skip to main content

2 Cycle Oil Mix Questions

16 years ago

I have read of folks using one mix for their various 2 cycle engine equipment with good results.

With the idea in mind of erroring on side of too much oil in the mix is better than too little.

I have a Stihl Trimmer that uses 50:1 mix. I have just bought a Poulan Pro Pruner that uses a 40:1 mix.

Last summer I tried 40:1 in the Stihl, but the exhaust dripped some oil from it. Not a lot, but enough to wipe-up with a finger. I changed to 50:1 and the oil on the exhaust went away.

I read that because the Poulan"s were jetted so lean that it is a good idea to use 32:1 in stead of 40:1. I trie this and thought the pruner runs great, I am getting the same slight dripping of oil.

Anyone running a more richer oil mix like I am doing above? Aside from the potential of the exhaust ports clogging a bit sooner and a bit more smoke, is the oil on the exhaust going to be a problem?

I trust the Stihl is going to be ok at 50:1, but I am a little concerned about the Poulan and want to be sure it is getting enough oil in the crankcase.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Bill

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

giventake
16 years ago
The oil that is formulated @50-1 clearly states on the bottle that it works in ALL 2 cycle engines. If your going to use the older type oils, follow the recommended mix from manf.
nevada_walrus
16 years ago
Virtually all modern equipment companies have their own branded oil and its going to be 50/1. These companies also say their older engines are perfectly safe on 50/1 when using modern 2 stroke oil labeled for 50/1. Modern oil is so much superior to the older oils that the practice of mixing 50/1 is proper.

The only engines where this may not apply would be the very old units, say 30 years or older that were designed and jetted to run on automotive 4 stroke oil. These were designed to be 25/1 or thicker. Because the jetting and clearances were designed for 4 stroke oil, days prior to 2 stroke oil being available, those older 2 strokers may have issues with 50/1. Otehrwise, unless you have one of those very old engines you should be perfectly safe using 50/1 when using 50/1 stroke oil that is specifically designed for outdoor power equipment. This does not mean you can use all purpose 50/1, anything listed as good for water cooled engines such as outboards or liquid cooled motorcycles is not outdoor equipment specific.
Related Discussions
Stihl Oil For Lawn Boy 2 Cycle
Q
Comments (4)
I have 2 stihl products that require their 50:1 mix. I always use the HP Ultra (fully synthetic). I have also run this mix in my duraforce and F engined lawnboys with no problems. You should be fine.
...See More
Are you suppose to have oil left inside a 2 cycle engine?
Q
Comments (37)
Well its not big enough to have everything but Henderson [between here and Vegas] does have everything and is only 15 minutes away. Vegas only another 15 minutes. Real estate hype? New home sales are way down as they are across the country. Apparently its worse here on the average but they say Vegas stands to recover quicker then most due to all the new jobs being created with new Hotel/Casino's being built. Of course another 911 could once again put the gaming industry in the pooper as it did on 911 because folks were afraid to travel. Took a couple of years to climb out of it last time. Yeah, spending decades doing something you don't like is a real bummer. I stumbled into this after doing many other things and found I liked repairing stuff. I would advise others starting out to find what they like and then find an outlet that has all the benefits including retirement though. Its tough in this business to find that and I wasn't smart enough to do it. They're out there though but you have to play the game and may take a while to get in. I woke up to it too late. Government based is the way to go in this business. The school district is the # one source around here. They pay as well as any private business and have all the benefits. Just some advise for newbies to the business to heed.
...See More
2 cycle mix
Q
Comments (9)
Wake: Marine Grade Oil is different than Air Cooled 2-Stroke Engine Oil today . The TC-W3 Rating of Marine Grade Oil is the minimium service specification I always ensured for my Outboard usage . I however never recommend outboard oil for air cooled usage . The Temperature Variances and Extremes are in my opinion to severe for lawnmower or Tiller or Chainsaw or Weed-Eater Applications. Not to say that in an emergency situation that you could not perhaps use your outboard oil in your chainsaw or weed-eater for a quick usage situation. I just would not feel comfortable routinely using Marine Oil for other Air-Cooled applications. I would use it perhaps in Snowmobile or 2-Stroke Snow-blower use where the Temperature variance is less severe . Just my thoughts . I know there are other Oil Guru's onsite that follow the newest trends in Oil Specifcation's who can probably clarify further .
...See More
Lawn Boy and Synthetic 2-cycle oil
Q
Comments (4)
Could it have been the safety brake against the flywheel? I have never seen "Home Depot" brand oil but I would doubt that caused the problem. Cheap oil will get you in the long term. Not to say you don't have a problem but even Super Oil may just have delayed the inevitable.
...See More

Related Stories

GREEN BUILDING Considering Concrete Floors? 3 Green-Minded Questions to Ask

By Melanie Loftus

Learn what’s in your concrete and about sustainability to make a healthy choice for your home and the earth

GREEN DECORATING 8 Questions to Help You See Through Green Hype

By Laura Gaskill

With the ecofriendly bandwagon picking up some dubious passengers, here's how to tell truly green products and services from the imposters

KITCHEN DESIGN New This Week: 2 Kitchens That Show How to Mix Materials

By Mitchell Parker

See how these kitchens combine textures, colors and materials into a harmonious whole

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Question That Can Make You Love Your Home More

By Laura Gaskill

Change your relationship with your house for the better by focusing on the answer to something designers often ask

LIGHTING 5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want

DOORS 5 Questions to Ask Before Installing a Barn Door

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Find out whether that barn door you love is the right solution for your space

REMODELING GUIDES 9 Hard Questions to Ask When Shopping for Stone

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn all about stone sizes, cracks, color issues and more so problems don't chip away at your design happiness later

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Mix Metal Finishes in the Kitchen

By Rachel Grace

Leave matchy-matchy to the catalogs and let your kitchen's personality shine with a mix of metals for hardware and fixtures

APARTMENTS My Houzz: High Style and Discount Finds Mix in a San Francisco Rental

By Shannon Malone

With combined styles, an elegant palette and a stellar bay view, this hilltop apartment is a vision of loveliness

Sponsored

More Discussions

How long to grind each chainsaw link while sharpening?

12

drain valve for fuel

1

Chain saw won't run... battery problem for SURE?

11

Wood chipper/grinder you can recommend?

1

How to Destroy a Root Under a Shed?

8