Basic Oil question

[GreeCguy]

Good morning fellow oilers:
Here's a really basic oil question. What kind of oil is bar and chain oil made from? "Bar and Chain" as in for a chainsaw. I know it has an extra additive to make it "sticky" so that it sticks to the bar during opperation, but is it basically non-detergent SA rated oil with a sticky additive?
Also, does anyone know if there is a difference in weights of bar and chain oil? I have used the Wal-mart brand which says on the label that it is 30 weight. But I have also used the Coastal brand which lists no weight, but seems to be thicker.
Thank ya big!

 

[drive it forever]

You posted this question in the wrong forum.

 

[Blue99]

In general , bar and chain oil is about an SAE 30 viscosity oil. It could be base stocks for motor oil, but also blends used in hydraulic oils, or even transmission oils.

The additives are mainly some anti-wear agents and a tackifier to help the oil adhere to the chain.

To me, the tackifiers are very apparent in Husqvarna bar oil, as this oil generates “long strings” when the jug is tipped upright to stop pouring.

 

[GreeCguy]

Thanks blue for the reply, and sorry for posting in the wrong forum. I'm a newbie to this forum and really didn't know where to post this question. The reason I ask this question is I have an old '86 Lincoln Town Car that uses oil pretty bad, (or pretty good depending on how you look at it). A couple of months ago, it was two quarts low. I looked around my shed and all I could find was half a jug of bar and chain oil. I thought, "what the heck," and poured away. I thought as well that it being a thicker oil and having the sticky additive, it might actually help old honest Abe. So far, hasn't seemed to hurt anything. But then I was talking with my neighbor and he was telling me bar and chain oil isn't even dino oil but organic based, similar to cooking oil. Anyway, got me curious. Like I say, so far, so good.

 

[sully]

If it was my car I'd change the oil and filter ASAP. I doubt that the chain and bar oil could be a good thing for your engine.

 

[Gary Allan]

I agree with Sully. Although it may give temporary "functional" relief ...you don't know the effects of how it degrades in a combustion environment.

There are plenty of heavier weight oils that might help you out with consumption. Naturally you'll get referred to Auto-Rx as a likely remedy for your beater. Auto-Rx

 

[MolaKule]

GreeC,

I would change the oil ASAP. B&C oil is mainly a straight 30 weight with tackifiers and some AW adds. Potentially a good sludge maker.

Tackifiers are not good for engines with high speed moving parts that are subjected to heat of combustion.

Tackifiers are relegated to way oils, gear lubes, greases, and chain saw oils where go want a really sticky "cling."

I should add (or "plug") that our chain saw oils are Blends of Group I Food Grade oils with Group IV and V oils.