can you run a chainsaw without bar oil

Running a chainsaw without bar oil will cause mechanical problems, and some serious safety issues, such as:

Full Answer

What happens if you run 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.

What can you use if you don't have bar oil?

Keep in mind that there are several types of vegetable oil (including canola oil, which we cover below). Soybean oil and olive oil – both fine substitutes for bar oil – are thick and perform better in warm conditions. Sunflower oil is thinner than chainsaw bar oil itself, so we recommend using it solely in winter.

Can I use wd40 as chainsaw oil?

Naturally, the chain of your chainsaw will need to be oiled well to function perfectly. To make sure that it functions well, grab some WD-40 Multi-Use-Product. WD-40 works great for both – rust prevention and lubrication.

Can I use motor oil for bar and chain oil?

While motor oil is not the best substitute for chainsaw bar oil, it will work as a temporary measure if find you have no other option. The downside of motor oil is that it's not sticky enough to stay on the bar and chain. So, when you're using the chainsaw, the motor oil will fling off as you cut and make quite a mess.

Can I use 10W30 instead of bar oil?

Can I Use 10W30 Oil for Chainsaw Bar Oil? Yes, 10W30 oil can be used for the bar oil but not an ideal option. As a substitution, you may use it. 10W30 oil has multi-weight which makes it good for use in summer as well as in winter.

Can I use olive oil for chain saw?

Any oil will work, even olive oil, except for that flinging at the top sprocket. there is an additive in chainsaw oil that makes it "stringy" and help it hold onto the chain links.

What kind of oil is chainsaw bar oil?

Petroleum-based bar oil has been the standard for chainsaws. Lightweight oil is used in winter and heavier oil in summer. Manufacturers of chainsaws make bar and chain oils specially blended for their machines to extend their lifespan, but if they are not available, the owner's manual suggests alternatives.

Is bar oil the same as 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 you use 2 stroke oil as bar oil?

No, it is not. 2-cycle oil is a gasoline additive that provives lubrication to the internal engine parts since the engine has no oil internally. Bar and chain oil is a much heavier viscosity intended for lubrication of the bar and chain specifically.

What do you use to lubricate a chainsaw chain?

The first is engine oil. The chainsaw shown here has a two-stroke engine, so it needs two-stroke engine oil mixed with the fuel to help cool and lubricate the moving parts inside the motor. The second type of oil, called bar and chain oil, is for lubricating the chain as it cuts.

Can you use WD-40 as a chain degreaser?

All you need to do is rinse the bike chain to remove any mud and thick dirt. Spray the WD-40 Bike Degreaser onto the surface of your bike chain and give it adequate time to work. On top of that, the WD-40 Bike Degreaser can be used for the cleaning and degreasing of other moving parts as well.

What happens if you don't apply bar oil to a chainsaw?

If you fail to apply bar oil to your chainsaw, you are increasing the friction and heat that your chainsaw experiences. Consistently failing to apply bar oil to your chainsaw means your saw will experience a lot of bar and chain wear that could simply be avoided by using bar oil.

Why do you need bar oil on a chainsaw?

One reason you should always use bar oil with your chainsaw is to help you avoid experiencing a broken chain. You are much more likely to break your chainsaw’s chain if you do not apply bar oil to your chainsaw. Breaking your chain on your chainsaw is no laughing matter; it’s a serious safety issue .

What does it mean when a chainsaw kicks back?

If you aren’t sure what’s meant by chainsaw kickback, we’ll break it down for you. Kickback on a chainsaw happens when the tip of the saw touches timber, and the chainsaw is running at full throttle. When that happens, the chainsaw can lurch upward rapidly, and move backward toward the individual using the chainsaw. So, instead of cutting something, the chain’s friction causes the saw to kickback towards the user, which creates a dramatic safety concern.

How to reduce friction on chain?

By applying bar oil, you can decrease the friction on the chain and also bring down the heat of the chain.

How to tell if chain is worn out?

One way you can tell if your chain is worn out and stretched is figuring out if you continually need to adjust your chain’s tension. If you are, then you need to purchase a new chain.

Does a dry chainsaw chain increase kickback?

Unfortunately, a dry chainsaw chain will dramatically increase your saw’s kickback potential. That’s because lacking lubrication on the chain increases the friction, and that only increases the rate of kickback on the chainsaw. If you do experience kickback with your chainsaw, you can use the chain brake, which is built into your saw’s handle. That chain brake helps to lock the chain once you experience kickback.

Is it safe to use bar oil on a chainsaw?

But a chainsaw can also be dangerous tools to use. So, that’s why you always want to use your chainsaw correctly, and that includes using bar oil. If you fail to use bar oil on your chainsaw, you’ll experience more substantial kickback when you utilize your chainsaw. That only increases your potential for an accident, which means you’ll risk your safety.

What can I Use instead of Chainsaw Bar Oil?

You can use various oils in place of bar oil, such as vegetable oil, WD-40, or motor oil. However, it is important to note that these are not lubricants and will not keep your chainsaw running smoothly. You should use them sparingly, if at all, as they may cause damage over time.

How much oil should I use for a chainsaw?

If you use a newer solid-type saw chain, add one or two drops of bar oil to keep the moving parts lubricated which will help extend the life of these parts, such as bearings and bushings. I would say that motor oil does provide enough lubrication, but it possesses a higher viscosity which is not ideal for use in a chainsaw. Thicker oils tend to create viscous friction, which causes unnecessary heating up of the chain.

Why is chainsaw maintenance important?

A chainsaw requires timely maintenance to make sure its performance stays up to the mark. Poorly maintained chainsaws can encounter numerous issues during operation. Some of them can lead to costly...

What is the purpose of bar oil?

The primary function of the bar oil is to lubricate the saw chain when it is in use. Without lubrication, your chainsaw can quickly wear down and start malfunctioning. Bar oil also helps cool the saw chain as it’s running, which keeps it from overheating and burning up.

Why does my chainsaw kick back?

Kicking back occurs when a blade gets stuck in one place and kicks up from the material it was cutting. This can cause serious injury if you’re working with your chainsaw at the time.

Can you use engine oil on a chainsaw?

I do not recommend using engine oil as saw chain lube. Engine oils are designed to lubricate the bearings and piston rings which have much higher pressures than a chainsaw bar and chain system. They are not designed to handle the higher pressures and resistance of a bar/chain system.

Is chainsaw bar oil the same as gear oil?

No, as stated previously, chainsaw bar oil is not the same as gear oil. Motor oils are meant for engines, and gear oils are typically used for gears in transmissions or axles of commercial vehicles like semi-trucks. They cannot be used interchangeably.

What happens if you Run a Chainsaw without Oil?

Running a chainsaw without any oil (be it bar oil or engine oil) is detrimental to its life in the long run. The absence of lubricant overheats the machine components and contributes to a significantly accelerated wear and tear rate. It will result in the chainsaw stop working after a time.

Do all Chainsaws need Oil?

All gas chainsaws need two types of oils. One to lubricate their engine’s components and the other for greasing the guide bar and chain. Electric chainsaws use an electric motor instead of a gas engine and only require bar and chain oil.

Do Electric chainsaws need oil?

Electric chainsaws only need bar or chain oil to function efficiently. The power source in these devices is the electric motor, which rarely needs an additional lubricant. Any lubrication for the electric motor is added during manufacturing and can not be replaced.