2 cycle oil in a 4 cycle

[Dr_No]

I recently put some Chevron TCW3 oil in my 4 stroke (B&S 3.5 hp)lawnmower gas, runs ALOT smoother and I noticed less noise
I recommend it to everyone.

 

[Bror Jace]

Dr. No, I've done this too ... usually to get rid of old oil ... or to use up pre-mixed fuel that I thought was getting old.

However, I do it at very lean mixtures (100:1 - 200:1) and I only do it once in a while.

I am concerned that this practice may leave some deposits So, I often follow it up with a tankful of fuel which includes some cleaner like SI-1.

 

[Dr_No]

The 2 cycle are made to NOT leave deposits, and are clean burning.

 

[yeehaw1960]

I wouldn't do it! I fear change! And, the environmentalist wouldn't like me anymore. Secret is, they probably already don't like me...I'm a former styrofoam cup user...don't judge me!

 

[Bror Jace]

Dr. No, I don't think it's that simple. 2-stroke oils are designed to burn cleanly when they are used in an air-cooled 2-stroke engine which can run a lot hotter than a 4-stroke, especially a liquid-cooled one.

There's also the valves to worry about getting fouled. Big difference between the valves in 2 vs. 4 stroke engines.

Other concerns are the various sensors inside more complicated 4-stroke engines. The sensor may get coated (effectively ruined) by a thin film of oil.

I realize not all of the above apply to simple lawn mower engines, but I thought I'd put all my '2-stroke oil in a 4-stroke' concerns in one post.

Without some serious testing, my caveats remain.

 

[Dr_No]

Thank you for clearing that for me, I did not consider.
My lawnmower is simple.

I do use 2 cycle oil in my car at 500:1 ratio as auto-union does, now I am re-thinking this.

 

[Gilitar]

500:1 ratio?

Why even bother? I think your doing more harm than good.