2 Stoke oil- Can I use TC-W in an air cooled TC engine?

[ToadHill]

I remember working at a gas station while in High School. One customer had a 2 cycle Saab, we just threw in a quart of 30w with each 5 gallons of gas. Not that it answers your question but just an interesting fact.

 

[lightninboy]

I have used Lawn Boy 2-cycle oil for years in the trimmer and the blower. It has no API rating on it but is ashless and for all 2-cycle gas engines. It is reputed to actually be CITGO SUPERGARD Marine Plus Two-Cycle Engine Oil, TC-W3, may also be used in many air-cooled two-cycle engine applications requiring API Service Category TC.

Go figure.

 

[lightninboy]

I was doing some research.

Briggs & Stratton, 2 Cycle, Ashless Oil, Recommended For Use With Lawn-Boy, Toro & Ryobi Branded Power Equipment.

Master Mechanic, 2 Cycle, Ashless Oil, Ideal For Lawn Boy, Toro, Ryobi & Other 2 Cycle Outdoor Power Equipment.

MTD 2-Cycle Small Engine Oil
Required for 2-cycle engines on single-stage snowblowers
Can be used for 2-cycle trimmers, edgers, chainsaws
Smokeless Formula
Premium low-ash oil eliminates smokey emissions

"ARNOLD" UNIVERSAL ASHLESS 2- CYCLE OIL
Good for all 2-cycle engine needs including gasohol.

"ACE" 2-CYCLE PREMIUM ASHLESS OIL
Good for all 2-cycle engine needs including gasohol.

"ACE" 2-CYCLE LOW-ASH OIL
Good for all 2-cycle engine needs including gasohol.

Valvoline VV461 NMMA (BIA) TC-W3 Certified 2-Cycle Multi-Purpose Engine Oil
Provides excellent performance in lawn mowers, chain saws, string trimmers, outboard engines, jet skis, motorcycles and snow blowers
Valvoline's Multi-Purpose 2-Cycle Engine Oil - A general purpose oil for air-cooled, 2-cycle engines. Valvoline's ashless Multi-Purpose 2-Cycle oil is specially formulated for high-revving, small two-cycle engines, air- or water-cooled engines, pre-mix or injection engines, and engines requiring a gas-to-oil mixture.

PENNZOIL PREMIUM OUTBOARD AND MULTI-PURPOSE TWO-CYCLE OIL
It contains Pennzoil premium quality lubricating oil plus ashless additives and increased detergency to give the best quality protection in all types of high performance two-cycle engines calling for TC-W, TC-WII, and TC-W3 oils. PENNZOIL PREMIUM OUTBOARD AND MULTI-PURPOSE TWO-CYCLE OIL also exceeds the performance requirements of the API TC Service Classification which is commonly recommended for air-cooled two-cycle engines.

Echo has synthetic blend low-ash oil made by Citgo.

Stihl has low-ash oil, may be made by BP-Castrol.

 

[mrutkaus]

Don't use it, I screwed up my and my neighbor's snowmobiles years ago with some "bargain" two cycle oil meant for water cooled engines.

Mike

 

[Kernopelli]

I have to say, I don't know what to make of this subject. I have ridden 2 stroke dirt bikes, both air and water cooled since 1972 and with the exception of a YZ400E I bought new in 1978 that I ran on Golden Spectro exclusively, I have never paid any attention to the oil I have ran in my 2 stroke bikes, ATV's, chainsaws, weedeaters, blowers, etc. I know for sure, I have used a gallon of the Penzoil Premium outboard mentioned and a gallon of Wally worlds "all purpose 2strk oil" and a few quarts of penzoil and store brand "outboard" oil and a couple of cans of chainsaw oil in the bikes, atv's,weed eater and saws in the last year or so...with no problems with anything. We go through a lot of pre-mix, especially since we seem to be the "refueling station" for my 3 sons friends too. I have had very limited possible oil related problems w/ 2 stroke motors over many diffent engines and years. The only 2 strokes I have ever fried a piston in was the 400 that I ran on spectro exclusively and a 20 yr. old (!) Craftsman chainsaw. I had the crank bearings go south on a KTM 50cc motocrosser that one of the boys raced but I don't know anyone that's not rebuilding often in that class. My current water cooled woods bike has somewhere between 3-4000 miles on it w/ original piston and second set of rings and still runs like a top. I usually mix 5 gallons of whatever is cheapest at about 35-40:1 and burn it in everything air and water cooled we've got. I know oil technology has really advanced in recent years but honestly, I have had almost no problems regardless of type of oil burned in both air and water cooled 2 strokes. I have had far more top end problems w/ 4 strokes that I was actually somewhat "picky" about the oil I used.

I guess I should start paying some more attention to my oil but I'm not too convinced I will see any difference.

 

[mattman]

If I had a gallon of liquid cooled 2 stroke oil I would be dumping a little in my tractor and truck to help lube the fuel system. ULSD is kind of on the dry side compared to LSD of a couple years ago.

I would buy the air cooled oil for air cooled motors.

 

[lightninboy]

The TC-W3 oil I am using in the Stihl chainsaw is Valvoline.

Valvoline says on its website:
This product is recommended for all leading outboard engines, including the latest high horsepower units. Valvoline NMMA (BIA) Certified 2-Cycle Engine Oil will also provide excellent performance in two-cycle engines of motorcycles, chain saws, lawn mowers and snowmobiles.

I guess I have nothing to fear really.

 

[lightninboy]

The Stihl chainsaw quit working. I feared the outboard oil was to blame. The dealership fixed and tuned about everything on the saw, but he said the engine was internally good. I guess a Stihl, being well-built in the first place, is not overly fussy about what oil you put in it. However, I recommend using Stihl oil or its equivalent at least part of the time.

 

[clemsonfor]

They say it wont protect as well cause the oil will burn at lower temps designed for water cooled engines. Air cooled oil in a boat motor is said to coke up as it wont all combust as its designed for higher temps. i know some say they have done it 30 years and its fine, i dont think i would as cheap as 2 stroke oil is.

 

[brucew44guns]

I bought a new Stihl Magnum 660 saw and an F-250 Stihl trimmer a year ago. I have 2 other Stihl saws and a Stihl blower. I went for broke, bought the Stihl Ultra synthetic 2 cycle oil, mixes 50:1. All 5 machines purr like a Maltese tom cat. Start up like a dream come true, exhaust is not noticeable at all. There are several brands of oil that will work just as good, stick with a decent name brand, oil is cheap compared to replacing or overhauling. At one time, I used Union 76 2 stroke in TCW-3 in my saws, no trouble then either.