the mix thread

Some think that less oil in the mix will improve performance.
The oil in the mix, is the only lubricant the internal moving parts get, (gasoline is dry & has no lubricating qualities).


Now 5% or 10% oil mix will smoke & lower performance, but
32 : 1 probably won't be noticeable.

With some of the new formulated 2 cycle synthetic oils.
The new oils don't burn at the low temperatures like the older petroleum based oils do. Many of use remember
the older saws with 30 weight oil mix,
smoked a little all the time, it was considered normal.

Smokeless oil, means it's not burning inside the combustion chamber.

So if your saw don't normally smoke with the mix, then you notice it starting to smoke,
it's running hotter than it should be, & is burning the 2 cycle oil.
Time to let it cool & find the reason, (dirty/plugged air filter maybe )

 

We can thank the EPA for a lot of headaches we face day to day. Ventless gas cans, low oil mix, and the list goes on.

I'm a believer in a little extra oil is a good thing. I mix about like bogydave does .9 or .95 gallon of fuel to 2.6oz of oil. Currently running the Stihl HP mix because of the extended warranty. Now a note on fuel and octane. My manual for the MS261 recommends 89 octane. I am lucky to have a few stations within 25 miles of me that have ethanol free fuel in all grades. If it were not available I would and do use startron http://mystarbrite.com/startron/

 

True... and I like coming home after a day of cutting and not stinking of 2 stroke exhaust.

I remember riding an old 74 Ski-Doo as a kid and my snow pants and coat would stink for days. It would fume out the house enough my Mom made us keep it all in the basement.

I doubt that 40:1 would be really noticeable, but more oil than that I'm not sure?

I mix my saw gas 5 gals at a time. 1 gal would have me running to the gas station almost daily while cutting.

 

I mix in a 1 gal can from a 6 gal gas can, put the oil into a 2.6 bottle to measure and put in about .8 gal of gas, if screw up and put more gas than I wanted , I will add a little more oil, I don't worry about to much oil, I do worry about to much gas

 

I mix mine 5gal at a time too for the 32:1.

The 1gal can for cocktail mix for gtg's only in past. Then flush can. Now it is used to carry for small jobs where I think 1 tank isnt enough.
1gal can is filled from the 5gal can. Also a couple of 2.5gal cans I use from the 5gal too. That way I just carry what I feel is needed.

 

I usually mix 2 gallons at a time or sometimes 5 if I know I'll be doing lots of cutting. I can run through a couple gallons in 3 hours milling.

 

Do the saw manufacturers recommend the same mix throughout their lineup? Do they change the recommendations depending on how "professional" or "home owner" the saw is considered? Just curious.

PS. I always go a tad heavier on the oil than recommended. I don't put a ton of hours on my equipment so it probably doesn't matter what I do ......

 

As far as i know stihl is all 50:1.....but im gonna start puttn a little more oil in my mix...

 

Octane additive slows detonation & the gasoline burns a little cooler & slower, (less violent )Higher octane, slower the ignition,
( in micro seconds ) A timing issue for when the fuel will explode.

Minimal effect the performance in a 2 cycle.

Many/most brand name 2 cycle oils have fuel stabilizer in them.
Not sure about Amsoil ?

 

Actually in other countries the 660 and 880 are recommended to run 25:1 even with stihl oil.

 

.I use 40:1 in everything including the vintage Mac's. Most all of my factory literature from the late 60's - late 70's calls for it.

 

Ran a gallon of the Lucas mix today...
Nuthin' blew up...
Winning!!!

 

Just don't let all the smoke out of the engine and you should be alright..

 

I'm no expert, but all this conflicts with my understanding of what goes on. I have assumed that, much like the output of our chimneys, smoke from the exhaust is evidence of the oil *not* burning, while the absence of smoke indicates complete combustion. This idea that smoke from the exhaust means that the engine is running too hot seems... well, totally wrong.