Best substitute for bar and chain oil

[USMC615]

The only thing I would not use is WMO. Waste Motor Oil.....it not only has contaminates in it but some of those contaminants are metal filings from engine wear. As far as ATF, it's a little thin and not tacky. Not bad in the winter time though. What I do like about ATF is it is high in the detergents percentage. I sometimes run a little ATF with regular bar oil in the dead of winter.

Never thought about this but now that you've hit on the mixing a little ATF subject...would it make any sense to do a little ATF shot with b&c oil all year round? Maybe not every re-up of b&c oil by no means, but on occasion...

 

[wesamswailem]

The only thing I would not use is WMO. Waste Motor Oil.....it not only has contaminates in it but some of those contaminants are metal filings from engine wear. As far as ATF, it's a little thin and not tacky. Not bad in the winter time though. What I do like about ATF is it is high in the detergents percentage. I sometimes run a little ATF with regular bar oil in the dead of winter.

Can you pls explain what does the detergent in transmission oil mean , as the detergent I know is for house cleaning


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[Sagebrush33]

Never thought about this but now that you've hit on the mixing a little ATF subject...would it make any sense to do a little ATF shot with b&c oil all year round? Maybe not every re-up of b&c oil by no means, but on occasion...

Can you pls explain what does the detergent in transmission oil mean , as the detergent I know is for house cleaning


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I'm sure adding a bit in the summer time to wouldn't hurt. Too much would probably cut down on the tackiness. Which I believe the tacky or sticky value to be of importance.

In my first trade I turned wrenches for a few years. The guy I worked for explained to me that ATF is full of detergents, or solvents.
If you tear apart an auto transmission, they are repetitively clean inside. An internal combustion engine...not so much.

 

[USMC615]

I'm sure adding a bit in the summer time to wouldn't hurt. Too much would probably cut down on the tackiness. Which I believe the tacky or sticky value to be of importance.

In my first trade I turned wrenches for a few years. The guy I worked for explained to me that ATF is full of detergents, or solvents.
If you tear apart an auto transmission, they are repetitively clean inside. An internal combustion engine...not so much.

Absolutely agree on not wanting to thin down the tackiness (tackifiers) in the b&c oil. I was thinking of the 'cleaning ability' more than anything else for the oiler pump, etc throughout the year, whether hot or cold season. I kinda got ahead of myself and left that out...lol.

 

[Bull Mountains]

In a pinch I've used 2 cycle oil, hydro fluid, motor oil,etc
With that said all of them are more expensive than bar oil so I just use bar oil. Typically not the fancy stuff either. Walmart Supertech has always worked well for me.

 

[Bull Mountains]

I also should mention that years ago over on the other site there was a guy named Walt Galer that worked for Windsor Chain. He claimed that hydro fluid gave the longest bar and chain life.

 

[Philbert]

"Detergent oils have enhanced additive packages blending in them to prevent rust, break down engine sludge and stabilize acids to prolong oil life. "

Philbert

 

[miller755]

I never understand these the responses in these threads.
Obviously the OP's situation is unique, and perhaps there is no bar oil available, but generally bar oil is cheaper than any of the alternatives that people are listing, unless you are buying Stihl bar oil. I really never understand these threads, can someone explain why they use an oil that is designed for something else and costs more?

 

[Sagebrush33]

I never understand these the responses in these threads.

These responses are in regards to the OPs question, with a little derailment.
I mix a half qt to a regular gal during winter. Helps thin down the cold molasses like consistency.

 

[Wilhelm]

I'd love to be able to travel. My brother lived in Hong Kong for a decade or so.....and has been all over the world. Me.....I'm sorta pinned down with the cattle.

Rent Your cattle out for a month and go get that meal!

 

[jakethesnake]

I never understand these the responses in these threads.
Obviously the OP's situation is unique, and perhaps there is no bar oil available, but generally bar oil is cheaper than any of the alternatives that people are listing, unless you are buying Stihl bar oil. I really never understand these threads, can someone explain why they use an oil that is designed for something else and costs more?

303 hydraulic oil is cheaper. I have it on hand at any given time. Works very well

Tractor supply has sales on it. I also have a drum of it around. Occasionally I refill my j209 barrel with the buckets from tractor supply

 

[jakethesnake]

They have friction modifiers in them to promote grip for the clutches to help them not slip.

Does that hurt things?

 

[Mastermind]

I was coming with my wife and daughter to visit Florida before the COVID [emoji2363][emoji2363]
Had the visa and so but it expired now I guess


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There are many places in the US I would visit before I'd travel to Florida.

 

[Egg Shooter]

Does that hurt things?

Friction modifiers are in motor oils, gear oils ect. but they are different per application. Automatic transmission fluid has modifiers to eliminate shudder during shifts, ie, smoother shifts, but also to help the the clutches not slip when engaged. That with its very low viscosity makes it a poor choice, in my opinion, as a substitute for bar oil if bar oil isn't available. In reality it is probably more it's low viscosity and lack of tackyness that would be an issue over the additives that modify its frictional characteristics.

Ive not tried ATF as a bar oil myself but I've ruined a brand new 2 stroke engine on 50:1 ATF mix at the request of some fellas in the oil thread. Took 5 minutes to sieze it up. The bearings inside looked like powdered rust was on them. 30 wt non detergent motor oil I also ran, without issue, outside of carbon deposits in the engine. That was completed in my oil PM.

Back in the day I switched from Stihl bar oil to synthetic gear oil because the bar oil wouldn't pump in the cold. I was new to saws and didn't know there was a winter oil. It was recommended to me by a guy that was a fire wood cutter for years, and a diesel mechanic, not that it matters, to use the syn gear lube and that problem would be over. It's all he used year around. I switched, it worked and the saw seemed zippier. Cost wasn't an issue as I don't use a lot anyway. I switched to a semi synthetic bar oil quite a few years ago now. Year around formula. I'm not a fan of having summer / winter oils for anything.

 

[Ronie]

Hi [emoji1310]

Am wondering do you use any alternative for the original bar oil !! Like the vegetable oil for an example


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You may be able to order you some here.

 

[Philbert]

I really never understand these threads, can someone explain why they use an oil that is designed for something else and costs more?

Some guys have access to a cheap supply of something else. They may work in a shop that services equipment; or they my have gallons of hydraulic fluid that they change out of a tractor and have to dispose of (or pay to dispose of); or their brother-in-law knows a guy . . . . So they are looking for alternatives. Not always a case of going to NAPA and opening their wallet.

Philbert

 

[Yukon Stihl]

They have friction modifiers in them to promote grip for the clutches to help them not slip.

Yes for the clutches,the modifiers don't effect it's lubricating ability on metal or brass.

 

[wesamswailem]

There are many places in the US I would visit before I'd travel to Florida.

My daughter seeks Disney and some shopping for crafts supply , l guess she prepared a to do list [emoji85] . Pls recommend places


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[Yukon Stihl]

The only thing I would not use is WMO. Waste Motor Oil.....it not only has contaminates in it but some of those contaminants are metal filings from engine wear. As far as ATF, it's a little thin and not tacky. Not bad in the winter time though. What I do like about ATF is it is high in the detergents percentage. I sometimes run a little ATF with regular bar oil in the dead of winter.

I use ATF in the chaincase of my sleds,and my splitter because its so fluid at cold temps.

 

[Bull Mountains]

My understanding of friction modifiers is that they are used to smooth shifting. IE they allow the clutches to slip a little before engaging. Never heard of a friction modifier that increased friction.