil ratio. To simplify things and avoid the whole gas-to-oil ratio issue, you should buy a premixed fuel/oil product.
It’s critical to understand that not all 2-stroke oils can be used with chainsaws because some of these oils are incompatible with the chainsaw’s engine. As a result, it can harm the engine and you might pay dearly for a tiny error. Actually, it depends on the engine type. You must first determine whether the chainsaw engine is air-cooled or water-cooled. You can choose 2-stroke oil that is ideal for air-cooled engines since the majority of chainsaw engines are air-cooled.
Two-Cycle Engine Oil Online
I have picked out a couple of examples of two-cycle engine oil suitable for chainsaws and available online at Amazon.
- Each bottle has 2.6 oz of oil to be mixed with gas to make 1 gallon of oil/gas mix
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Increased Horsepower
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Four-Cycle Engines
You’ll transfer oil and gas into separate reservoirs for a four-cycle engine. In four-cycle engines, four-stroke oil is used. It has specialized base oils and additives that support the four-stroke engine’s phases (the intake, compression, power and exhaust stroke).
NOTE: When it comes to both two-cycle and four-cycle chainsaw engines, you should never use motor oil. Yes, you can substitute motor oil for lubrication needs, but doing so is not recommended and should only be done temporarily.
Chainsaw Bar and Chain Oil
You’ll also need to keep bar and chain oil on hand for your chainsaw in addition to chainsaw engine oil. This makes cutting easier, keeps the chain lubricated, and prevents your chainsaw from wearing out too rapidly.
Bar and Chain Oil Types
There are two varieties of chainsaw bar and chain oil: summer and winter. The viscosity of oils varies from season to season. Because winter oil is thinner, it can flow smoothly even in cold weather and after being stored for a while. Summer oil is heavier, thicker, and designed to function in hot environments. However, most modern bar and chain oils are “all-season”, making them suitable for year-round use.
Every time you use up a tank of fuel, you should add around one tank of bar and chain oil to your chainsaw. Filling the reservoir each time you fill the gasoline tank is the simplest way to keep your bar and chain oil in good condition. Many chainsaws have an oil reservoir for the bar and chain that has a level gauge so you can see how much oil is in the reservoir. You can learn more about the oiling process here.
Related: Bar and Chain Oil Substitute
Chainsaw Bar and Chain Oil Online
I have picked out a couple examples of all-season chainsaw chain and bar oil available online on Amazon.
- Questions, Text 563563 to chat directly with a Sun Joe expert
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Reduces bar, chain and sprocket wear for longer bar and chain life
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Chainsaw Bar and Chain Oil Substitutes
Here are a few alternatives you can try if you ever need to use your chainsaw but don’t have the necessary bar and chain oil on hand:
- Motor oil
- Hydraulic oil
- Vegetable oil
- Canola oil
Visit our chainsaw bar and chain oil substitute guide for more information!
For more oil-related posts:
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What oil can you use for a chainsaw?
In general, chainsaws may work with a variety of lubricants aside from specially designed chainsaw oil. As long as you follow the SAE ratings and use the right oil weight for the season, vegetable and canola oils as well as automotive motor oil perform nicely. It is advised you use only brand-new, unopened oils.
Can I use 10W30 for chainsaw bar oil?
Yes, 10W30 oil can be used as bar oil, however it’s not the best choice. You are able to use it an emergency replacement. Because 10W30 oil is multi-weight, it can be used both in winter and in the summer because it thickens when it warms and thins when it gets cold. Because the oil is not the best choice for the bar, there will undoubtedly be issues when using this substitute for anything other than a short period.
Is chainsaw oil same as regular oil?
Chainsaw oil is specifcally designed for use with chainsaws, whether that be two-stroke oil for the chainsaw engine or chainsaw chain and bar oil. Although regular oil may be possible to use as a substitute for chainsaw oil in an emergencies, they’re certainly not the exact same mixture.
Can I use wd40 for chainsaw oil?
Naturally, the chain of your chainsaw will need to be oiled well to function perfectly. WD-40 usually works great for both rust prevention and lubrication, but in the case of chainsaws it may be too thin to lubricate the chainsaw chain effectively. Almost any other substitute is a better option than WD-40.
