Chainsaw vs Outboard 2 Cycle Oil

[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