uses for used motor oil?

[Groo]

I was thinking of 2 possible uses for used motor oil;
1. In a hydraulic system.
seams like even used motor oil has got to be better than many hydraulic oils since it is a much higher grade of oil to start with. Could this cause damage? I don't see how having suspended carbon in the oil would hurt anything and the loss of additives would mean nothing to hydraulic oil.
2. Well diluted in diesel fuel.
I've heard of people burning straight ATF, so it seams like I could burn used motor oil at 10:1 or so without any harm

I'd rather not go through the hassle of properly recycling it if I don't have to, and if I can get away with using it in place of something that would cost $4 a gallon or even $20 a gallon, all that much better, but it certainly isn't worth risking the equipment if it isn't safe.

What do you guys think?

 

[Dan Hunter]

The stuff that accumulates in oil thus warranting removal and replacement is not something you'd want running through your fuel system and turning your injectors into dribblers.

 

[DennisFolsom]

I would be concerned about adverse effects on seals, etc. in a hydraulic system. Most HST tractors use the same sump for both the hydraulics and the transmission. It's my understanding that using the wrong oils in HST's can lead to problems.

Diluting old oil in the fuel, as a means of disposing of it, and getting some fuel value out of it may be an OK idea. If I were to try it, I would want to make sure I filtered it very well before putting it in my fuel tank. I know the fuel gets filtered before going to the injectors, I but I wouldn't want to crap up my fuel filter.

I'm certainly no expert. Anyone else got thought on this?

 

[k0ua]

I use it to coat wooden forms when pouring concrete. Makes removal of the forms very easy. No thank you on the hydraulic fluid or diluted form in the fuel..it is full of nasty things, that is why you change it out of the crankcase.

 

[Groo]

I am pretty sure you can safely more than double the like of motor oil by changing the filter and adding an additive package. I've read about OTR fleets doing that on more than one occasion. Oil goes bad when the additives are used up. There shouldn't be any gobs of stuff in it if the filter is doing its job. Any "floaties" will be microscopic.

The hydraulic system I was thinking of using it in is separate from the transmission and calls for 30wt (previous owner ran hydraulic fluid, I've been running cheap motor oil). I wouldn't put it in the little Kubota.

 

[rambler]

I would not use it to replace the average hyd oil. Some old eastern Europe tractors might be set up for such use.

In the old days you could filter the oil well and use it 1 to 10 or so in the fuel. Makes it smoke a little more. The new high-tolerance fuel delivery systems I'd be nervious messing up the spendy parts of the fuel pump and rail.

--->Paul

 

[MikeFarm]

Hi all

Used motor oil is good for pouring onto wooden fence posts to prevent termites. Pour straight oil into the ground around the base of the post and you can also add kerosene or turps to the oil to thin it out and then spray posts with it.

Mike

 

[hosspuller]

I used used motor oil as bar oil in the chainsaw. worked well. Used two gallons in 4 years. Recycled the rest at Autozone Fuel systems and hydraulic systems have many very expensive parts compared to cost of a few gallons of new oil and a little time and gas to recycle used oil.

 

[MHarryE]

Used engine oil would be bad for a hydraulic system because of the contaminants. What does an engine system run - 40 - 60 psi? A medium pressure hydro will run at 4,500 psi and a high pressure system 6,000 psi. Soot isn't the only thing in old engine oil - bits of gears, bearings, etc. You are right - engine oil is great hydraulic oil - if you can afford it. I was at the Cat dealer in Dubai and saw them draining their new 45 ton hydraulic excavator factory fill oil and replacing it with 15W-40 engine oil. My Cat mini-excavator book says to switch to 15W-40 engine oil whenever the daytime highs are consistently over 40C (104F).

 

[Groo]

I used used motor oil as bar oil in the chainsaw. worked well. Used two gallons in 4 years. Recycled the rest at Autozone Fuel systems and hydraulic systems have many very expensive parts compared to cost of a few gallons of new oil and a little time and gas to recycle used oil.

I'm surprised it works well. Bar oil has "stickiness" additives in it.

 

[Groo]

I would not use it to replace the average hyd oil. Some old eastern Europe tractors might be set up for such use.

In the old days you could filter the oil well and use it 1 to 10 or so in the fuel. Makes it smoke a little more. The new high-tolerance fuel delivery systems I'd be nervious messing up the spendy parts of the fuel pump and rail.

--->Paul

I'd be using it in old mechanical injected engines, not the new picky ones.

 

[rsewill]

Once worked at a place that had an underground fuel tank. I don't know how many gallons it held but all the old oil went in it and we never had a problem with the fuel that came out of it. I suspect any metals, etc. will settle into the water in the bottom of the fuel tank. It was a gravel hauling company so all the fuel that went into the trucks came from that tank.

I disposed of between 40 and 50 gals of waste oil this past fall. I wasn't at all tempted to put any of it in my Diesel cars. But if I had the same setup as the gravel hauling company I wouldn't hesitate to dump it in the fuel tank.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I use all my old motor and hydraulic oil on burn piles and also use it to coat the wood in the trailer deck. So far, I have been able to use most of it that way. I have in the past used it for termite preventative on wooden fences, but I no longer have any wood fences to contend with. I hear it also makes good yellow jacket nest killer. Diesel makes good wasp killer when used in a garden sprayer.
I wont be putting it in my diesel tank for sure. Even assuming that the fuel filter will catch all the gunk, I don't care to change the filters any more often than I have to and the cost of filters would negate some of your savings in fuel anyway.

 

[2950johndeere]

you can use a pint to every ten gallons of fuel and its fine ive done it for a long time on our tractors it lubicates the injector pump as the new fuels dont have much lubricity in them the older motors do good on it they will smoke a little but not realy enough to notice another benfit is it helps lube the valves and seats just remeber 1 pint to 10gallons of fuel

 

[Groo]

I use all my old motor and hydraulic oil on burn piles and also use it to coat the wood in the trailer deck. So far, I have been able to use most of it that way. I have in the past used it for termite preventative on wooden fences, but I no longer have any wood fences to contend with. I hear it also makes good yellow jacket nest killer. Diesel makes good wasp killer when used in a garden sprayer.
I wont be putting it in my diesel tank for sure. Even assuming that the fuel filter will catch all the gunk, I don't care to change the filters any more often than I have to and the cost of filters would negate some of your savings in fuel anyway.

seams like just 2 or 3 gallons would pay for a new filter with today's fuel prices.

 

[hosspuller]

I'm surprised it works well. Bar oil has "stickiness" additives in it.

My bar has outlived more than a dozen chains. I still have the spare bar hanging in the shop. Saw has an auto pump, with the waste oil, I can see the oil flung from the tip at high engine rpm's. I don't mind the oil, it's firewood after all. perhaps, without the "stickiness" the abrasive dirt is flushed away.

 

[tonyoz]

One of the best uses for old oil is as a timber stain, mixed with red oxide or other such colored powders can make fence post and rails look real smart. Reusing in any component is nothing short of being cent smart, dollar dumb.

 

[Gary Fowler]

My time used in buying filters, changing them, bleeding the system is worth much more than 2 or 3 gallons of fuel. If my company is willing to pay me $75 per hour for working, then my off time is for sure worth $100 an hour to me for which I can be doing other things rather than mechanic work. Heck my time is worth $50 to set on the couch and watch TV.
Sometimes saving a few dollars will cost you more in the long run even if not in money then in time. Time is something that you find more and more valuable as you grow older and older.

 

[Mark Page]

I use it in the shop's wood stove. Pour 1 cup at a time over the logs. I also burn all my oily rags and dirty filters.

 

[Jstpssng]

i used it for bar oil for a while, but it's nasty.
I bring mine to a local garage that has a waste oil burner for heat.