Oil & Fuel FULL SYNTHETIC 2-cycle engine oil in Stihl MS-261 chainsaw?

[jeff9366]

I have one 2-cycle engine, a Stihl MS-261 chainsaw, the smallest saw in Stihl's professional grade offering.

Per instruction, I use (Chevron) 87-octane mid-premium gasoline in this saw. Gasoline contains 10% ethanol in Florida.

Until yesterday I have used Supertech (standard) 2-cycle engine oil, mixed 50:1. Cost $1.64 for 6.4 ounces.

One gallon of chainsaw mix lasts me three weeks.

Yesterday purchased Supertech FULL SYNTHETIC 2-cycle engine oil. Cost $2.64 for 6.4 ounces.

Should I maintain 50:1 gasoline : oil ratio?
Generic directions on Supertech container say: "Always follow manufacture's recommended mix ratios for optimum performance and protection." Stihl offers no guidance for FULL SYNTHETIC oil in 2012 edition of MS-261 Owner's Manual.

I buy chainsaw gasoline one gallon at a time. 50:1 ratio is 2.5 ounces of 2-cyle oil per gallon of gas, so a 6.2 ounce container mixes 2-1/2 gallons of chainsaw gas.

Will I notice a performance or longevity improvement for my extra $1.00 per container of FULL SYNTHETIC 2-cycle engine oil?

Other considerations?

I operate in Florida. No cold temperatures.

 

[ericm979]

Re: FULL SYNTHETIC 2-cycke engine oil in Stihl MS-261 chainsaw?

I've used synthetic oil in all my two stroke motorcycles (street, road race, off road) and equipment like chain saws for 30 years. I've had zero problems due to oil failure. Every engine I've torn down has looked good- it's always been something else that broke, not an oil related problem. Two strokes are highly stressed and the small amount of oil gets worked hard. Synthetic is more stable than dinosaur oil under high temperatures.

Use the same ratio. Basically you should use as much oil as you can while maintaining good running characteristics. I used 32:1 or more oil for road racing and general off road riding. For observed trials which stresses the engine less but requires there be no loading up ever, 50:1 for air cooled and 70:1 for water cooled bikes. I run my saws and other two stroke equipment at the manufacturer recommended 50:1.

I'm still working through my last gallon of the Redline synthetic I ran in my trials bikes. Oil is cheaper in bulk than in the small bottles. I use a ratio-rite to measure out the oil and rinse it out with gas then pour that into the can to get all the oil I measured into the gas. There'll be no performance difference. Some synthetics make the exhaust smell better than regular oil, some make it smell worse. I stopped using Motul in my trials bikes because other competitors complained about the smell.

 

[jeff9366]

ERICM: Thank you. I speculated MS-261 idle might increase radically with full synthetic oil/gas mix. Reassuring.

 

[SSdoxie]

Majority of my 2 cycle fuel use is with the boat, pre-mixed @ 50:1, no oil injection. I use Mercury Quicksilver full synthetic and use this same in chainsaws, weed eater, and leave blower. I try to keep a gallon mixed @ 40:1 on hand as the chainsaws and other tools vary from 32 - 50:1 ratio. Many times over the years I have run out in middle of a job and gas out of the boat using that without adding any extra oil and had no problems to date. I have access to non-ethanol and use it most of the time but keep a bottle of marine ethanol on had to use when I don't pay the extra $ for non-ethanol.

 

[Ford850]

I've used the Stihl HP Ultra full synthetic oil for years. I think it is cleaner burning, especially noticeable in my blower. I used to mix with 89-octane, but have recently found a station selling 90-octane which is ethanol free.

 

[jeff9366]

I've used the Stihl HP Ultra full synthetic oil for years. I think it is cleaner burning, especially noticeable in my blower. I used to mix with 89-octane, but have recently found a station selling 90-octane which is ethanol free.

Does Stihl recommend you mix the Stihl HP Ultra full synthetic oil 50 : 1 ?

 

[Ford850]

Yes, their regular and synthetic oils are both mixed 50:1.

How To Mix Oil & Gas Guide | 5 to 1 Gas Oil Ratio Mixture Chart | STIHL USA

 

[Bird]

Does Stihl recommend you mix the Stihl HP Ultra full synthetic oil 50 : 1 ?

And that's what I'm using in my Mantis tiller.

 

[Clay45]

Majority of my 2 cycle fuel use is with the boat, pre-mixed @ 50:1, no oil injection. I use Mercury Quicksilver full synthetic and use this same in chainsaws, weed eater, and leave blower. I try to keep a gallon mixed @ 40:1 on hand as the chainsaws and other tools vary from 32 - 50:1 ratio. Many times over the years I have run out in middle of a job and gas out of the boat using that without adding any extra oil and had no problems to date. I have access to non-ethanol and use it most of the time but keep a bottle of marine ethanol on had to use when I don't pay the extra $ for non-ethanol.

I did the same thing because when it first came out that was the first "ashless oil". But later formulations were made for two-cycle Air cool engines (TCA} and two-cycle water cooled TCW engines.

 

[jeff9366]

Yes, their regular and synthetic oils are both mixed 50:1.

How To Mix Oil & Gas Guide | 5 to 1 Gas Oil Ratio Mixture Chart | STIHL USA

Thank you.

 

[SteveM70]

I have heard that you can't go back once you use synthetic oil in an engine. Would this hold true for a two stroke also?

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I use a slightly heavier mix, around 45:1, can't remember if i bought synthetic last time, I found my saws ran better on the homelite oil than they did on the Stihl oil I had, I ended up mixing the two bottles together.

I wouldn't see why synthetic and regular oil would be any diff on mixtures, it's not like I add less full synthetic oil in my car, it's the same amount.

I always buy premium gas only because it takes a lot of cutting to burn even two gallons, my MS-660 is a bit more thirsty than my Husqvarna saws but the 192 tc and the 660 is the only two saws I carry now. I gave away my Husqvarna 262xp.

If you don't have a little saw like the 192 tc pick one up, I use it for anything under 8-10inches. It's great.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I have a couple grand tied up on Stihl saws them add up the blower and weed eater. I buy the 2.5 gallon oil mix in the gray bottle. Put that with 2 gallons of super unleaded. Never had any issues. These saws can sit for several months at a time and they alway start. Blower was bought new in '09 with weed eater. All original. I love my stihl stuff

Brett

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I have a couple grand tied up on Stihl saws them add up the blower and weed eater. I buy the 2.5 gallon oil mix in the gray bottle. Put that with 2 gallons of super unleaded. Never had any issues. These saws can sit for several months at a time and they alway start. Blower was bought new in '09 with weed eater. All original. I love my stihl stuff

Brett

What weed eater do you have? I was thinking about buying one this year. I saw a Stihl weed eater in rural king but it looked pretty flimsy, they only wanted $160 for it though.

 

[cat fever]

I have a couple grand tied up on Stihl saws them add up the blower and weed eater. I buy the 2.5 gallon oil mix in the gray bottle. Put that with 2 gallons of super unleaded. Never had any issues. These saws can sit for several months at a time and they alway start. Blower was bought new in '09 with weed eater. All original. I love my stihl stuff

Brett

I also have Stihl chainsaw, blower and weed eater. Very happy with every one.

 

[Silvic]

I have one 2-cycle engine, a Stihl MS-261 chainsaw, the smallest saw in Stihl's professional grade offering.

Per instruction, I use (Chevron) 87-octane mid-premium gasoline in this saw. Gasoline contains 10% ethanol in Florida.

Until yesterday I have used Supertech (standard) 2-cycle engine oil, mixed 50:1. Cost $1.64 for 6.4 ounces.

One gallon of chainsaw mix lasts me three weeks.

Yesterday purchased Supertech FULL SYNTHETIC 2-cycle engine oil. Cost $2.64 for 6.4 ounces.

Should I maintain 50:1 gasoline : oil ratio?
Generic directions on Supertech container say: "Always follow manufacture's recommended mix ratios for optimum performance and protection." Stihl offers no guidance for FULL SYNTHETIC oil in 2012 edition of MS-261 Owner's Manual.

I buy chainsaw gasoline one gallon at a time. 50:1 ratio is 2.5 ounces of 2-cyle oil per gallon of gas, so a 6.2 ounce container mixes 2-1/2 gallons of chainsaw gas.

Will I notice a performance or longevity improvement for my extra $1.00 per container of FULL SYNTHETIC 2-cycle engine oil?

Other considerations?

I operate in Florida. No cold temperatures.

I have a lot of Stihl equipment between chain saws and brush cutters. None of the manuals say anything other than minimum 89 octane. I definitely would not be using 87 octane in my 2 cycle engines. Maybe Stihl has changed their octane spec but doubt it.
Look at your manual and verify.
Just looked at the Stihl website and they are still stating 89 octane. Yes they state 50:1 for synthetic.

You are not doing your saw any favors using 87 octane. Ethanol has issues as well especially if you do not use it quickly. Some define quick differently.

Look at buying ethanol free. Yes it cost a bit more but you are not burning much gas at the quantities you say you use.
Ethanol free gas in Florida

Your saw is an investment treat it as such and it will last a long time.

 

[rustyshakelford]

What weed eater do you have? I was thinking about buying one this year. I saw a Stihl weed eater in rural king but it looked pretty flimsy, they only wanted $160 for it though.

FS90 if I was to do it again, I'd go with the fs110. Never heard anyone complain about to much power with a weedeater. I've always been real happy with its performance though.

I also have Stihl chainsaw, blower and weed eater. Very happy with every one.

For sure. We have husky stuff at work for saws and k12s. Hate them. Nothing but constant issues and new guys always flooding them. We're switching over to stihls finally

Brett

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

FS90 if I was to do it again, I'd go with the fs110. Never heard anyone complain about to much power with a weedeater. I've always been real happy with its performance though.



For sure. We have husky stuff at work for saws and k12s. Hate them. Nothing but constant issues and new guys always flooding them. We're switching over to stihls finally

Brett

The FS 40 c-e I believe was the one I was looking at for $160, it was a curve shaft, the strait shaft weed eaters were $350 and up.

According to there website they carry the 91-131

Professional Trimmers For Sale in Circleville, OH 43113

I started out with Husqvarna chainsaws and liked them a lot, I just have better luck with the Stihl's.

I had to put a bit of money into it but I bought a used 05 660 magnum for $500 about 6 years ago, it had a worn out 36in bar and a shot 3/8 chain. I pulled the bar and chain off, took it into my local Stihl dealer and told him to go threw it, put on a .404 25in bar and sprocket, put on duel logger style bumper spikes and replace the cracked sprocket cover, I think all that was 200-300 bucks but the end result is the best saw I have ever ran, it's so balanced an smooth it's mind boggling.

I have cut idk how many cords of wood with it in the past 6 years, it cuts so straight I haven't even rubbed the paint off the bar. The .404 chain stays sharp a crazy long time, my cousin has 25in 3/8 bar on his newer 660, he can cut slightly faster than I can being he's not cutting as wide of a channel but my saw stays sharper longer.



Just last week I pulled them out, cleaned, greased and blew out the air filters and sharpened the chains, all time two fav saws right there. I have ran a lot of diff saws.

 

[fried1765]

I just bought a Honda 4 stroke straight shaft brush cutter/weed wacker. Model HHT35SUKA.
Takes a 10" saw blade.
Haven't had much time to use it, so cannot yet offer a user opinion.
It is a bit heavier than a 2 stroke (15.4 lbs.), but has a nice harness, and is very quiet.
$389 on line, from Home page - MAXTOOL (free shipping)
Good product reviews too.

 

[rustyshakelford]

The FS 40 c-e I believe was the one I was looking at for $160, it was a curve shaft, the strait shaft weed eaters were $350 and up.

According to there website they carry the 91-131

Professional Trimmers For Sale in Circleville, OH 43113

I started out with Husqvarna chainsaws and liked them a lot, I just have better luck with the Stihl's.

I had to put a bit of money into it but I bought a used 05 660 magnum for $500 about 6 years ago, it had a worn out 36in bar and a shot 3/8 chain. I pulled the bar and chain off, took it into my local Stihl dealer and told him to go threw it, put on a .404 25in bar and sprocket, put on duel logger style bumper spikes and replace the cracked sprocket cover, I think all that was 200-300 bucks but the end result is the best saw I have ever ran, it's so balanced an smooth it's mind boggling.

I have cut idk how many cords of wood with it in the past 6 years, it cuts so straight I haven't even rubbed the paint off the bar. The .404 chain stays sharp a crazy long time, my cousin has 25in 3/8 bar on his newer 660, he can cut slightly faster than I can being he's not cutting as wide of a channel but my saw stays sharper longer.

View attachment 511467

Just last week I pulled them out, cleaned, greased and blew out the air filters and sharpened the chains, all time two fav saws right there. I have ran a lot of diff saws.

Probably new model numbers. Straight shaft is the way to go for sure. You really get a better product based on price unfortunately. That fs91 or any of its kin would be a good fit. I bought a 660 in 2013 or so. They are beasts for sure. I love firing it up around someone that has a small consumer grade saw and they are blown away at how deep it's idle is. Only run a 25" 3/8 chain on it. Chains stay sharp when you keep them out of the dirt. I can run a chain most of a day if I'm in pine, hardwood is a little harder on them. If I have a helper, they will go thru several chains. When they have to start paying for them they miraculously learn to run them right!

Brett