32-1, 40-1, 50-1 what the heck is wrong here?

[JimR]

Why can't these stupid manufacturers get their heads together and make these oil/gas mixture devices all the same. How many of you have a Homelite anything with 32-1 and a Husky whatever with a 50-1 or a Poulan whatever with the 40-1 ratio? I do not want to mix different gas for each power tool. So what would you do? Find a happy medium like 40-1 and run them all on it? Why can't all of them run on a 50-1 mixture? Is it poor quality of parts that require a higher degree of oil mixture? So tell me, what do you guys do?

 

[johndeere2210]

Right, wrong or indifferent, I run all my two cycle stuff using John Deere exact mix. I put one of those little four oz. jugs in a gallon of gas and use it in everything. Have been doing that for four years and have had no adverse affects on any of my engines. I am running two JD weed eaters, an Echo weed eater, Echo blower, JD chain saw and a Homelite chain saw. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I was getting tired of having to label all the cans and trip over them when going into the lawn mower shed.

 

[Logan]

I'm stubborn I guess. I have four different cans in the shed, all with different mixes. If I run out of one I will use the next oilier(sp?) mix if I'm in a hurry. I have read that all of the engines will run alright on a modern 50:1, but I can't afford to find out if they're right. I have one big & old Poulan, one of the real ones, that uses 16:1 (8 oz. of oil to gallon, is that ratio right?) I just can't see it running on 50:1.

 

[billbill1]

I have three Stihl chainsaw all recommending 40:1 mix, I have always mixed at 32:1 and have never had a problem with hard starting or smoking. I'd use the heavier mix if it were me.

 

[Gatorboy]

If you only want to use one mixture for all your engines, use the 32:1 mixture ... a bit more oil in the other engines shouldn't hurt it like but too much gasoline in the mixture would.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Same here...JD chainsaw, Sthil chainsaw, 2 JD weed eaters, Poulan leaf blower and probably something else I am forgetting. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PhilNH5]

Jim,
When I ran my Poulan saw I kept 2 seperate containers for my 2 cycle stuff. Now I make sure I buy eqiupment that all uses the same ratio and I am down to one container.

I have heard you can use the 32:1 mix for everything but I always assumed that would lead to fouling of the plugs.

Phil

 

[Panache]

I use Stihl low-e oil 50-1 in all mixed fuel equipment.

 

[bczoom]

I keep (2) 1 gallon cans.
1 at 32:1 for everything Homelite
1 at 50:1 for everything Husqvarna

For the 40:1, I fill the tank 1/2 way with 32:1 the other 1/2 at 50:1.

I wouldn't trust my Homelites to last very long if running at 50:1
My Husky's run perfectly at 50:1 so I don't want to increase the oil mix by almost 40%.

 

[BigEddy]

My Dealer once told me that it doesn't matter what you run as long as you are consistent, and you run FRESH Hi-test fuel. He said changing the mix or even the oil brand was worse than using more or less than recommended. In his shop he mixes 50:1 for everything using a premium oil.

If I recall correctly my Husky Saw and my JD Weedeater both say 50:1 if using Husky / JD oil, but 40:1/32:1 if using someone elses oil. Personally I mix 1 can of Hi-test 32:1 and use it in everything.

(Side topic - don't try to fill a 1 gallon can with Hi-test from a multi-grade pump. You'll get whatever the previous guy used and pay for premium - and the next guy gets a bonus in the lines. I make a special trip for hi-test to the one station with a dedicated pump.)

 

[EastTexFrank]

I've never understood this either. Not that it matters ... one mix does all, 40:1. I've never had a problem yet and it's much better than trying to keep 3 different mixes fresh. Even a gallon of mix lasts a long time in a seldom used piece of equipment.

 

[riches139]

I use Amsoil (www.amsoil.com) at 80-1. I have also ran it at 100-1 with no problems.
Keeps exhaust port clean, and the plug in all my 2 cycle equipment.
The quality of the oil determines the mix ratio.

 

[getut]

I do the same. I use Amsoil 100:1 pre-mix oil, but mix it at around 80:1 and use it in everything, even my 28HP Simonini racing 2 stroke motor on my flying rig. It calls for 32:1 in the manual and I have over 175 hours on it now and it runs flat out for 2 hours at a time when I am flying.

The same mix runs in my boat and my stihl weed-eater. Never had a problem. I don't have to de-carbon the Simonini near as often as guys running other oils at the recommended mix ratio (by engine manufacturer). I also have never had an engine seizure. Other guys I fly with have.

 

[BigDave]

When I had multiple machines that required different mixes, I also ran a single Amsoil mix for all of them.

 

[art]

Jim, you are right about the quality of build for the mix of the oil. The coarser the cut the more oil that is needed.

 

[getut]

It is NOT simply the quality of build that sets the oil mixture. The combination of air intake/oil/gas/compression ratio/tuned exhaust creates a complex mix of variables that equal different power output and different head temperatures. Running a given intake/compression ratio/carb (fuel and air mixture) is an effective way to reduce head temperatures without changing anything mechanically. The engine runs richer and cooler. Side effect of that is less power and more fuel consumption. Decrease oil used and head temperature rises, power increases, fuel consumption decreases and it runs leaner. A good synthetic 2-stroke oil such as the Amsoil 100:1 handles the leaner running without the large temperature increase of other oils. The temp increases are what cause seizure or holes burned in pistons in high performance 2 strokes. A proper 2 stroke engine design will also use the incoming mixture to help cool the engine. The synthetic 2 stroke oils also turn to a mist easier when leaving the jets which aids that cooling process.

So in effect... a good synthetic 2 stroke oil such as Amsoil or Redline will typically yield more power and less fuel consumption with the same temperature or same power and fuel consumption and lower temperature than regular oils. This effect is quite noticeable.

 

[JimR]

I just ordered two quarts of Amsoil. I guess since most of my new tools are under warranty, chainsaws, leaf blower/vac and trimmer I may as well give it a try and see how that works out. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[SPIKER]

Ive also been told it's NOT the product/engine manufatucre but the OIL & GAS that makes it. one oil mfg recogmends 32 or 40 or50:1 then follow that for all of the engines. at least that is what the profesional guy said who was into oils & lubes for a living...

MarkM