How good is Chevron TC-W3 mix?

[smokechase II]

The DOC program locally has been using Chevron TC-W3 mix out of a 55 gallon mix.

Anyone have any recommendations with regard to this mix?

Is Shindaiwa mix made in the same factory as Stihl?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Austin1]

The DOC program locally has been using Chevron TC-W3 mix out of a 55 gallon mix.

Anyone have any recommendations with regard to this mix?

Is Shindaiwa mix made in the same factory as Stihl?

Thanks for any help.

Don't use it in a saw! The W stands for water cooled ie outboard motors. It is designed for motors that run much cooler than a saw. I have a litre at home and it clearly say's that on the label For all outboard and some snowmobile applications don't use in air cooled motors.
As for who makes what can't help with that one.

 

[smokechase II]

conflicting information

One web site says:
( http://www.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterialText.asp?bassnum=WCHEV037 )
"Applications
Chevron 2-Cycle Oil TC-W3 is recommended as a premium lubricant for use in two-stroke engines where the latest TC-W3 or earlier general purpose lubricants are recommended. There applications include outboard engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, lawn mowers, scooters, golf carts, chain saws, and other two-stroke powered equipments.

Chevron 2-Cylce Oil TC-W3 is well suited for engines using oil injection systems with fuel/oil mixture ratios of up to 150:1.

Chevron 2-cycle Oil TC W3 has excellent low temperature mixing characteristics that make It very suitable for use in cold climate conditions."

*******************

another web site lists:
"Oil, Gas Engine 2-Cycle (Outboard & Chain Saw), QT,
Plastic Bottles
Quarts Per Case: 12
Brand: Chevron
Product #: 2 Cycle TC-W3"


But I'm still wanting to stop using this stuff.

 

[Lakeside53]

It's your saw.. but I sure wouldn't run it. Every saw I work on that has been run on some form of outboard motor oil is badly gummed up, and some are dead.

 

[Timberhauler]

I've never tried outboard oil in a saw,but once on the way to a race when I stopped to get gas for my bike,I realized that my dumb-ass had left the two stroke oil at home.There was a bait shop on the way to the track that had outboard 2 cycle oil so I bought a bottle and used it for just that one race...I did notice an excess amount of "drool" from the vent hose on the cylinder and on the end of the muffler..So I never did it again.

 

[smokechase II]

outboard mix

They're not my saws.

I'm trying to come up with literature, preferably from the manufacturer that says not to use in chain saws. The Chevron site didn't have anything I could find.

I'll clean off the drum top and read what it says.
If it has something like Austin1 describes, Hooraay!

They are having a lot of saws blow up. 11 in the first four weeks.
You're probably going, who needs literature after that?

I don't think that's the case.
6 of the saws were by three inmate operators and they're gone. Many of these guys are learning or very abusive. They have a thing called the "Stihl Fan" where they just hold a saw up and cut air like Gypo in the video.

They put their best sawyers on newer DOC 440 Mags and of those 16 saws no problems at all.
The other saws that have been blowing up are pieced together hand me down scraps from the Forest Service.

One of their mechanics put together a saw that was a 044 bottom, 056 top, 038 muffler with homemade bracket and I can't remember where the carb was from. With only new rings he got 145 pounds of compression and it sounds and cuts fabulous. (Had to shave a little off the piston interior and use extra gasket for clearance.)

I just ordered Stihl mix in the 12.8 ounce size and the 5 gallon Shindaiwa mix. The local Stihl dealer told me that it comes from the exact same factory that the Stihl mix comes from, it is cheaper and since the distributor is near Portland we get it quicker on the West Coast.

So unless I get some info on the Shindaiwa mix being questionable.......

 

[bwalker]

Mnay outboard oil MFG claim that their oils are ok for use in air cooled engines and they are in certain applications like pumps, ice augers, lawnboy's and Toro snowblowers.
With that said not one chainsaw or OPE MFG reccomends the use of TCW3 type oils. All spec either a API TC, JASO FC or a ISOEGD.

 

[ray benson]

This is out of a Stihl MS440 instruction manual. Checked the manuals on the 361, 460, 650, 660 - they use the exact same wording.
Do not use BIA or TCW rated (two-stroke water cooled) mix oils or other mix oils that state they are for use in both water cooled and air cooled engines (e.g., outboard motors, snowmobiles, chain saws, mopeds, etc.).

 

[Austin1]

I think they add the snowmobile part because it will be -30 outside. I just looked at my Jred owners manual and it also says not to use tcw-3 oil in it.But my boat say's the opposite!

 

[Steve128]

One web site says:
( http://www.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterialText.asp?bassnum=WCHEV037 )
"Applications
Chevron 2-Cycle Oil TC-W3 is recommended as a premium lubricant for use in two-stroke engines where the latest TC-W3 or earlier general purpose lubricants are recommended. There applications include outboard engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, lawn mowers, scooters, golf carts, chain saws, and other two-stroke powered equipments.

Chevron 2-Cylce Oil TC-W3 is well suited for engines using oil injection systems with fuel/oil mixture ratios of up to 150:1.

Chevron 2-cycle Oil TC W3 has excellent low temperature mixing characteristics that make It very suitable for use in cold climate conditions."

*******************

another web site lists:
"Oil, Gas Engine 2-Cycle (Outboard & Chain Saw), QT,
Plastic Bottles
Quarts Per Case: 12
Brand: Chevron
Product #: 2 Cycle TC-W3"


But I'm still wanting to stop using this stuff.

None of my operating manuals for the saws I own recommend TCW III or general purpose oil. You emphasized "chain saws" but the key (issue) is does your operators manual "recommend" this type of oil.

 

[16gauge]

Look for TC-502

The DOC program locally has been using Chevron TC-W3 mix out of a 55 gallon mix.

Anyone have any recommendations with regard to this mix?

Is Shindaiwa mix made in the same factory as Stihl?

Thanks for any help.

Last time I looked TC-W3 was for water cooled and TC-502 was for air cooled. My nephew used outboard oil in his Stihl and when I serviced it in his garage I swiped the outboard oil and replaced it with Echo 50:1.

Personally, I would not take the risk. I use oil recommended by the manufacturer and mix at 42:1 in everthing air cooled. It gets pretty hot here in the desert. Don't know about snowmobiles though.

 

[bwalker]

In my mind the oil reccomendations of the MFG trump that of the oil company.
There was a time, years ago that some MFG's reccomended TCW3 oils wfor a variety of air and liquid cooled applications. Almost universaly they stopped doing this because of issues.
One example of this was the snowmobile industry. Most of the MFG's called for tcw3 type oils, whent he TCW3 standard first came out. After a few years of field expierance they came to the conclusion that these type of oils where less than adequate.

 

[16:1mix]

Interesting thread!

People seem to get indoctrinated about oils....to wit: A customer recently came to me asking about our 'best' non detergent oil for his 4 cycle lawn mower engine!

Sheesh - decades behind the oil curve!

 

[smokechase II]

Thanks

All the input is appreciated.
I will print this thread out.

Take it to a meeting on Monday.

 

[wanderer]

Sounds like you're asking for trouble, giving chainsaws to inmates :greenchainsaw:

 

[smokechase II]

Inmates

I think it is a great idea. (Only about a 1/3rd run saws)
We've had it here for 14 camps (7-10 weeks/camp) over 9 years.
{Many states have inmate fire crews.}

The state of Oregon is fairly progressive and this program is tough and productive.

We can't pile the slash anywhere as cheap as DOC. Either with our folks or contractors.

This specific program is mandated by Congress and their direction is essentially for "the betterment of humanity".

These guys are going to be our neighbors in a few months. Better to give them some skills and treat them with respect for their accomplishments now. I call it a 1/4 way house.

They have to give up some things to be here. It is a 60 hour work week instead of 40 back at the regular facilities. No phone access. No visits. They give those things up to be in a National Forest.

State Inmates in Oregon are not allowed tobacco so many spend so much time getting some nicotine, (sniping cig butts) they don't have time for harder drugs. (Oregon state inmates, on the random drug tests, check out with usually the least amount of crap in their bodies nationally.)

They are fed decently here. Similar to a fire camp diet without the variety.

You don't have to respect them for judgment, but I would ask that if you ever met a convicted felon that completed one of our camps you consider that their work ethic is superior.

 

[Lakeside53]

well said!

 

[Steve128]

smokechase II

+2

It is so easy to beat up on people who make mistakes. Glad people like you can take a measured view of the situation. Working to give people skills and experience in order for them to be able to support themselves is very noteworthy.

 

[wanderer]

I was joking but it just sounds kind of weird to give chainsaws to inmates. I'm all for rehabilitation and giving them skills that can be used in the real world instead of locking them in a cell all day.