What's jack oil?

Mr Freedom · Apr 28, 2018

Hello
Had a puncture recently and discovered my bottle jack does not work. Looked into buying a new one locally, but nothing looks suitable for a defender. The jack needs more oil I assume, but can't seem to get any specific "jack-oil" around here (live in rural France). Whats is Jack oil? Is something labelled
"Oil For Piston Compressor," ok to use?
Cheers

Turboman · Apr 28, 2018

Mr Freedom said:
Hello
Had a puncture recently and discovered my bottle jack does not work. Looked into buying a new one locally, but nothing looks suitable for a defender. The jack needs more oil I assume, but can't seem to get any specific "jack-oil" around here (live in rural France). Whats is Jack oil? Is something labelled
"Oil For Piston Compressor," ok to use?
Cheers

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/...ils-and-car-fluids/auxiliary-fluids/jack-oils

Wimblowdriver · Apr 28, 2018

I think jack oil is for screw type jacks, to lube the threads. I assume yours is a hydraulic jack? and that you are locking the bleed screw before pumping the handle??

Turboman · Apr 28, 2018

Wimblowdriver said:
I think jack oil is for screw type jacks, to lube the threads. I assume yours is a hydraulic jack? and that you are locking the bleed screw before pumping the handle??

Jack oil is the hydraulic oil that goes in the jack, as in the link above^^^^^.

Mr Freedom · Apr 28, 2018

^ yeah it's a hydraulic bottle jack, this one - http://www.paddockspares.com/jack-lifting-1.html

I've never used one before ... I tried and tried to get it working on the side of the road. I showed it to the guy who fitted our new tyre(s) and he couldn't get it working either - said it needed more oil. It is possible that I unscrewed the bleed screw too far and released some of the oil onto my trousers :-/

Wimblowdriver · Apr 28, 2018

Turboman said:
as in the link above^^^^^

So it is, looks like Iv'e learned summit today

. Got lots of jacks in me garage ranging from scissors, 1970's transit screw type bottle, unused standard hydraulic bottle in the landy, but I'll invariably use my trusty trolley jack when I need it.

neilly · Apr 28, 2018

Mr Freedom said:
^ yeah it's a hydraulic bottle jack, this one - http://www.paddockspares.com/jack-lifting-1.html

I've never used one before ... I tried and tried to get it working on the side of the road. I showed it to the guy who fitted our new tyre(s) and he couldn't get it working either - said it needed more oil. It is possible that I unscrewed the bleed screw too far and released some of the oil onto my trousers :-/

Ooopps, refill it and try it again. had one of them leak out of the filler plug on the side, when laid down wrong . Refilled and worked fine.

Cheers

Turboman · Apr 28, 2018

Wimblowdriver said:
So it is, looks like Iv'e learned summit today . Got lots of jacks in me garage ranging from scissors, 1970's transit screw type bottle, unused standard hydraulic bottle in the landy, but I'll invariably use my trusty trolley jack when I need it.

Jack oil is good for trolley jacks as well. I have often topped up both kinds. In practice we used to use tractor hydraulic oil, which is more or less the same.
The oil will be suitable for lubricating the mechanical parts of the jack as well, as you say.

Mr Freedom · Apr 28, 2018

I read somewhere that calling it "jack oil" was really a marketing ploy, as you could use pretty much anything. I've no knowledge on the subject myself I hasten to add. Anyway, will order a couple of litres of "jack oil", enough for accidents and experiments ... Cheers for comments.

Turboman · Apr 28, 2018

Mr Freedom said:
I read someine that calling it "jack oil" was really a marketing ploy, as you could use pretty much anything. I've no knowledge on the subject myself I hasten to add. Anyway, will order a couple of litres of "jack oil", enough for accidents and experiments ... Cheers for comments.

Anything of a fairly low viscosity, tractor hydraulic oil is 20 grade, IIRC. You don't want to use engine oil, it will be very difficult to pump the jack in cold weather, and the additives may not help the seals on the jack.

With the amount that you will use, the cost is not really a problem. A litre will probably last you a lifetime.

neilly · Apr 28, 2018

Turboman said:
Anything of a fairly low viscosity, tractor hydraulic oil is 20 grade,

Bottle in my garage states 10W on it.

Cheers

Turboman · Apr 28, 2018

neilly said:
Bottle in my garage states 10W on it.

Cheers

That will work fine, so will 20W. Hydraulic fluid comes in both, for different applications.
Most engine oils are much thicker.

Flossie · Apr 28, 2018

I got 1/2 ltr of jack oil around 25 yrs ago, still got loads left.

neilly · Apr 28, 2018

Flossie said:
I got 1/2 ltr of jack oil around 25 yrs ago, still got loads left.

Glad this is not in AG....

Cheers

Flossie · Apr 28, 2018

Turboman · Apr 28, 2018

neilly said:
Glad this is not in AG....

Cheers

Might end up in the DJ fred.

lynall · Apr 28, 2018

I often used engine oil in jacks, mainly as the oil can was already full!

Turboman · Apr 28, 2018

lynall said:
I often used engine oil in jacks, mainly as the oil can was already full!

Maybe does no harm, then.

I never have, partly because we always had hydraulic oil, and engine oil is not recommended for other hydraulic applications, because it does not have anti foam additives.

Common sense would suggest that the heavier grades might be hard going for jacking in very cold conditions.

neilly · Apr 28, 2018

Turboman said:
I never have, partly because we always had hydraulic oil, and engine oil is not recommended for other hydraulic applications, because it does not have anti foam additives.

lynall said:
I often used engine oil in jacks, mainly as the oil can was already full!

After all, for a lot of people it is only a safety critical items.....How about using jack oil / hydraulic oil only......LOL.

Cheers

Turboman · Apr 28, 2018

neilly said:
After all, for a lot of people it is only a safety critical items.....How about using jack oil / hydraulic oil only......LOL.

Cheers

It shouldn't be a safety critical item, as you should never get under a vehicle supported on a jack alone.

Or do you mean we should only use jack oil in engines as well?

What's jack oil?

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