Chainsaw vs Outboard 2 Cycle Oil

[MESSMAKER]

I struggle to see the logic in this. A 2 stroke engine gets a steady stream of lub. since it is mixed with the incoming fuel.It has almost no time to break down. I have used different oil in dirt bikes,chain saws,weed eaters and tillers. I have never lost an engine. Improper mixture(too much oil) will cause the engine to run poorly and foul plugs. The only way I would think it would make a difference is in an engine that is running on the bare min. of oil in order to extract the last tiny bit of power. The arguments about lubricants and the I.C. engine always end up with a little science, a little conjecture, some real world experience and a good bit of vodoo with a healthy bit of fear spread about.

 

[RavensRoost]

I struggle to see the logic in this. A 2 stroke engine gets a steady stream of lub. since it is mixed with the incoming fuel.It has almost no time to break down. I have used different oil in dirt bikes,chain saws,weed eaters and tillers. I have never lost an engine. Improper mixture(too much oil) will cause the engine to run poorly and foul plugs. The only way I would think it would make a difference is in an engine that is running on the bare min. of oil in order to extract the last tiny bit of power. The arguments about lubricants and the I.C. engine always end up with a little science, a little conjecture, some real world experience and a good bit of vodoo with a healthy bit of fear spread about.

I see your point, but I would never run outboard oil in a saw unless it was labeled for use in air-cooled and water-cooled ala TCW3. Even then, it would be my cheapie Poulan "Wild Thingy" and not one of my real saws. In the scheme of things, oil is cheap....

RavensRoost

 

[patrick_g]

Most outboards are water cooled and most chainsaws air cooled (run much hotter.) In general it is poor practice to use oil intended for cool running in a much hotter engine and vice versa. I have even read this in the engine documentation (Husky, I think.)

Used ATF filtered or not... gag a maggot what an incredibly dumb idea!

Everyone knows bacon drippings are the way to go for two stroke oil and if you run short you can substitute cod liver oil. No joke, I think I read this on some blog somewhere.

Pat

 

[Skyco]

The bacon drippings reminded me- there actually are scented additives for fuel. I'm partial to the cinnamon myself
Manhattan Oil Fuel Fragrances - SummitRacing.com

 

[patrick_g]

The bacon drippings reminded me- there actually are scented additives for fuel. I'm partial to the cinnamon myself
Manhattan Oil Fuel Fragrances - SummitRacing.com

Girlie man!!! Cinnamon???? Nothing better than drippins from hickory smoke and black strap molasses cured bacon. Some of the rind stuffed in next to the drive sprocket will help keep 'er lubed up too!

Pat

 

[Egon]

Just lay the breakfast bacon on the manifold. Can of beans along side.
Breakfast ready when you get to work!

 

[bp fick]

I can understand "wanting" to be frugal use that gallon of oil, but the best thing to do is to trade it or just give it to a friend. Cast your bread upon the water. Pay it forward kind of thing.

No way you should use 2 stroke oil, designed for a water cooled engine, in a hot running, air cooled engine. The ash differential is important too.

Would it kill your chainsaw in 10 minutes of use? no, of course not. But my goodness, you can buy store brand air cooled 2 stroke oil at any big box for so cheap. Makes no sense to be penny wise and pound foolish. Just my $.02

 

[newbury]

Just lay the breakfast bacon on the manifold. Can of beans along side.
Breakfast ready when you get to work!

ot -
used to cook hot dogs and corn on the car manifold while driving

 

[valley]

I have used 2stroke oil in my chainsaw for years. I bought a new chainsaw last year and have been useing it in that. Reading what you guys have to say has me worried now. I'll read the lable and if it doesn't say to be used in air cooled engines I will buy an oil that does.
The first chainsaw I had said in the instructions to use motor oil and gave the ratio per gallon. That was about 40 years ago.

 

[RobertN]

We had Jeeps from the 60's till late 80's(Dad did). In the 70's AMC/Jeep had a newsletter that came out a few times a year. They had some recipes for cooking on the intake or exhaust manifold. Never did try them though... Sure it would work though. Most were supposed to be foil wrapped "dishes"

Just lay the breakfast bacon on the manifold. Can of beans along side.
Breakfast ready when you get to work!

 

[WNYTractorTinkerer]

Most outboards are water cooled and most chainsaws air cooled (run much hotter.) In general it is poor practice to use oil intended for cool running in a much hotter engine and vice versa. I have even read this in the engine documentation (Husky, I think.)

Used ATF filtered or not... gag a maggot what an incredibly dumb idea!

Everyone knows bacon drippings are the way to go for two stroke oil and if you run short you can substitute cod liver oil. No joke, I think I read this on some blog somewhere.

Pat

PORK-POWER!! Nice Idea!!

Sorry to say I don't buy into the hubub around 2-cycle oil stuff.. Every 2-cycle thing I own runs well on my concoction of 40:1 gas to Oil mixture with a lil' fuel stabilizer added.. Personally I feel 50:1 is a tad stout and just gums up the works.. But Hey- I rebuild everything that breaks (nothin yet!) so it's not a problem!

 

[patrick_g]

PORK-POWER!! Nice Idea!!

Sorry to say I don't buy into the hubub around 2-cycle oil stuff.. Every 2-cycle thing I own runs well on my concoction of 40:1 gas to Oil mixture with a lil' fuel stabilizer added.. Personally I feel 50:1 is a tad stout and just gums up the works.. But Hey- I rebuild everything that breaks (nothin yet!) so it's not a problem!

I know people who don't buy into the hubub of looking both ways before crossing the street and they aren't dead yet but that doesn't make their actions advisable or the best choice.

Often there is what is recommended by knowledgeable experts and then there is what you can or think you can get away with in the absence of valid tests. Unless you run a test of like saws doing like work you would never know if the "RIGHT STUFF" would give you a greater MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures). Even then a small sample, one saw used each way, is not statistically valid. Consider flipping a coin ONE TIME and then reporting that 100% of your trials gave you heads. Not very useful or predictive of future outcomes is it?

The fuel stabilizer is an excellent idea if the saw ever sits idle for an appreciable period of time between fuelings as today's gas deteriorates even faster than in the good ole days and sure will literally gum up a carb.

Pat

 

[Egon]

Sorry to say I don't buy into the hubub around 2-cycle oil stuff.. Every 2-cycle thing I own runs well on my concoction of 40:1 gas to Oil mixture with a lil' fuel stabilizer added..

The question is "For How Long" ?

Them folks that refine and bottle the different oils spend lots of money on research in an attempt to get a product as best as they can thats suitable for the stated use.

Lots of literature on the web giving details!

 

[Baucom]

I can buy a 6 pack of Shindaiwa oil at my dealer for $5.95--that's less than a buck a bottle. I fail to see why I'd even consider chancing it with a $600 saw to try and save a couple bucks on oil.

 

[WilliamBos]

I can buy a 6 pack of Shindaiwa oil at my dealer for $5.95--that's less than a buck a bottle. I fail to see why I'd even consider chancing it with a $600 saw to try and save a couple bucks on oil.

I agree. The Husky oil is the same price at our Dealer, so why bother.

 

[LBrown59]

I can buy a 6 pack of Shindaiwa oil at my dealer for $5.95--that's less than a buck a bottle.
1*I fail to see why I'd even consider chancing it with a $600 saw to try and save a couple bucks on oil.

It's not really that hard to see when there's guys out there that will gamble on forfeting a $20,000 tractor to save a buck on tranny Fluid.

 

[Skyco]

Every 2-cycle thing I own runs well on my concoction of 40:1 gas to Oil mixture with a lil' fuel stabilizer added.. Personally I feel 50:1 is a tad stout and just gums up the works..

Gums it up with what? Excess oil? You do realize 40:1 has more oil than 50:1 dontcha?

 

[HarryVanderpool]

I read through this thread with great interest.
Then I went to my shop and looked at the label of the 2-stroke oil I have been using for decades; Valvoline 2-stroke oil.
TC-3W rated yet the label says good for all 2-stroke engines, oil and water cooled.
Then, I looked at a gallon bottle of Yamalube that my son gave me. Actually he gave me 4 gallons that he snagged at a farm auction.
TC-3W and recomends the EXACT AMOUNT AS THE VALVOLINE!!!

Now don't get me wrong. I believe in using the right lubricant for the job whether it is grease, oil, or what ever.
But I have been using the Valvoline in my saws, weed eaters, outboard motors and dirt bikes since the 60s with no ill effects.

My bottom line:
Folks just love to blame the ethinol in their gas for all of their problems that really arise from poor maintenence.
I'm guessing the same holds true for 2-stroke oil.

-Evenrude 5.5hp outboard
-Early McCulloch 10-10
-1980 McCulloch 610 (heavy annual use)
-70's Sthil 056 Magnum
-1987 Weedeater el-cheapo line trimmer (moderate annual use)
-1992 Sears straight shaft trimmer (heavy annual use)

All of the above are fueled by Valvoline all purpose TC-3W "All purpose" 2 stroke oil mix.

 

[Youare]

I have been running chainsaws for over 30 years and had a few outboard motors during that time also. When I purchased my first chainsaw the dealer told me never to use outboard oil in the chainsaw. The reason being the outboard motor is water cooled and the chainsaw is not and runs at a highed temperature, each oil is formulated to work best at a specific temperature range.

There are new synthetic oils made for chainsaw engines which offer better protection and lubrication than the former 2-cycle chainsaw oils. I always use Husky or Sthil 2-cycle oil and 91 octane fuel in my saws, and I haven't had a problem in 30+ years. The professional saws I buy cost over $600.00 each, I have 3, I am not going to skimp and buy cheap
2-cycle oil.

Randy

 

[patrick_g]

I have been running chainsaws for over 30 years and had a few outboard motors during that time also. When I purchased my first chainsaw the dealer told me never to use outboard oil in the chainsaw. The reason being the outboard motor is water cooled and the chainsaw is not and runs at a highed temperature, each oil is formulated to work best at a specific temperature range.

There are new synthetic oils made for chainsaw engines which offer better protection and lubrication than the former 2-cycle chainsaw oils. I always use Husky or Sthil 2-cycle oil and 91 octane fuel in my saws, and I haven't had a problem in 30+ years. The professional saws I buy cost over $600.00 each, I have 3, I am not going to skimp and buy cheap
2-cycle oil.

Randy

Harry and Randy, There just may be oil that is good for both water and air cooled engines and it may be a synthetic BUT labeling oil good for ALL 2 strokes and making oil good for all 2 strokes is two different things. One boosts sales and the other hasn't been widely demonstrated to be true.

While I have no doubt that many of us are satisfied with whatever we are doing and the results we are getting but nevertheless we don't have all the facts. One incontrovertible fact is that if you use the right oil, in the right amount, blended for your application then you have done about all you can do with minimum risk.

I return to the guy crossing the street without looking either way example... He may not have had a bad outcome YET but his actions are likely suboptimal.

I sure don't want to argue against success or someones long term satisfactory experience but since we seldom run long term tests with similar machines lubricated with contending products few of us are in a position to place facts in evidence beyond I did such and such and I'm happy with the results. Erring on the side of prudence and using lubricants specifically formulated for your application will not cause you a problem. To do otherwise is taking a blind leap of faith which may be rewarded positively OR NOT. IT is for the individual to manage his own risk and decide if the economy of XXX oil is warranted vs the $ of the equipment.

My treasure trove of 2 stroke oil is about a dozen quarts of Castrol formulated for high temp applications. I got it at a sale for less than $1 a quart. I have given a few quarts away to friends. It is quite a bargain and Castrol is quality product so far as I know. It was a favored oil in certain circles of the motorcycle desert racing guys I knew in San Diego (raced and "played" in Baja) before synthetics crept into general usage.

In general, so little 2 stroke oil is used in weed eaters, chain saws (non professional users), and like equipment that the economics are not a big driver in the equation (like engine life is) so buying the best is not a big deal. If I manage to use up my hoard of Castrol I'll likely go synthetic.

Pat