2 Stroke oil Mix question

[jonyyuma]

Now that we have a ratio??? What about water-cooled oil and air-cooled engine oil? I have a quantity of mercruiser 50 to 1 boat engine oil... I was told air-cooled has extra protection againest scuffing? I do use Stihl oil in my saws?

 

[dodge man]

At one time I had 32:1, 40:1, and 50:1, 2 stroke gas-oil mixes. I wrote on the cans with a Shaprie what they were for so as to not get confused. I now use Amsoil at 50:1 for everything. They swear it works fine at 100:1 but I just can't do it, and go 50:1 instead.

 

[jonyyuma]

I have a bottle from a Amsoil kit that states it is 100 to 1 too. it is un-opened too..

 

[oldyellr]

Now that we have a ratio??? What about water-cooled oil and air-cooled engine oil? I have a quantity of mercruiser 50 to 1 boat engine oil... I was told air-cooled has extra protection againest scuffing? I do use Stihl oil in my saws?

The oils for air-cooled and water-cooled 2-strokes are different because air-cooled generally run hotter. Also, older small water-cooled engines, like outboards, didn't have thermostats like the big outboards, so could run a lot cooler. Then there's the question of oil that's mixed with the gasoline and oil that's injected. If it's the latter engine, you don't mix anything, but you may not want to use that oil for pre-mix unless it specifically says so and gives a ratio.

Oils will usually say if they're for snowmobiles, outboards, motorcycles, chain saws or whatever. For instance, you shouldn't use a snowmobile oil in a chainsaw if you can help it.

 

[jonyyuma]

The oils for air-cooled and water-cooled 2-strokes are different because air-cooled generally run hotter. Also, older small water-cooled engines, like outboards, didn't have thermostats like the big outboards, so could run a lot cooler. Then there's the question of oil that's mixed with the gasoline and oil that's injected. If it's the latter engine, you don't mix anything, but you may not want to use that oil for pre-mix unless it specifically says so and gives a ratio.

Oils will usually say if they're for snowmobiles, outboards, motorcycles, chain saws or whatever. For instance, you shouldn't use a snowmobile oil in a chainsaw if you can help it.

This has been my feelings too..generally follow all the labels too. some speciality oils state a mixed coverage.

 

[ultrarunner]

The oils for air-cooled and water-cooled 2-strokes are different because air-cooled generally run hotter. Also, older small water-cooled engines, like outboards, didn't have thermostats like the big outboards, so could run a lot cooler. Then there's the question of oil that's mixed with the gasoline and oil that's injected. If it's the latter engine, you don't mix anything, but you may not want to use that oil for pre-mix unless it specifically says so and gives a ratio.

Oils will usually say if they're for snowmobiles, outboards, motorcycles, chain saws or whatever. For instance, you shouldn't use a snowmobile oil in a chainsaw if you can help it.

For the old Evinrude Lark circa 1958 I still use oil from 1960 in metal screw top quart containers.

The engine is seldom run anymore because all the places we loved are off limits to 2 strokes... My Uncle got a deal on a pallet of oil when a local store closed in 1960 and still have about a dozen cans... 1 can per tank of 6 gallons?

The only place I can run it is salt water or the estuary.

 

[benski]

I've had great success using Amsoil 2 stroke motor oils at the recommended ratios. And, there are indeed different formulations for different applications.
My chainsaws, weed trimmers, hedge trimmers, oil-injected outboard motors, pre-mix outboards, leaf blowers, everything gets its recommended oil, at the Amsoil specification. YMMV.

 

[oldyellr]

For the old Evinrude Lark circa 1958 I still use oil from 1960 in metal screw top quart containers.

Now that brings up a question. Should you really be using oil that's THAT old?

 

[benski]

I don't know if the additives (such as they were in the '60s) would degrade over time, but if it was me, I'd go ahead and step up to 21st century technology, and run my favorite synthetic at 50:1.

 

[ultrarunner]

Now that brings up a question. Should you really be using oil that's THAT old?

A friend sells on e-bay and said I should be selling those old cans of two stroke mix!!!

I've picked up quite a few more from the late 60's... left behind when I bought property.

 

[ultrarunner]

I don't know if the additives (such as they were in the '60s) would degrade over time, but if it was me, I'd go ahead and step up to 21st century technology, and run my favorite synthetic at 50:1.

Almost a mute point because the old motors can't be used around here anymore...

Did get the back cover of Boating World about 10 years ago... had the old girl out on Lake Tahoe for one last cruise on the last legal day before the two-stroke ban went into effect.

Which brings up another subject.

Europe is very green in many cases more so then here.

Ten years ago there was a special $12 a quart vegetable based two stroke oil used there which allowed use on otherwise banned two-stroke waterways.

West Marine even started to stock it... didn't last long because the powers that be said they had no way to know who had the environmentally safe oil and those who did not...

 

[oldyellr]

Ten years ago there was a special $12 a quart vegetable based two stroke oil used there which allowed use on otherwise banned two-stroke waterways.

West Marine even started to stock it... didn't last long because the powers that be said they had no way to know who had the environmentally safe oil and those who did not...

I bet a poorly tuned, leaky 4-stroke pollutes more than a well-tuned, well-maintained 2-stroke. They should have a means of measuring pollution before banning a boat. As for vegetable oil, I believe Castrol "R" is still available, but it probably contains a lot of additives now and is quite expensive.

 

[brucew44guns]

The big thing I've learned here on this topic, is that just about anything works, according to your various testimonys!! Oils have one big thing in common, they all lubricate. My son-in-law has 4 Stihl saws, all larger models and he really uses those saws hard. For over 10 years, he has used Chevron TCW-3, oil designed for water cooled boat motors, and it says on the bottles not for saws. Recently, a saw did blow a head gasket and was sent to the Stihl dealer. He commented to the SIL that the cylinder was just like new, looked to him like it was unused, after several years of that saw being used a lot. He goes 40:1.

 

[clemsonfor]

I once owned a Homelite Super XL12 saw. I recall it being a 16:1 mix.
Now, I have 6 different saws and blowers and trimmers that are all Stihl. I use the Ultra Synthetic oil at 50:1 for all those machines. One gas can, one fuel. The oil bottles are for 2.5 gallons of gas to be added. I usually put 2.4 just to give a tadge more oiliness. No way would I run that mix in that old Homelite.
I believe that when the machine builder says to go 20:1, or 30:1 or whatever, they usually are referring to Major Oil brands, or names of product other than their own. I used Union 76 brand oil for years, in my Stihls too, but always followed the specific recommendation, I think it 25:1 with major brand stuff, never 50:1 with an oil like that. Stihl say 50":1 with "their" oil, I think that's safe with theirs, but probably not with some generic Wal-Mart cheapo brand.

Yea Stihl says with any other oil to double the oil per gallon or either to run like 32:1?

 

[LD1]

Yea Stihl says with any other oil to double the oil per gallon or either to run like 32:1?

I always hate that too. They think THIER oil is SOOOO much better than anyone elses. It's not just stihl either.

Personally, I think it is because IF you follow their advise, and run double the oil if not theirs, you will notice how bad it smokes and how poor it runs and go back to using their oil.:confused2:

 

[Bird]

My 6 year old Stihl string trimmer says to use the Stihl 50:1 oil "or other high-quality oil". At least for this one, it doesn't call for increasing the amount of oil if you use someone else's oil.

 

[oldmech]

Hi! As for motor oil they are specifications for two stroke oil. First NMMA TC-W3 is for outboard motor. API TC standard Americain two stroke oil They are also JASO FC and ISO EGC . With less smoke and less ash the best is JASO FD Specification. This is the Echo two stroke oil May be also Stihl oil. These oils dont smoke . My Echo SRM-230 dont smoke. I have a old Homelite XL1 I mix 40 to 1. Oil make the smoke. Ash and carbon are no good for piston ring and cylinder. I just hope a good lubricity from these new oil? Good luck ! Oldmech

 

[crazyal]

I buy a synthetic 50 to 1 oil for my chainsaws but usually mix it up between 32 to 40 to 1. I've never had a problem fouling a plug or smoking excessively. Back when I owned a CR250 I did the same thing. Of course when most dirk bikes were 2 stroke there dozens of mfgs who made oil for them. Everything from bean oil to full 100 to 1 synthetics. Pull the plug and check it, if you're running too much oil the plug will tell you.

 

[clemsonfor]

I think is actually more oil specific than engine. Because all 2-strokes operate on the same principals.

Older stuff called for richer mixes of oil becasue the oil just wasnt as good back then.

Technology has improved out understanding of oils and what they do. As a result, oils (especially synthetics) have gotten MUCH better at doing their job. As a result, a 50:1 mix of new stuff will lubricate as well as a 25:1 mix of old stuff.

Personally, we buy the 50:1 mix bottles that are supposed to mux with 2.5 gallons of gas. We mix them with 2 gallons, or about a 40:1 mix and werun that in everything, old and new.:thumbsup:

But like others said if your running a 32:1 engine at 40 or50:1 your running to lean as there is more fuel and less oil going in at any given time. Which can burn up a 2 stroke.

 

[LD1]

But like others said if your running a 32:1 engine at 40 or50:1 your running to lean as there is more fuel and less oil going in at any given time. Which can burn up a 2 stroke.

Since when did more fuel mean lean