Straight gassing !

[OM617YOTA]

Well marked can. Oil goes in as soon as it's empty, so it's mixed fuel the instant fuel is added. I've even added oil when I was using it to get fuel for a four stroke engine because that was the only fuel can I had with me. Stuff happens, and I'd rather run a few ounces of two stroke oil through a four stroke than accidentally run straight gas in a two stroke.

I only fuel my engines with my fuel that I mixed, I don't trust anyone else's mix. They might be running a more careful mix than me, but they also might be running a glug or two of a partial quart of marine two cycle oil from 1973 that they got at a garage sale for a nickel. Or no oil at all. At least if I burn down my saw it's on me.

 

[009Legend]

Stuff happens, and I'd rather run a few ounces of two stroke oil through a four stroke than accidentally run straight gas in a two stroke.

You reminded me that another little trick I employ is that the four stroke tin is in a harder place to access than the two stroke tin. I have to consciously move stuff out of the way to get to it. Two stroke tin is just sitting there in plain view, ready to go.

...they also might be running a glug or two of a partial quart of marine two cycle oil from 1973 that they got at a garage sale for a nickel...

That's a good one, and has come up a few times. "Hey, I've got some two stroke oil sitting in the garage from the boat we used to have. I'll use that!"

Ooooooh no, that won't be happening.

 

[Chevboy0167]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1620808831...LR49mcpb7NRRnrVjajCvmf9TY=|tkp:Bk9SR-7hi4nuZA

 

[cscltd]

Having seen units coming that have straight gas in tank but customer could not get started( thankfully I tell them afterwards) . I have always gotten into habit of looking for mix colour when checking for fuel in tank before I start it, and as I pour new fuel in tank (even if I have just mixed it myself)

 

[PV Hiker]

My cans.
.


.
My field cans working on the trails. Not carringbig cans for a 4 to 12 mile hike. Sometimes bring 2 sets of MSR bottles for lots of cutting.
.

 

[cookies]

spend 85 bucks on a husqvarna combi can....never had a issue before but now I have mixed fuel and bar oil ready at all times...to make it even more fool proof I use the screw off cap nozel on the bar oil side and the push to fuel on the other. When working with others mine gets used and their fuel tanks get put up, no confusion and its faster/easier to carry and fuel than dealing with 2 containers. Its also worth mentioning I almost never spill fuel unless a saw gets kicked or picked up with the caps off... I have stored non e mix for over 6 months at a time in it without fuel issues!

 

[Marley5]

My cans.
.
View attachment 1222449View attachment 1222450

.
My field cans working on the trails. Not carringbig cans for a 4 to 12 mile hike. Sometimes bring 2 sets of MSR bottles for lots of cutting.
.
View attachment 1222457View attachment 1222458

4 - 12 mile hike with a saw is a pretty serious days work.
Years ago I did volunteer trail maintenance for local State parks, enjoyable.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

spend 85 bucks on a husqvarna combi can....never had a issue before but now I have mixed fuel and bar oil ready at all times...to make it even more fool proof I use the screw off cap nozel on the bar oil side and the push to fuel on the other. When working with others mine gets used and their fuel tanks get put up, no confusion and its faster/easier to carry and fuel than dealing with 2 containers. Its also worth mentioning I almost never spill fuel unless a saw gets kicked or picked up with the caps off... I have stored non e mix for over 6 months at a time in it without fuel issues!

Showing what your talking about. Did mine same way.

 

[StihlsawuserMS361]

Why not do it intentionally, with say your beater / loaner saw. Put on a sad face, your wife sees you moping. She takes you out for a new one. Buy what you really want, not necessarily what you need . Take her shoe shopping and ice cream afterwards, after the new saw is in your truck. All ends well!

 

[MacAttack]

Why not do it intentionally, with say your beater / loaner saw. Put on a sad face, your wife sees you moping. She takes you out for a new one. Buy what you really want, not necessarily what you need . Take her shoe shopping and ice cream afterwards, after the new saw is in your truck. All ends well!

Because my wife would say "who cares...you have 20 more chainsaws!" Haha

 

[stihltech]

Label can. Period.
And yes, it is more common than you think, especially when lending a saw out. If you lend your saw, make sure YOU are attached to it.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

This happens too. Not as bad a straight gassing one though. But funny when they come in.

 

[guym3]

I feel your pain!! I'm paranoid about avoiding it. Second the thoughts of never trusting anybody else's fuel.
I buy ethanol gas (all we can get in UK), extract the ethanol with water then immediately add it to 1 litre plastic mixing bottles with 2stroke oil in first. I generally do 10 of these at a time. Completely full with no air, the fuel lasts well. These are transparent and obviously bright red. So anything two stroke comes from the small plastic bottles. Great to carry into the woods as very little extra weight. The big green 10litre can is for the 4 stroke lawnmower and kept well away from chainsaws and stored with the mower.

 

[Ed Penney]

A guy I know was doing it all the time. I was fixing his saws for him. He only used straight gas in his log splitter, I put a diesel engine on his splitter. Told him if he puts diesel in his chainsaw I would show him how to clean it out once. He hasn't brought me any seized saws in a while. He has never put gasoline in his F350, LOL.

 

[Franny K]

My method is to only use one gallon "cans" for premix. There is a 1 1/4 gallon no spill one as well however it has a white plastic screen thing in it so the color can be seen unless it is just about empty. I use 2.6 oz bottles (they might hold 4 oz but have a line at 2.6 I estimate 3.0) bring out a full one put beside the empty one gallon can, when done the little bottle is empty and the 1-gallon container is essentially full. I also tie on a tag if there is a likelyhood of having help. I tag the larger gasoline containers as no ethanol if they are. Tags can be removed marker on the can is something else. If in doubt get a mason jar or similar and pour some in. I have Honda brush cutters that use straight gas so they get filled from 2 1/2 containers.

 

[MRCLYDE]

I keep a piece of surveyor's tape tied around the handle of the can (this is one of those fireproof cans with the spring-loaded lid).

I use surveyors' tape with the date on it. I have 5 gal & 2-1/2 gal safety cans, and a few 1&2 gal plastic cans. I pump even one gal increments into them.

Dedicated mix cans. Don't fill them if you don't put oil in them first.

I do the same, oil first then gas. If there is gas in the can , it has oil in it too.

I have a dedicated 1 gallon can for all my 2-stroke saws etc,

I have several dedicated cans for mix, 1 & 2 gal, they get spread out for different jobs and equipment. All cans are labeled with mix ratio.

TruFuel or VP or Motomix comes in handy. Easy to make sure you don't straight gas if you never fill from a can.

Baily's sent me 4 qt. cans of VP 50:1 with an order once as some kind of promotion. I used to use it in saws when in storage for easy start up.

When the cans are empty I give them a squirt of red paint and fill them with my own mix. Good for saws in dedicated boxes on trucks or machines.

VP is available in 5 gal metal cans like LL Race Fuel, it's not cheap but it has a good shelf life. 1&2 qt. cans work for me, 1 or 2 /year, is all I need.

I usually get 20 gal. at a time because it's a 40 mile ride across 1 state line and 2 county lines. I pump a few gals. into the truck before I fill the cans.

I haven't had any fuel related repairs since I started doing this about 20 years ago. I got a batch of contaminated fuel once, so now it transfer it to a clear container to check for water and debris before I mix it.

 

[OM617YOTA]

I've unintentionally run 16:1 more than once. Using MX2T with no dye, couldn't remember or tell if I'd added oil already, and 16:1 is a whole lot better than 128:0.

 

[Del_]

I exclusively use this 5 quart gas can for all of my two stroke mixed 90 octane non ethanol fuel. Oil is added first, then gasoline. Five quarts works out well as I refill when empty or when I'm down to less than a quart. The screw in the can vent hole is usually all the way in and removed when filling a saw. The cap on the spout is 1/2 pvc. I don't use any other cans that look like this one.





Here's how I carry it around. Keeps can upright. Holds chain tool, paint brush for cleaning up saw fill cap area, bar oil, plastic wedge for keeping kerf open and small splitting maul for driving the wedge.
I may in the future go to one quart gear oil type bottles but the one gallon bar oil container keeps the gas can stable in the milk crate.

 

[MRCLYDE]

I exclusively use this 5 quart gas can for all of my two stroke mixed 90 octane non ethanol fuel.

I have a can that looks identical to yours except an empty 12 gauge hull covers the spout and the vent cap has been replaced with one from a small shampoo bottle. I can pour out of it to fill any saw without spilling a drop.

I keep my oil jug tethered to it with a piece of 1-1/2" webbing. In the middle of the web strap I cinched a chip brush on with about 18" of braided nylon line.

I can grab the strap by the middle with one hand and the saw in the other, or drape the gas an oil over my shoulder.

I use a rectangular milk crates for gas oil and tools because they fit modularly in my truck bed.

It's hard to believe that I could figure all this out in less than 50 years.

 

[Burning man]

This topic comes up often around here where wood is still a primary heat source.
Just this year,
My youngest brother straight gassed a Stihl 036 and last month my best friend who is 67 and a great mechanic straight gassed a brand new MS 250, very 1st tank of fuel and warranty was denied.

How do we avoid this common mistake. ?
#1 it's a substantial hit on the wallet.

I've been fortunate enough to not experience this but feel bad for those that have.
Perhaps a little more awareness and organization. Idk

1 label cans or have a dedicated can because your saw gas won't hurt your mower but mower gas will hurt your saw .
2 if youre unsure of how much oil is in it even though it looks right add a little bit more.
3 always give it a good shake .