2- cycle multi-ratio oil

[aloha]

Pro-Mix 2-Cycle engine oil claims that when mixed at a 50:1 ratio it "Safely replaces all mix ratios" from 50:1 to 16:1. Does anyone have experience with this product in equipment calling for a mix other than 50:1?

My brush cutter calls for 50:1 and chain saw says 40:1; it would be convenient to feed both from the same mix.

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My brush cutter calls for 50:1 and chain saw says 40:1; it would be convenient to feed both from the same mix. )</font>

It should be fine.
If it were mine, I would mix at 40:1 and run it in both.

 

[riches139]

I use Amsoil mixed at 80:1 in all my 2 cycle equipment.
No smoke, clean exhaust port and muffler. Plug stays clean also.

 

[rkeyman]

I have used both Pro-Mix and ALCO multi-ratio oil and they have worked fine in all my equipment (Stihl/Husqvarna/Troy-bilt) that uses a gas/oil mix.

 

[WH401]

I use Amsoil Saber Professional oil mixed at 80:1 w/ 89 gas in all my 2-stroke equipment. From chainsaws to leaf blowers, it all runs excellent on it. Easy starting, great throttle response, and no smoke.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My brush cutter calls for 50:1 and chain saw says 40:1; it would be convenient to feed both from the same mix. )</font>

It should be fine.
If it were mine, I would mix at 40:1 and run it in both.

Me, too.

 

[Dmace]

I use Amsoil Saber Professional oil mixed at 80:1 w/ 89 gas in all my 2-stroke equipment. From chainsaws to leaf blowers, it all runs excellent on it. Easy starting, great throttle response, and no smoke.

No kidding there's no smoke, that's because there is almost no oil in it either.

To the OP, run the oil mix the manufacturer recommends if you plan on using your 2-stroke engine for more then a year or so. Running 40:1 in something recommending 50:1 is no problem, a little extra oil never hurt but do not run some crazy 80:1 or higher in it. They may run good now with that 80:1 mix but that engine will not last as long as it would with the correct ratio.

 

[WH401]

No kidding there's no smoke, that's because there is almost no oil in it either.

To the OP, run the oil mix the manufacturer recommends if you plan on using your 2-stroke engine for more then a year or so. Running 40:1 in something recommending 50:1 is no problem, a little extra oil never hurt but do not run some crazy 80:1 or higher in it. They may run good now with that 80:1 mix but that engine will not last as long as it would with the correct ratio.

You have to remember that the lubricating properties of a synthetic oil compared to a dino are different. Synthetic 2-stroke oil's can typically be run at lower amounts than that of dino's, while still being able to lubricate better. I can understand your skepticism though, I was the same way before I used it. I first tried it out in a 10 year old junk Poulan blower that always ran like crap no matter what you did with it. Almost instantly that thing ran better, and has run like a champ ever since I changed the mix. I bought a Stihl BR600 blower last year, $500 new. I've run the mix of Saber and 89 gas at 80:1 in it since the first tank of fuel. It's been run for about 30 full throttle, wide open hours between this year and last, and that thing runs like a raped ape. If it wasn't getting proper lubrication, it would have seized all ready, so that's moot point. I also bought a new Stihl FS90R trimmer last summer. It's had the same mix run though it since day 1 and it runs just as well.

If you want to read up about it then head on over to www.lawnsite.com. Many of the LCO's over there run Saber at 80:1 in all there hand helds and love it.

 

[SunnyJim]

Saber was designed to run at 100:1 so 80:1 is very safe. If you check the specs Saber is roughly double the viscosity of a normal 2 stroke oil.

I would not try and judge performance by smoke. I just finished using my chainsaw with some fresh 40:1 synthetic in it. Not a sign of smoke but it was running much better then the fuel that was in it.

 

[mostly_gas]

In most two-strokes the recommended oil-mix is needed only at max throttle and max RPM. I had a friend race moto-cross for years using 32:1 instead of mfg. rec. 20:1 mix with no problems. Some engines can run lean on a oil rich fuel mix. So if the plug doesn't change color on your brush cutter you should be fine.

 

[RobertN]

I run by the oil manufacturer. They formulate the oil for maximum lubrication at a specific ratio. I personally run eith Husky or Stihl premium mix at 50:1. Thier little botles mix a gallon of gas; I only mix a gallon at a time and use it up so I typically have pretty fresh gas. Since my saws and trimmer are 14,000 rpm engines, I like to feed them premium gas too. My newer and older Husky and Stihl saws and trimmers run great with that mix.

There is a reason old saws used 16:1 or 20:1, is because the oils availble back then did not lubricate as well, or have the additives we have now. In many cases, the mix was plain 30w motor oil.

The most important this I have found, and was taught by a pro motocross racer, is use a good oil, good gas, and keep it fresh. On thier race bikes, they wouldn't use day old mix. Within 24 hours, the oil was breaking down in the gas, and lost some lubricity. Granted, they were talking expensive race engines, and winning championships.

If you run a richer oil mix, you won't help anything; just wasting oil. And smoking. An fouling plugs.

 

[Chilly807]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My brush cutter calls for 50:1 and chain saw says 40:1; it would be convenient to feed both from the same mix. )</font>

It should be fine.
If it were mine, I would mix at 40:1 and run it in both.

That's what I do too. 50:1 should be safe, but I'm entitled to my little bit of paranoia

Chilly

 

[kenmac]

I use Amsoil Saber Professional oil mixed at 80:1 w/ 89 gas in all my 2-stroke equipment. From chainsaws to leaf blowers, it all runs excellent on it. Easy starting, great throttle response, and no smoke.

And I'm another saber fan.. Good stuff. It is rated to run 100 to 1

 

[NIdaho]

Yep the Amsoil Saber is good stuff.

I run it in the same mix in my 2 Husky chain saws, weedeaters, blowers, the wife's mini-cultivator/tiller and anything else that calls for mixed gas. I run it at a 50:1 ratio and have been using it for years (the Amsoil 100:1 premix oil before they introduced the Saber stuff).

 

[Skyco]

Some engines can run lean on a oil rich fuel mix.

I've been wondering if someone would post that. It is true that more oil equals a leaner fuel air mix but I've gotten in so many arguments about this over the years I don't even try to bring it up anymore
Well known in the dirt bike world but seems unknown in most other 2 stroke worlds...
It seems counter intuitive that more oil can cause a seizure in a highly stressed/tuned 2 stroke but it can due to running too lean.

 

[brandoro]

I started using 100-1 Amsoil in a Stihl 07 chainsaw, give you Stihl fans an idea how old a saw I started out with. That saw never ran so good as it did with that 100-1 mix, and I do mix it meticulously at 100-1. I stress tested it by cutting blocks full bar off a pile of tree length wood on a hot summer day until I could hardly stand. The saw never missed a beat. Never fouled any more plugs. I finally pensioned it off when I couldn't keep all the other parts bolted to the engine. I bought a Husqvarna 154, that was almost 30 years ago. I have always run 100-1 mix in that saw and have cut a pile, a few piles actually, of firewood with it in that time. It still runs great, can't remember the last time I changed the spark plug.
So, for those who say engines won't last on 100-1 mix, I beg to differ.

 

[Baucom]

I run Shindaiwa oil mixed ~40:1 with premium gas in all of my 2-stroke equipment. Haven't had a problem yet. I'd use Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo, or any other name brand oil, but my dealer sells the Shindaiwa oil for less than half what other places ask for name brand 2-stroke oil.