What Does Oil- Fuel Ratio Really Mean?

tundraotto · Jan 15, 2002

ok - but read what said before - why thin the manufacturers (saw manufacturers) recommended mix ratio just like i said before. and about the optimol warranty - would you really think they would cover the damage - maybe im a pessimist, but i would bet they would find you some excuse to not do it or not even talk to you and brush you off. eg. try calling bosch for a (if not 100% satisfied - full refund) refund on your spark plugs - youll get an answering machine.....thats the way things work im afraid. on the ratios - remember you are not using synthetic to thin the mix to reduce the oil cost but to get better lubrication - so why would you you use less? epa would love to have us all running 4stroke catalytic converter chainsaws with monthly emissions tests - they hate 2 stroke! and the oil is what produces the emissions!!! they want you to use less of it. just my opinion.

Gypo Logger · Sep 10, 2003

Sometimes less is more. Example: a saw running rich on the H screw is richer than a saw set up properly running 32:1.
Its the settings that cause the emmisions for the most part, not the ratio.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
John

Dolmar_Tech_Mgr · Sep 10, 2003

I have heard the claims of double the warranty against an OIL related failure. In most all cases clyinder and piston failures are never taken to the manulacuter of the OIL but are taken to the manufacuter of the engine. It is very difficult to "Prove" and oil releated failure. Has anyone ever challenged a failure with the oil manufacture that makes the statement that the warranty time it double? I am very curious to hear what the results of such a challenge have been.

Terry

JohnL · Sep 10, 2003

I still don't understand the differrence in the oils, for example, late 70's Homelite manual says run 16:1 standard 2cycle oil, or 32:1 premium homelite oil. Is the premium stuff more concentrated (is that even possible?) or is it just more refined on a molecular level?

Neither oil above is available, what exactly is a 'standard' 2 cycle oil that you would mix at 16:1, or say 10:1 for a really old saw? I guess in that question is another question, who sets the mix ratio that should be used? The saw maker, based on bearing/piston clearances and tuning, or the oil maker, based on lube capability at certain ratios?

There is no way I would run anything as thin as 50:1 in an old saw with any oil, without understanding why it was OK.

Dolmar_Tech_Mgr · Sep 10, 2003

Better quality oils have additives in them that assist in dispersing the oil in the gas. Manufactures use similar statements use 50:1 when using the manufactures oil and 25:1 when using other brands. This is a generic statement that "other" covers the lesser quality oils that dont carry the TC3 grade.

geofore · Sep 10, 2003

Standard/old

The standard for the old saws was a strait 30weight motor oil mixxed 10/1 or 16/1. Two cycle oil was that fancy stuff those guys with boats and motobikes used @ 32/1. Then (1970's) it was 2 cycle for the Motobikes and as I raced bikes the Yahmaha 100/1 synthetic (purple stuff) ran well in the bikes and the saws at 100/1. Today it's 2cycle @ 50/1 with premium gas. Mix it 32/1 to break in the new saws then go to 50/1. IMHO with the new saws, it's who runs the saws (experience) and how they run them (tweaked for RPM and power band) as to how long the saw is going to last.