Mr Freedom

Mr Freedom

Member
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
 
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??
 
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??
Click to expand...

Jack oil is the hydraulic oil that goes in the jack, as in the link above^^^^^.
 
^ 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 :-/
 
Turboman said:
as in the link above^^^^^
Click to expand...
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.
 
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 :-/
Click to expand...

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
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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

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

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

Cheers
 
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
Click to expand...

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? :confused:
 
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