gas/oil mix ratios

[Merle O'Broham]

So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
What gives?

[willshak]

Merle O'Broham wrote:

>So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
>power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
>mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
>with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
>What gives?
>
>
I mix the separate tool mixtures and keep each in a gallon milk
container in the shed. I use a permanent marker to write the mixture
ratio, # of ounces of oil per gallon, and what tool it goes with, on the
container.
To get the proper mixture of oil per gallon of gas, divide 128 (# of
ounces in a gallon) by ratio.
i.e. 128 / 40 = 3.2, so a 40:1 ratio needs 3.2 oz. of oil.
Other ratios:
25:1 = 5.1 oz per gallon.
50:1 = 2.5 oz per gal.

[Chip Stein]

> I mix the separate tool mixtures and keep each in a gallon milk
> container in the shed. I use a permanent marker to write the mixture
> ratio, # of ounces of oil per gallon, and what tool it goes with, on the
> container.


when i worked in lawn equipment we loved people who used milk
jugs. gas breaks them down and clogs the inlet screens with white goo.
fantastic for business. you've gotten lucky so far.
Chip

[Larry]

"willshak" > wrote in message
...
> Merle O'Broham wrote:
>
> >So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
> >power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
> >mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
> >with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
> >What gives?
> >
> >
> I mix the separate tool mixtures and keep each in a gallon milk
> container in the shed. I use a permanent marker to write the mixture
> ratio, # of ounces of oil per gallon, and what tool it goes with, on the
> container.
> To get the proper mixture of oil per gallon of gas, divide 128 (# of
> ounces in a gallon) by ratio.
> i.e. 128 / 40 = 3.2, so a 40:1 ratio needs 3.2 oz. of oil.
> Other ratios:
> 25:1 = 5.1 oz per gallon.
> 50:1 = 2.5 oz per gal.

After spending a few moments to compute all my proper ratios, I made a
'guide sheet' in Word and posted it in my shed (right by my gas cans).
It goes like:

Weedeater XX oz to five gallons
Outboard XX oz to six gallons
etc

That way I add the exact amount and don't score a cylinder because I screwed
up the mix.

Additional note: I add the oil first, a little gas, slosh around real good
and top off with gas.

Larry

[willshak]

Chip Stein wrote:

>>I mix the separate tool mixtures and keep each in a gallon milk
>>container in the shed. I use a permanent marker to write the mixture
>>ratio, # of ounces of oil per gallon, and what tool it goes with, on the
>>container.
>>
>>
>
>
> when i worked in lawn equipment we loved people who used milk
>jugs. gas breaks them down and clogs the inlet screens with white goo.
>fantastic for business. you've gotten lucky so far.
> Chip
>
>
The milk jugs are made of HDPE (high density polyethylene), which is the
same as used for oil and gasoline containers. Perhaps you were thinking
of some other plastic?

[Srgnt Billko]

"Merle O'Broham" > wrote in message
om...
> So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
> power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
> mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
> with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
> What gives?

I just mix one batch - to the richest ratio - and use it in all my 2 cycle
engines (two mini-tillers, four chain saws, water pump) - and actually I
usually mix it richer than the stated ratio - I never buy the manufacturers
expensive small oil bottles , just get quart bottles from major oil
companies and measure out 3 ounces in a few small glass jars - and I only
approximate the amount of gas I mix it with. Haven't blown an engine yet
(knock on wood).
When I ran the old 2 cycle Saabs and snowmobiles I bought the oil in a small
barrel (can't remember wether it was 16 or 20 gallon) but it seemed to gel
after a couple years even though manufacturers claim there is no shelf life.

[Peter H]

willshak wrote:
> Merle O'Broham wrote:
>
>> So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
>> power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
>> mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
>> with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
>> What gives?
>>
>>
> I mix the separate tool mixtures and keep each in a gallon milk
> container in the shed. I use a permanent marker to write the mixture
> ratio, # of ounces of oil per gallon, and what tool it goes with, on the
> container.
> To get the proper mixture of oil per gallon of gas, divide 128 (# of
> ounces in a gallon) by ratio.
> i.e. 128 / 40 = 3.2, so a 40:1 ratio needs 3.2 oz. of oil.
> Other ratios:
> 25:1 = 5.1 oz per gallon.
> 50:1 = 2.5 oz per gal.
Keep in mind that there is a difference between American and Imperial
gallons. Even the American ounce is slightly different.

Peter H

[Merle O'Broham]

"Srgnt Billko" > wrote in message >...
> "Merle O'Broham" > wrote in message
> om...
> > So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
> > power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
> > mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
> > with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
> > What gives?
>
> I just mix one batch - to the richest ratio - and use it in all my 2 cycle
> engines (two mini-tillers, four chain saws, water pump) - and actually I
> usually mix it richer than the stated ratio - I never buy the manufacturers
> expensive small oil bottles , just get quart bottles from major oil
> companies and measure out 3 ounces in a few small glass jars - and I only
> approximate the amount of gas I mix it with. Haven't blown an engine yet
> (knock on wood).
> When I ran the old 2 cycle Saabs and snowmobiles I bought the oil in a small
> barrel (can't remember wether it was 16 or 20 gallon) but it seemed to gel
> after a couple years even though manufacturers claim there is no shelf life.


Thanks to all the above posters. Y'know, I haven't seen anything
larger than the little (what are they 2 oz?) bottles of the mix that
says to mix with a gallon of gas. I like the idea of running a bit
richer mixture just so I don't need 3 or 4 seperate little red plastic
gas containers. As an aside, squirrels chewed through a wooden window
pane in my garage thinking they're gonna winter down inside and have
started eating the yellow plastic pouring spout on one of those
containers! Gas tastes good to squirrels?

[op4_camper]

"Merle O'Broham" > wrote in message
om...
> So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
> power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
> mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
> with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
> What gives?

Ive been using this stuff for years.
http://www.manddsmallengine.com/opti/opti-2.html

Just dont mix it with any other premix in the can or in the tank.

[Chet Hayes]

"Srgnt Billko" > wrote in message >...
> "Merle O'Broham" > wrote in message
> om...
> > So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
> > power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
> > mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
> > with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
> > What gives?
>
> I just mix one batch - to the richest ratio - and use it in all my 2 cycle
> engines (two mini-tillers, four chain saws, water pump) - and actually I
> usually mix it richer than the stated ratio - I never buy the manufacturers
> expensive small oil bottles , just get quart bottles from major oil
> companies and measure out 3 ounces in a few small glass jars - and I only
> approximate the amount of gas I mix it with. Haven't blown an engine yet
> (knock on wood).
> When I ran the old 2 cycle Saabs and snowmobiles I bought the oil in a small
> barrel (can't remember wether it was 16 or 20 gallon) but it seemed to gel
> after a couple years even though manufacturers claim there is no shelf life.


That's what I do too. Use the richest ratio mix for all. These two
cycle engines are all very similar, it's hard to believe that even an
average ratio will result in much difference in the typical engine
life, which is pretty short.

[Alan Alpert]

I agree. For the past 30 years I have been running at least four 2 cycle
machines on 25:1 mixture.


"Chet Hayes" > wrote in message
om...
> "Srgnt Billko" > wrote in message
> >...
>> "Merle O'Broham" > wrote in message
>> om...
>> > So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
>> > power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
>> > mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
>> > with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
>> > What gives?
>>
>> I just mix one batch - to the richest ratio - and use it in all my 2
>> cycle
>> engines (two mini-tillers, four chain saws, water pump) - and actually I
>> usually mix it richer than the stated ratio - I never buy the
>> manufacturers
>> expensive small oil bottles , just get quart bottles from major oil
>> companies and measure out 3 ounces in a few small glass jars - and I only
>> approximate the amount of gas I mix it with. Haven't blown an engine yet
>> (knock on wood).
>> When I ran the old 2 cycle Saabs and snowmobiles I bought the oil in a
>> small
>> barrel (can't remember wether it was 16 or 20 gallon) but it seemed to
>> gel
>> after a couple years even though manufacturers claim there is no shelf
>> life.
>
>
> That's what I do too. Use the richest ratio mix for all. These two
> cycle engines are all very similar, it's hard to believe that even an
> average ratio will result in much difference in the typical engine
> life, which is pretty short.

[JD]

My suggestion is this:

Run all your equipment with 50:1. The richer the blend, the more apt you
are to overheat and scauld the bearings. While it may seem that more oil
would prevent wear/tear...it is quite opposite in a 2 cycle motor. The
lubrication is throughout the entire engine, and the richer the blend, the
harder it is on the life of the engine components (especially if running at
high rpms).

Try this: stick one index finger into a cup of oil and your other index
finger into a cup of gas. Pull out both fingers at the same time. Which
one feels cooler? I attended a two week repair course for Stihl products,
and it made a believer out of me.

For the best deal on two cycle oil, visit your local Wal-Mart automotive
section. They have the little pint bottles for about 75 cents...which have
kept all of my landscape maintenance crews running for over two years now.
For those of you who use very little fuel, I recommend buying only one
gallon at a time, and also purchasing 89 octane.

Good luck.


"op4_camper" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Merle O'Broham" > wrote in message
> om...
> > So, the snowblower says 25:1, the string trimmer says 40:1, and the
> > power blower says 50:1. Anyone having a wee bit difficulty getting the
> > mixtures right? Seems all the little oil mix containers say to mix
> > with a gallon of gas and some don't even give the ratio on the label.
> > What gives?
>
> Ive been using this stuff for years.
> http://www.manddsmallengine.com/opti/opti-2.html
>
> Just dont mix it with any other premix in the can or in the tank.
>
>

[Srgnt Billko]

"JD" > wrote in message
m...
> My suggestion is this:
>
> Run all your equipment with 50:1. The richer the blend, the more apt you
> are to overheat and scauld the bearings. While it may seem that more oil
> would prevent wear/tear...it is quite opposite in a 2 cycle motor. The
> lubrication is throughout the entire engine, and the richer the blend, the
> harder it is on the life of the engine components (especially if running
at
> high rpms).
>

Could be - I almost always run my equipment for short periods of time - like
today I had 2 chains saws out and alternated using them.

[GFRfan]

JD wrote:
> My suggestion is this:
>
> Run all your equipment with 50:1. The richer the blend, the more apt you
> are to overheat and scauld the bearings. While it may seem that more oil
> would prevent wear/tear...it is quite opposite in a 2 cycle motor. The
> lubrication is throughout the entire engine, and the richer the blend, the
> harder it is on the life of the engine components (especially if running at
> high rpms).
>
> Try this: stick one index finger into a cup of oil and your other index
> finger into a cup of gas. Pull out both fingers at the same time. Which
> one feels cooler? I attended a two week repair course for Stihl products,
> and it made a believer out of me.
>
> For the best deal on two cycle oil, visit your local Wal-Mart automotive
> section. They have the little pint bottles for about 75 cents...which have
> kept all of my landscape maintenance crews running for over two years now.
> For those of you who use very little fuel, I recommend buying only one
> gallon at a time, and also purchasing 89 octane.
>
> Good luck.
>


Around here, *all* the 89 octane gas is ethanol blended. Now I know this
plays havoc with the rubber parts in a carburetor. How compatible is
this with 2 cycle engines and the oil gas mix?

[Chip Stein]

> >
> > Try this: stick one index finger into a cup of oil and your other index
> > finger into a cup of gas. Pull out both fingers at the same time. Which
> > one feels cooler? I attended a two week repair course for Stihl products,
> > and it made a believer out of me.



try this and it works because gas evaporates at room temperature,
that's why it feels cooler. the less oil you run the hotter the
equipment will run, that's why at stihl school they harp on
adjustments and lean seizure. I went there too.
if you run stihl, echo, tanaka, husqvarna.. oils they are true
multi-ratio oils. run them at 50:1 even in old 32:1 or 16:1 and it
will be fine.
don't by the cheaper outboard oil!! it combusts befor entering
the combustion chamber, and will roast a 2-stroke in short order.
Chip

[Srgnt Billko]

"Chip Stein" > wrote in message
om...
> > >
> > > Try this: stick one index finger into a cup of oil and your other
index
> > > finger into a cup of gas. Pull out both fingers at the same time.
Which
> > > one feels cooler? I attended a two week repair course for Stihl
products,
> > > and it made a believer out of me.
>
>
>
> try this and it works because gas evaporates at room temperature,
> that's why it feels cooler. the less oil you run the hotter the
> equipment will run, that's why at stihl school they harp on
> adjustments and lean seizure. I went there too.
> if you run stihl, echo, tanaka, husqvarna.. oils they are true
> multi-ratio oils. run them at 50:1 even in old 32:1 or 16:1 and it
> will be fine.
> don't by the cheaper outboard oil!! it combusts befor entering
> the combustion chamber, and will roast a 2-stroke in short order.
> Chip

Beg to differ with you. My experience has not shown that at all.

[Chip Stein]

> > don't by the cheaper outboard oil!! it combusts befor entering
> > the combustion chamber, and will roast a 2-stroke in short order.
> > Chip
>
> Beg to differ with you. My experience has not shown that at all.

on a stihl chainsaw turning 13,000 rpm no load it will carbon
track the main bearings and lean seize the piston. on a piece of
crap like ryobi, or the other reed motors and low rpm equipment it may
work out.
8 years of small engine service experience showed me that, and we
did it at stihl school to a brand new saw. try your luck,
Chip

[Chas Hurst]

"Chip Stein" > wrote in message
om...
> > > don't by the cheaper outboard oil!! it combusts befor entering
> > > the combustion chamber, and will roast a 2-stroke in short order.
> > > Chip
> >
> > Beg to differ with you. My experience has not shown that at all.
>
> on a stihl chainsaw turning 13,000 rpm no load it will carbon
> track the main bearings and lean seize the piston. on a piece of
> crap like ryobi, or the other reed motors and low rpm equipment it may
> work out.
> 8 years of small engine service experience showed me that, and we
> did it at stihl school to a brand new saw. try your luck,
> Chip

This sounds more like a Stihl problem than an oil problem. I use 100:1
synthetic in my Stihl chainsaw. After 20 years and cutting 1-2 cords/year it
runs and starts great.

Chas Hurst

[Chip Stein]

>
> This sounds more like a Stihl problem than an oil problem. I use 100:1
> synthetic in my Stihl chainsaw. After 20 years and cutting 1-2 cords/year it
> runs and starts great.
>
> Chas Hurst

100:1 synthetic is fine. it's the cheap outboard crap that gets
people into trouble. outboards are water cooled, lawn wquipment is air
cooled and runs hotter.
quality oil is fine, crappy i only want to spend 50 cents oil is
not.
Chip

[Srgnt Billko]

"Chas Hurst" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Chip Stein" > wrote in message
> om...
> > > > don't by the cheaper outboard oil!! it combusts befor entering
> > > > the combustion chamber, and will roast a 2-stroke in short order.
> > > > Chip
> > >
> > > Beg to differ with you. My experience has not shown that at all.
> >
> > on a stihl chainsaw turning 13,000 rpm no load it will carbon
> > track the main bearings and lean seize the piston. on a piece of
> > crap like ryobi, or the other reed motors and low rpm equipment it may
> > work out.
> > 8 years of small engine service experience showed me that, and we
> > did it at stihl school to a brand new saw. try your luck,
> > Chip
>
> This sounds more like a Stihl problem than an oil problem. I use 100:1
> synthetic in my Stihl chainsaw. After 20 years and cutting 1-2 cords/year
it
> runs and starts great.
>
> Chas Hurst
>

I think you are right.