Can I use Winter bar oil in summer until reservoir is empty?

Haggis · April 08, 2015, 03:21:20 PM

Hello I am new to the forum so hello.

I just purchased my first saw and got a HUSKY 455 Rancher.

I was going to use over the course of a weekend in late February up here in Ontario Canada, so I filled the reservoir with Winter bar oil. However we never did get up to the cottage to do the cutting we needed to do and as such I now have winter bar oil in the saw. Can I use this in the summer until it is gone then fill with summer oil?

Any help on the matter would be appreciated.

Jeff · April 08, 2015, 04:12:16 PM

I'd say run it. The winter oil is designed to pour and pump better when it is cold. It's not going to lose its lubricating properties in the summer. It may pump a bit faster, but that would be it. If you are concerned about it, just check your oil level a couple times as you burn that first tank of gas. You can add your thicker summer oil as there is room.

thecfarm · April 08, 2015, 04:21:00 PM

Haggis,welcome to the forum. I doubt you would notice the diffeance.

Ianab · April 08, 2015, 05:11:39 PM

Oil is a little thinner and will flow easier, but it shouldn't cause any problems. Just make sure the lighter weight oil doesn't run out before you run out of gas?

Haggis · April 09, 2015, 07:24:36 AM

Thanks for the replies guys I appreciate the advise.

Fifelaker · April 09, 2015, 09:25:53 AM

If you are really concerned put a glug of STP in the oil tank, it will thicken the bar oil up some.

lumberjack48 · April 09, 2015, 09:37:37 AM

What ever the oil pump is set at, is how much oil it will pump thick or thin.

If i was really concerned about running it, i would dump it out.

Jeff · April 09, 2015, 09:59:29 AM

I know that isn't so for my saw and it is less than a year old stihl MS 362. I used regular bar oil in it this winter, and regular oil in it this spring. It uses more per tank of gas in the warmer weather than it did when it was cold out. It is not a big difference, but noticeable.

Philbert · April 09, 2015, 04:49:34 PM

Welcome to the Forum!

On one hand, you will be fine. Winter oil is supposed to be a bit thinner, but several times, I have had to thin it further (up to 50% kerosene) to get it to flow, so maybe not that much thinner(?). By the time you run a tank of fuel through your saw, you will need to re-fill your bar oil tank, so the left over winter weight oil will be heavily mixed with sumer weight oil, and not an issue.

If you are concerned, get a funnel and drain it back into the jug. I have started doing this with saws that I use infrequently, because several of them leak bar oil. Rather than just soaking it up (I place oil absorbent pads in the bottom of my saw cases), I figured that I might as well save and use it.

Winter will be back in a few months!

Philbert

Dave Shepard · April 09, 2015, 05:36:22 PM

I'd run it and not even think about it ever again.

If you are really worried, stop after burning half a tank of fuel and put the summer weight in to top it off, and you should have no trouble.

Corley5 · April 09, 2015, 05:44:48 PM

Run it. I've ran everything from 10wt to 80/90 and engine drain oil when in a pinch. 80/90 isn't pleasant ;) ;D. I run "summer" oil year round. As soon as that thick oil hits the hot saw it thins out. Winter oil just pours into the saw better ;) ;D

Haggis · April 10, 2015, 09:13:58 AM

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate the advise.

sawyerf250 · April 10, 2015, 12:22:51 PM

Yes go ahead and run it through, it really makes no difference at all? l know some guys that run it all year around? They say being thinner that it gets in around the chain better? I dunno seems to me thicker is better but hey I also know guys that run burnt motor oil?? lol I know personally I have winter bar and chain in a couple of my 372s and I'm not going worry one bit when I start back up after mud season. If things work out right in the spring- but mostly in the fall I blend my summer and winter and make (spring/Fall) oil, it's not soo thick on the cold mornings and not too thin on warm days.

Haggis · April 10, 2015, 02:45:11 PM

Great thanks.

Magicman · April 10, 2015, 08:14:11 PM

And Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Haggis. 8)

Haggis · April 14, 2015, 09:03:16 AM

Thanks it seems like a great place and a wealth of knowledge here.

lumberjack48 · April 14, 2015, 01:43:35 PM

In the 60's when we ran solid nose bars the best oil i found was 80/90 mixed with number 1 fuel oil. We mixed it to what the temp was, right down to -40. The nose on the bar was green, in other words will lubed.
When using thiner oil, you'll notice basically no chain stretching. The heavier oil dose not get into rivets on the chain. The lighter oil also lubricates the roller nose better then heavy oil. The light oil gets in to the sprocket nose bearings better.

Icehouse · April 18, 2015, 04:46:07 PM

I have been known to run winter oil all summer, Walmart had a sale on winter grade so I bought 10 gallons. Used most of it up and saw no difference chain was always nicely oiled.

Asima · April 23, 2015, 03:03:26 PM

Oil viscosity versus seasons are just general rules that can be overruled at any given time. I've used about any lubricant (in certain situations) without problems. Quality of bar, chain tension and sharpness, depth of cutting travel are much more important. Skip one of these detail and you'l ruin everything way faster, proper oiling or not. It is all about controlling the heat.