50 to 1 mix for ALL small engines... 2-stroke and 4-stroke?

ultrarunner · Apr 15, 2018

$6 a quart give or take plus tax... last time I got serious it worked out to just under $28 a gallon.

I keep a quart in my service truck should I need my saw on the go...

grm61 · Apr 15, 2018

ultrarunner said:
He said he only uses the expensive Stihl brand oil bought in a multi-pack.

I run ethanol free gas in all my lawn garden equipment...ethanol free premium localy for about .50 more per gallon the ethanol premium.

I run that in the pressure washer and riding mower with stabil.

As a plug for the expensive stihl oil I have a FS90 4mix weed wacker, that was my original reason for using the stihl oil.

I am embarrassed to say that three years ago I mixed up 5 gallons of ethanol free premium. with the 50/1 stihl oil. My 4mix weed wacker, stihl chainsaws and blower, still fire right up like you used them yesterday.
I do shake the can up:drink:

Good chit, but have not felt the need to use it in stuff that does not need it.

Wagtail · Apr 16, 2018

2-stroke engines get the 50:1 mix (actually, I run 40:1) only. 4-stroke engines get regular petrol. Different cans and markings.

WOW (speaking of petrol prices)! :shocked: I just did a quick conversion and, here in Tassie, I'm paying A$5.52 for just over a US gallon of non-ethanol 91 octane (regular) petrol. [A$1.38 per litre]

The 'greenie' stuff is only A$0.01 cheaper = not worth it.

ultrarunner · Apr 16, 2018

I just filled up with 91 ethanol blend and paid $3.69 a gallon..

California recently boosted gas and diesel fuel taxes.

RalphVa · Apr 16, 2018

I've done it in the past. Makes a lot of sense to me, also using just one oil/gas ratio, too. Many 4 stroke engines would use about this much crankcase oil (for the same amount of gas), which isn't ashless like the 2 stroke oil.

Around here, I can get methanol free gas (87 octane) for a little bit more than premium. I don't fuss over it though. Still use 10% methanol fuel when it isn't convenient to get the methanol free stuff. Cannot use 2 stroke equipment any more with a pacemaker in my chest. Replaced those with 20-40v battery equipment.

Ralph

ultrarunner · Apr 16, 2018

Several threads on the benefits of Seafoam and Stabil for minimizing fuel issues... both of which are added to fuel.

I probably go through no more than 20 gallons of two-stroke excluding the outboard which has not been in the water since the two stroke ban... but this is a topic for another discussion.

I also keep fuel in the Service Truck... so it is more exposed to temp swings and I have had issues of it going bad...

Honest... never had any carb problems for decades but do now... both 2 and 4 stroke engines... so far zero fuel injection issues.

Never realized there is a connection with pacemakers tied to two stroke equipment... is it only for hand held or does it apply to things like outboards?

RalphVa · Apr 17, 2018

ultrarunner said:
Several threads on the benefits of Seafoam and Stabil for minimizing fuel issues... both of which are added to fuel.

I probably go through no more than 20 gallons of two-stroke excluding the outboard which has not been in the water since the two stroke ban... but this is a topic for another discussion.

I also keep fuel in the Service Truck... so it is more exposed to temp swings and I have had issues of it going bad...

Honest... never had any carb problems for decades but do now... both 2 and 4 stroke engines... so far zero fuel injection issues.

Never realized there is a connection with pacemakers tied to two stroke equipment... is it only for hand held or does it apply to things like outboards?

Just not supposed to get close to high voltage ignition. Not supposed to lean over a gas engine when it's running. It's not 2 stroke issue. I'd be leary of outboards if sitting very close to the engine. Be okay if you sat away from it and used a steering wheel.

When I only used regular fuel, I fixed many carb issues with Sea Foam. Haven't had to tear down a carb in eons.

Ralph

JerryK · Apr 17, 2018

I buy 4 cans at Walmart every couple years [ their 40/50:1 is usually less than $5/qt ]. I keep them for backup emergency fuel in case I need to wack up a tree when my normal fuel mixed can is empty. Every few years I use the current cans up, and buy another few to stock away. I have all my 2 cycle tuned up to run at 40:1, and run even the new stuff at that ratio.

Doofy · Apr 17, 2018

Heck, I'm still working on stash from the 70s. I use a little in everything. I figure if I'm not fouling spark plugs or smoking like a fiend, it's all good!