Question on gas Mix

[Chris611]

I'm new to this forum and have found a lot of useful information especially when I was shopping for a used chainsaw. I would find models and then check on this site to see what people said about them. I settled on a 031 AV Stihl off eBay. It looks to be in good shape for the age. I have a question on the gas mix. The manual says to use SAE 30 wt oil at a ratio of 25:1. I have a stihl weed eater and use the 50:1 bottles of 2 cycle mix. Can I use the 50:1 oil in the chainsaw? I searched this site and found some discussions on 16:1, 25:1 and 50:1 etc, but didn't find a definitive (sp) answer on if I can use the 2 cycle oil or if I have to use the SAE 30 wt. Thanks in advance.

Chris

 

[Lawn Masters]

You just done opened a HUGE can of worms. Personally, I'd use 40:1 mix, but I think 50:1 would work just fine for that saw.

 

[Lobo]

Geez, again!

If it were my saw I would be using Amsoil Sabre synthetic 2 cycle oil in it, seing its not my saw then use Stihl, Echo, Tanaka or other 2 cycle oil mixed at 32:1 to 40:1.

If you can get Mobil MX2T synthetic 2 cycle in your area use that its one of the best available out there.

Good luck

 

[Al Smith]

Oh ,pulleeze don't start the oil mix wars again. :angel:

 

[Chris611]

Sorry guys, didn't mean to star a war I really just wanted to make sure that I could use the 2 cycle oil and didn't have to stick with the SAE 30 wt oil. I hadn't ever heard of using 30 wt oil. I've always used pre-mix oil.

Thanks
Chris

 

[2Coilinveins]

Chris-

Just get yourself a quart of motor oil, don't matter about any of that weight stuff because it's gonna get diluted anyway, dump it in whatever gas can or empty gallon milk jug or bar oil jug you got laying around, and fill it to the brim with the old gas you drained out of your tractor or riding lawnmower from two years back, do you just fine, heck, don't even bother shaking it up.

Seriously, premix oil will be just fine. I use MX2T like Lobo mentioned @ 32:1 with premium gas in all my 2 stroke equipment(including a Mac 795 that originally called for 20:1 with SAE 30wt) with no trouble at all.

 

[Al Smith]

No wars in sight

That was just a little pun,on my part,sorry.Actually some of the older saws give the mix ratio using both motor oil as a base,plus mix oil.An example would be McCulloch,for some of the older saws gives a 16 to 1 ratio using motor oil,and 40 to 1 using the McCulloch branded oil.There is,and always will be a contoversy about ratios,being 32,to as high as 100 to 1.My preferance is toward the heavier mix,but,then again,it's just my preferance,not a rule of thumb.

 

[Fireaxman]

It's a Good Question

This from "Hobby Climber" in another thread, but I sure like it.

"A lot has gone on (here) in the recent past for what ever the reason but as far as I'm concerned, its just that...in the past! I would like to know just what the newer members (or less experienced climbers) want to learn about here at AS.com . There are a lot of lurkers out there viewing in silent with lots of questions they'ed like to ask so ...what cha waiting for??? Join up, introduce yourself, maybe a little background, and tell us what topics you would like us to talk about to improve your skills and knowledge level. No such thing as a dumb question you know! There is a lot of knowledge you can tap into from the AS.com membership , all you have to do is ask. So who's going to be first to ??? Don't be shy, your among friends! HC"

Please be patient with us, men, it's an important question for those of us who have not been watching this web site for as long as many of you. I also need to know. I have 2 Homeys that want 32:1 and 2 STIHL that want 50:1. I hate to carry 2 cans of gas into the woods, and of course there is always the chance of getting them mixed up. 40:1 sounds like a good compromise, but can the STIHL stand it without fouling plugs and exhaust? I think I'll gut the muffler on the STIHL saws and run 40:1.

Chris611, like you probably did, I ran a search on "Fuel Oil Mix" and found a tremendous amount of really good information. "Information Overload" and a lot of time to read it all. How old was the manual you were reading? I wonder if they just recomended 30wt because 2 stroke oil might not have been readily available. I'm sure not going to run 30 wt. Been there, done that, got the scoured cylinder.

"No stupid questions" ?

 

[Stumper]

I run 32/1 in everything. Using 2-cycle mix oil will always be advisable over using 30 wt motor oil. 2 things happened in the long ago-1. 2-cycle oil was marketed in 2 grades-30 wt and 40 wt and 2. Manufacturers did give mix ratios using standard motor oil. When the switch was made (a LONG time ago) to prediluted oils the ratios didn't change. The oil folks put in sufficient "bright stock" (the good slippery stuff) with solvents/light oil to make it thin and easily mixed into the fuel. Many saw makers have continued to provide info for using motor oil when special 2-cycle oils are unavailable. The manual for my Husky 268xp recommends 40/1 but then has a note that in countries where 2 cycle oil is unavailable 30 wt at 25/1 may be used but engine life may be reduced.

 

[bwalker]

I have several 1960's vintage two cycle, Wajax brand fires pumps with Bombardier engines that spec a mix of 16:1. I have been using 32:1 in them for several years with good results.
If it where me I wouldnt hessitate to use a 32:1 mix in the older engines that speced ultra rich oil ratios.
FWIW oil doesnt foul plugs. Operating conditions that are not in snyc with the carb settings do. Many racing Kart motors run smoke free at 16:1 and never foul plugs so I think the poster will be just fine using 32:1 in his Stihl provided it is properly tuned....

 

[Pioneer]

Ditto on what the other guys are saying, I have an old Pioneer 620 that recommends 16 to 1 with 30 weight; I run a generic chainsaw 2-stroke oil at 32-1 and it likes it fine.

 

[bvaught]

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop? The world will never know.

 

[Fireaxman]

Carbon

FWIW oil doesnt foul plugs. Operating conditions that are not in snyc with the carb settings do. Many racing Kart motors run smoke free at 16:1 and never foul plugs so I think the poster will be just fine using 32:1 in his Stihl provided it is properly tuned....

Good to know, and very reassuring. I have chipped rock hard carbon out of many of my 2 strokes, from an old 250 Suzuki Motor cycle to my outboards to every weedeater and blower I ever owned. It seems to be a common problem (re:"Exhaust Port Carbon Removal:Best Way? thread this site). I was blaming it at least partly on the oil, maybe unfairly. I started burning only Premium fuel in them after I scored the cylinder on a 175 Evinrude, and I do seem to be having better luck.

By the way, good info in the "Exhaust Port Carbon Removal" thread if you are interested, both on how to remove the carbon and also on how to prevent it.

OK. 32:1. I think I am more concerned about maintaining the old saws than I am worried about the new one, from what I have learned in this thread. Thanks for the advice.

Don't know about "How many licks" but I'll try to remember to count next time.

 

[rubberducky]

I would probably use about a 40-45:1 mix, but 50:1 should be fine.

 

[bvaught]

My tootsie roll pop comment was aimed as an analogy to the oil mix ratio debate.

 

[tony marks]

yep i think we got it.. in short 50-1 will do.. but in modified an pro saws getting used everyday.. i think you better off with a 32-1 mix synthetic.. im really getting long wear out of cheap craftsman trimmers that i use because the sell a good 25 cc motor and they are lite enuff to one hand.. been using that trimmer for yrs for lite trimming. use to be about 2 yrs was the life expectancy on 50-1 stihl etc oil. havnt had one to fail since i went to 32 -1 mx2tand 03 octane, and im thinking that confirms its worth using it.