Floor jack oil recommendation

[Patrick0525]

I have a 1993 Hein-Werner (Winner series) 2 ton floor jack part code# 68041 and never had the oil changed.
How shall I change it? What is the procedure and is your favorite oil?
It doesn't leak..

 

[maxdustington]

Hydro oil. I can't remember the weight.

DO NOT put ATF in there.

 

[SZR48207]

Autozone sells hydraulic jack oil. They will have 1 kind.

 

[LeakySeals]

I change every 2 years on all 3 of my jacks. They are keeping me alive, the least I can do. There are 2 types.

Regular jack oil.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Jack-Hydraulic-Jack-Oil-8-fl-oz/17757422

And a "high mileage" version.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BAR-S-LEAKS-HJ12-Jack-Oil-with-Stop-Leak/16888776

I use the high mileage version, seals are the biggest issues with jacks.

 

[Patrick0525]

Originally Posted by LeakySeals
I change every 2 years on all 3 of my jacks. They are keeping me alive, the least I can do. There are 2 types.

Regular jack oil.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Jack-Hydraulic-Jack-Oil-8-fl-oz/17757422

And a "high mileage" version.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BAR-S-LEAKS-HJ12-Jack-Oil-with-Stop-Leak/16888776

I use the high mileage version, seals are the biggest issues with jacks.

I am sure I need the high mileage oil since I only use the floor jack 3-to-4 time per year since 1993.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I got some at Wally World; then a bigger bottle from Amazon.
Old floor jacks rock; I just can't pick 'em up anymore.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted by Patrick0525
Originally Posted by LeakySeals
I change every 2 years on all 3 of my jacks. They are keeping me alive, the least I can do. There are 2 types.

Regular jack oil.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Jack-Hydraulic-Jack-Oil-8-fl-oz/17757422

And a "high mileage" version.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BAR-S-LEAKS-HJ12-Jack-Oil-with-Stop-Leak/16888776

I use the high mileage version, seals are the biggest issues with jacks.

I am sure I need the high mileage oil since I only use the floor jack 3-to-4 time per year since 1993.

Any pics? I have one old orange 2 ton and over the past 5 years purchased 2 Harbor freight 3 ton (64260). I must admit the cheap HF jacks are good. Flawless actually. Like how fast the "rapid pump" works. So.. if things don't work out with the old jack, consider the HF jacks.

 

[Kestas]

I just bought a floor jack a year ago. How often should the fluid be changed?

 

[skyactiv]

Walmart has it the cheapest I'm guessing. Probably near the jacks on the top shelf?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/BAR-S-LEAKS-HJ12-Jack-Oil-with-Stop-Leak/16888776

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

I use Walmart jack oil. Replace it about every two years. Just about any ISO hydraulic oil should work. Probably 32 or 46. Oil for this application is nothing special. ATF will probably work too. Just don't put engine oil or brake fluid in your jack.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted by maxdustington
DO NOT put ATF in there.

Whoever told you that you can not use ATF lied to you.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted by Kestas
I just bought a floor jack a year ago. How often should the fluid be changed?


I have never changed the oil in a floor jack or bottle jack in over 40 years of owning and using them.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted by Yah-Tah-Hey
ATF will probably work too. Just don't put engine oil or brake fluid in your jack.

ATF works just fine.

Light engine oil (5W-20, 0W-20, etc ) also works just fine and will not cause any problems.

Brake fluid is not oil. ... not even a little bit.

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted by Linctex
Originally Posted by Kestas
I just bought a floor jack a year ago. How often should the fluid be changed?

I have never changed the oil in a floor jack or bottle jack in over 40 years of owning and using them.

I had a cheap floor jack I bought new 20 years ago that gave up. The fluid was black. I wonder if I could have gotten more life out of it had I changed the fluid.

 

[Patrick0525]

Originally Posted by LeakySeals
Originally Posted by Patrick0525
Originally Posted by LeakySeals
I change every 2 years on all 3 of my jacks. They are keeping me alive, the least I can do. There are 2 types.

Regular jack oil.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Jack-Hydraulic-Jack-Oil-8-fl-oz/17757422

And a "high mileage" version.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BAR-S-LEAKS-HJ12-Jack-Oil-with-Stop-Leak/16888776

I use the high mileage version, seals are the biggest issues with jacks.

I am sure I need the high mileage oil since I only use the floor jack 3-to-4 time per year since 1993.

Any pics? I have one old orange 2 ton and over the past 5 years purchased 2 Harbor freight 3 ton (64260). I must admit the cheap HF jacks are good. Flawless actually. Like how fast the "rapid pump" works. So.. if things don't work out with the old jack, consider the HF jacks.



The 1993 HW pic.

 

[Kestas]

Last year I bought a Harbor Freight jack. It had good reviews, including people that had them for 10 years. Thumbs up from me as well.

 

[George Bynum]

Originally Posted by Linctex
Originally Posted by Yah-Tah-Hey
ATF will probably work too. Just don't put engine oil or brake fluid in your jack.

ATF works just fine.


I'd not use the newer products. At least when first introduced, Dexron VI and plain old o-rings didn't play nice. I don't know if things have changed, but I wouldn't use the new versions, whether GM, Ford, or FCA.

That said, Dexron III, especially the Mobil 1 version, was an excellent hydraulic fluid for cold winter to hot summer use, as in hydraulic garage door actuators.

 

[Patrick0525]

I filled it with STP hyrdraulic jack oil purchased at autozone —$4.99 They did not have the Coastal version.

 

[MolaKule]

You can use Hydraulic Jack Oil/Air Tool Lubricant or ATF. Do NOT use brake fluid as the seals are not compatible with brake fluid.

I find that if I want to keep a floor jack for awhile the external seal around the twist valve need to be wetted once in awhile.

There should be a filler hole somewhere on it so remove the plug and orient it so it drains out.

Refill slowly and pump it up and down a few times to get air out of it.

 

[Ponchinizo]

I just did the oil in mine, put STP hydraulic oil from autozone in. The old fluid came out clear and new looking, but this jack is older than I am and its been at least 15 years since it saw maintenance of any kind. Greased it while I was at it.

It's an old astroline, 2 ton. From the 80s i believe.