In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Old Skidoo 2 Stroke Oil

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by MeanJoe, Aug 15, 2026.

  1. MeanJoe

    MeanJoe

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    Does anyone remember running Skidoo 2 stroke oil in chainsaws? Came in metal cans with a tab on top like a pop can. I have a couple old sealed cans I want to use up. Thought I’d run it through my old 70’s Echos. I mix at 32:1 for them.

    Thoughts?
     
    metalcuttr, T.Jeff Veal and JimBear like this.
  2. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    I seem to remember a couple lengthy discussions about the dangers of running 2 cycle oil designed for water cooled engines in air cooled engines. I would steer clear.
     
  3. MeanJoe

    MeanJoe

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    Interesting! Never thought about that. I’ll look into it. That era some snowmobiles were liquid cooled and some were air cooled.
     
  4. Mrxlh

    Mrxlh

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    Boat oil isn’t the issue in an air cooled engine. It’s the actual oil itself, Treemonkey runs boat oil in saws, zero issues for him. Being that Bombardier spec’d the oil for their power sports equipment it should be fine. Liquid cooled sleds go back a bit, I think as early as 73 for the high end models. Knowing the add packs back in the day weren’t nearly as good as we have now, I’d definitely mix it rich.
     
  5. MeanJoe

    MeanJoe

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    For the old Echo’s I mix at whatever the manual said. Most are 32:1 but the 500 is 20:1! The mosquitoes fly away when that’s running.
     
  6. Mrxlh

    Mrxlh

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    If you’re using old oil, definitely, if you’re using modern oils, 32:1-40:1 is plenty. I run everything I own at 32:1 with Amsoil Dominator. If I ever start milling wood, I’d run that at 25 or 20:1 as long milling cuts generate tons of heat.
     
  7. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    I always mill at 40. Tore the saw down multiple times and it's doing just fine. Some cuts required more than a tank of fuel!
     
  8. MeanJoe

    MeanJoe

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    Great to know! I’ll burn up the gallon of 20:1 I have and then just mix at 32:1 for the old saws and 50:1 for the new ones. I was very surprised when that manual said 20:1, must have been one of the last models that took that much oil!
     
  9. MeanJoe

    MeanJoe

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    Wow! How much oil do you use per tank of fuel when milling?
     
  10. Skier76

    Skier76

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    As odd as it sounds, those may be worth more to a collector vs running them in a saw.
     
  11. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    I mill with my regular mix, 40/1 but with a fat tune.
     
  12. Canadian border VT

    Canadian border VT

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    Well I still have a liquid cooled and air cooled ski doo from 90s and it was same 2 stroke skidoo oil in both sleds and they would still run with some carb tinkering

    I did not mix a ratio then oil in separate containers in engine
     
  13. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Yamaha used the same oil (Yamalube 2S) in both the air and water cooled sleds (among many other machines)...2M is for marine engines.
    I have been running all of my 2 stroke stuff on YL 2S mixed at 32:1 or 40:1 for many years now...but that gallon jug is very near gone now...it'll be RA from here on out.
    Might have to slow the autolube pump on the sled down a bit, depending on how it does at current settings running the RA...but that machine has not moved for WAAAY too long now, so...
     
  14. MeanJoe

    MeanJoe

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    Probably, but almost not worth the hassle since I don’t know anyone that collects it offhand.
     
  15. RCBS

    RCBS

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    $25 to $40 a can on fleabay. Selling both would net enough for a gallon of Red Armor.