2-Stroke: Little extra oil during break in ok?

[Cmarti]

Stihl Ultra Synthetic 50:1 in any saw is the rage among all the pro loggers on the chainsaw sites. I switched to it, figuring the hours they cut and variety of saws they use is a good test. I cut 6 cords a year and do farm clean up, not for a living like those guys. Echo Semi synthetic 50:1 has worked in my 40:1 saws and 32:1 vintage saws.

I actually ran 24:1 with the spark arrestor removed in a problem poulan (is that redundant)last night for 2 hours. I was trying to see if the heavier mix helped with compression, as some have suggested. It started well, but was a little sluggish on the high end.

Echo saws get bagged for power to weight ratio's, but never for not running or lasting. 40:1 or 50:1 with Stihl or Echo oil will work fine. I wouldn't sweat it, and enjoy the saw.

 

[tdi-rick]

Originally Posted By: tamadrummer
Do not run your 2 cycle mix at more than 50:1. It will only cause you problems! You will end up with unburned oil coking up the exhaust port and spark screen and in the end muck up a good piece of equipment.



I'll call you on this one.
I agree that 50:1 is fine to use, the manufacturers wouldn't recommend it if it wasn't for average use, but....
Any premium oil at 32 or 40:1 will not carbon up a saw, particularly a JASO FC or FD oil, but even race oriented oils look very good at these ratios with minimal to no carbon.

At the fatter fuel oil ratio you will have more protection up your sleeve, particularly running constantly in hot weather and you make more power (better ring seal) as long as you know how to tune it properly. (jet limiters notwithstanding)
Anyone that races saws uses fatter fuel oil ratios, even in their work saws.

I agree with the fuel recommendation, and particularly try and avoid an ethanol blend and nothing over 10%.

IMO the leaner fuel/oil ratios are to lower emissions, nothing more, just like the limiter caps on jets (and a number of saws apparently are running very close to the edge with those )

 

[tamadrummer]

All I can say is that since I switched from using John Deere Premium 2 cycle oil which is Synthetic Blend FC rated and 93 octane I have not plugged up one spark screen.

I was plugging them up regularly with the JD premium and was at 50:1. I don't go richer on oil for any reason! I try not to go leaner either. I do not have any scuffing issues ever with my equipment and in the summer I will be using Amsoil saber pro at 50:1 because that is what Stihl says to do and they make the equipment.

You can run a higher amount of oil but it will not help you out!

 

[Tom_T]

I'll cast my vote for what the OP is considering. A richer mix during break-in isn't going to carbon you up, at least it hasn't done it to me. I'd go 32:1 for the first gallon, 40:1 for the 2nd gallon. After that, if it were me, I'd keep it at 40:1. But that's just me.

 

[Jim 5]

I agree that the change in ratio happened to ease compliance with EPA rules. That's also why you're seeing 4 stroke/4 mix equipment.

I have been running either 32:1 or 40:1 since new on my stihl leaf blower and chain saw as well as on my echo line trimmer. No problems whatsoever.

Hopefully our resident two stroke expert "Cujet" will weigh in, and I predict he will say 32:1 is OK. That's what got me comfortable in the first place.