Dumb question about 2 stroke oil.

[4570Man]

Thanks. I’ll run by Tractor Supply or the hardware store but I suspect all the more thoughtful folks have bought it all. Nothing like the panic in southern states when ice and snow are on the way. Although even the local meteorologists are saying power may be out for days.

I bought enough to make 4 gallon of gas today and they had plenty of it. The propane places in town have been crazy though.

 

[airbiscuit]

Might you get lucky enough to just get rain?

 

[ultrarunner]

Back before 2 stroke oil was a thing and saws ran at 16:1 it was actually 8 oz of 30w non detergent motor oil to a gallon of gas.

Exactly… used this for all 2-Stroke at the farm and on the lake…

Modern engines I think would be hard pressed running on a 16-1 mix.

New synthetics are made for newer engines… 50-1 seems nearly universal today.

I use to mix 5 gallons at a time but now only 1 or 2 gallons to avoid problems that come with alcohol blend which is what’s available in California… unless you buy ready to use mix.

 

[RandyT]

Exactly… used this for all 2-Stroke at the farm and on the lake…

Modern engines I think would be hard pressed running on a 16-1 mix.

New synthetics are made for newer engines… 50-1 seems nearly universal today.

I use to mix 5 gallons at a time but now only 1 or 2 gallons to avoid problems that come with alcohol blend which is what’s available in California… unless you buy ready to use mix.

I think you are correct. At best it would clear the mosquitoes for a county mile. At worse you could use the oil being puked out the muffler to oil the bar and chain. And somebody would get the bright idea to use either detergent motor oil which would seize the engine or synthetic motor oil which for the most part is non flammable.

 

[N80]

Might you get lucky enough to just get rain?

I’m hoping for rain or nothing. Forecasts for this sort of thing are notoriously bad around here so maybe that’s all we’ll have but I’m more or less prepared for an ice storm and power outages. I do worry about my elderly in-laws across town.

 

[olenjohn]

Finding snowmobile oil here would be as likely as finding a polar bear.

Then opt for 2 stroke outboard motor oil. I’ve run plenty of Quiksilver thru my chainsaws.

 

[aircommuter]

Keep in mind that two stroke oil for air cooled is different than the oil for liquid cooled engines due to higher heat and rpm. I certainly wouldn’t make a leaner mixture than specified.

 

[dkmc]

In an emergency I would pick my poorest saw and mix it heavy (like +50%) and do absolute min. if I had too.
But would never choose to on purpose.

So 50% ? Like half gas and half oil? That would be a REALLY heavy mix for sure.

 

[aircommuter]

So 50% ? Like half gas and half oil? That would be a REALLY heavy mix for sure.

Likely it would just 4 cycle all the time.

 

[Deertamer]

I am pretty much prepped for the big ice storm ( which most likely won’t even happen) and I realized I forgot something: two stroke oil for my chainsaw. I’ve got about half a gallon mixed and I might have one bottle of the oil somewhere. That will probably be more than enough but there are a lot of big trees in my yard and one my street.

So my question is, can you mix gas and regular motor oil for two stroke engines. I’m assuming not but don’t know why.

I've owned 2 stroke engines, in the past, that recommended non-detergent motor oil. I used it for years because I had it on hand and it was cheaper. It didn't burn as clean as two stroke oil though. I'm not sure non-detergent oil is still available. I think any 2 stroke oil is good however manufacturers want you to buy their name brand $$.

 

[yanmars]

So how did you fare with the weather. Here in Ohio the forecast was spot on. I remember in Jan 1978 they never gave any indication that the blizzard was coming. Here we had at least a two day warning

 

[dkmc]

Likely it would just 4 cycle all the time.

Doubt it would even fire. When I was 12 I got an old Bolens chain saw from my brother in law. It said 20:1 oil ratio. I thought it was 1 part gas and 20 parts oil. Interesting learning experience.

 

[BlueKnife]

I’ve got about half a gallon mixed and I might have one bottle of the oil somewhere.

For future reference, that oil doesn't go bad sitting on the shelf. Buy a gallon or two and it'll still be just as good 30 years from now.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

So 50% ? Like half gas and half oil? That would be a REALLY heavy mix for sure.

for sure would be too heavy. half oil / gas wouldn't even run IMHO. Never tried just guessing.

+50% amount of oil would mean if you like to run 2 1/2 oz of oil per gal fuel up that up too closer to 4 oz / gal. That makes it plenty rich just in a pinch.

A terrible habit for sure but I have had guys in the woodlots run out of 2 stroke oil and use bar oil in a pinch in stead of shutting down for the day they just added more to their clean fuel. DEFINITELY not ideal but in an emergency just to get you through the absolute immediate need I wouldn't have a problem. YMMV.

 

[UncleSam]

So is this for branches or some 12” diameter tree? First I always go to estate sales, and fill a five gallon pail I arrive with-with oils, greases, solvents, etc and offer the seller (who are usually companies hired to clear the estate) “$5 to take away your toxic chemicals” and this never fails. Neverseize, 2 cycle, all sorts of greases, acetone, whatever… mush of it new and unopened. I usually get $200 worth of stuff for $10 or something. Like two five gallon pails and if you go to the store you get sticker shock. Same with lawn and garden fertilizers FYI. The ladies are buying plates and doilies and I am buying consumables five cents on the dollar.

(Incidentally I always grab blankets, sheets and towels they often give me so I can donate them to the local animal shelters because I like to help dogs)

So- I have a barn full of all the stuff for 3 lifetimes.

Nonetheless I also have two backups- I have a Greenworks 80v electric chainsaw and a DeWalt recip saw with the green wood blade handy for branches because one gas saw in a pinch isn’t really a plan. So for a four inch branch on the driveway you won’t be in a jam until you can get yourself oil. Quite frankly the sawzall is something most of us already have and I can cut a lot of branches with it without the hassle.

I am pretty much prepped for the big ice storm ( which most likely won’t even happen) and I realized I forgot something: two stroke oil for my chainsaw. I’ve got about half a gallon mixed and I might have one bottle of the oil somewhere. That will probably be more than enough but there are a lot of big trees in my yard and one my street.

So my question is, can you mix gas and regular motor oil for two stroke engines. I’m assuming not but don’t know why.

 

[aircommuter]

For future reference, that oil doesn't go bad sitting on the shelf. Buy a gallon or two and it'll still be just as good 30 years from now.

There is a lot of controversy over the shelf life of oils. Mainly separation of additive packages.

 

[BlueKnife]

There is a lot of controversy over the shelf life of oils. Mainly separation of additive packages.

I wasn't aware of the controversy. I'm guessing that the idea that old 2 cycle old is better in 2 cycle applications than new motor oil isn't particularly controversial though. This is the internet though. Anything can be controversial.

 

[sd455dan]

Finding snowmobile oil here would be as likely as finding a polar bear.

I would only buy 2 stroke oil approved for AIR cooled engines. Some outboard oil's will run Very hot, in an air cooled 2 stroke. I use Bel Ray MC 1 in my saws and air cooled dirt bike at 45:1 , saws need a very high film strength oil with a higher viscosity than water cooled 2 strokes. I do add some of the water cooled 2 stroke oil to my older diesels for injector lube and of course 2 stroke outboards

 

[aircommuter]

There is similar controversy with engine oils for the same reason. Perhaps manufacturers don’t want it sitting around?
No worries it will all be obsolete soon!

 

[MossRoad]

Keep in mind that two stroke oil for air cooled is different than the oil for liquid cooled engines due to higher heat and rpm. I certainly wouldn’t make a leaner mixture than specified.

This.....

According to manufacturers, you're not supposed to run marine 2-stroke oil in air cooled engines like chainsaws. Marine oil is meant for lower operating temperature water-cooled motors. It's not rated for the higher heat that air cooled 2-stroke engines can generate. It's also not rated for the higher RPMs that chainsaws develop.