2 stroke oil - can't be a coincidence

[Dad2leia]

That's probably what's going to kill my experimentation up here for the winter nickmckinney, is that darn oxygenated fuel. Ever since they come up with that fuel many years ago, every winter in the north, our mileage goes down first because it's cold and we let the cars warm up more and idle longer so they don't get cold. Then we have to deal with the fuel quality going down, and probably this season, those hurricanes have effected the quality of the fuel even more.

I'll post my mileage on this tank, but will probably show better mileage, as a road trip is coming up this coming Friday, so a lot of highway miles will be on this tank.

 

[Wesbo]

For what it's worth, I started running all my small gas 4-cycle engines (lawnmower, generator, etc) on a 50:1 mix a few years ago. I had been dumping in my leftover mix gas, and noticed smoother running, so I just started using it all the time.

Easier starts, no smoke, and the larger engines quieted down quite a bit.

Just for grins and giggles, the last few tanks I have been using 50% 2-smoke oil (the LawnBoy green cans) with 50% canola for the oil component. Exhaust smells a bit different, but no other changes that I can see.

 

[wileyE]

Poured old premix in one of my cars off and on for years and the cat still looked good when I welded a new tailpipe on it. The egr valve was quite carboned up though? On my bikes with metal tanks i try to keep a very small amount in the fuel as it helps greatly to reduce rust and oxidation. But I also notice the soot at the muffler ends when using the 2 cycle, mmo doesn't seem to show unless it gets a big dose.

 

[motoman358]

so adding 2cycle oil to gas actually lowers the octane rating? i am not really understanding why, could someone explain? would this be a good thing to do in a high horsepower pump gas application?

 

[Dad2leia]

OK, first full tank without the 2-cycle lube, but more highway driving than normal:

21.6 M.P.G.

That is down taking in to account all of the variable factors that have changed during this experiment. Will let everyone know on the next tank (which is with nothing added - tank 2).

 

[Drew]

I add one ounce per gallon to every fuel tank in my car. Of course, my car is oil injected and the extra oil will keep my 14 year old car around for another 14 years. As for improved fuel economy, nope, no difference.

 

[Pablo]

Adding too much of any oil to gasoline will indeed lower the octane rating in the same way cheap gasoline with too many long carbon chain (non-octane) molecules will make for incomplete burn /preignition/knock - not a good thing for forced induction cars or high compression engines.

It's a fine balance - today's fuels need some lubricity (via additives like UCL's, 2 stroke oil, MMO, FP) but NOT too much.

 

[nickmckinney]

Here is a bummer I guess, 2 tanks after not using the 2-stroke I just pulled the best gas mileage I ever have with this truck.

Also most modern engines (other than the Wankel RX8) don't need as much lubricity in the fuel as older engine designs. Since the mid 90's or so many engine designs now have moly coating on the rings, teflon coating on the piston skirts, and bronze valve guides which self lubricate much better than cast iron.

 

[Dad2leia]

To be honest nickmckinney, I probably WON'T go back to using the 2-cycle lube. The minimal gains really aren't worth the effort to be carrying a bottle of lube in the back of the car all of the time.

Not to say that it didn't help, but maybe I could do better or at least stay the same by just running a bottle of Redline cleaner through every now and then, just for cleanliness sake. I don't know what I'm going to do yet...

 

[reyjay1]

Also Nick, some additives stick around a lot longer than two tanks to get rid of, I saw once where MMO claimed this and I would suspect the same of 2-s oil. for our diesels anyone who has been running diesel kleen would have to stop using for more than three tanks before noticing a decrease in the benefit of use.

 

[Dad2leia]

Ok, tank 2 with no 2-cycle lube added:

20.9 M.P.G.

So, it is coming back down without the lube added to the tank, as this tank again had a good dose of highway style driving on it, along with the usual city crap.

In regards to the side note that has come up about the octane, Pablo, what would you consider a "safe" ratio of 2-cycle lube to gasoline to run? Do you consider my ounce/gallon a little much? The reason I stuck with this ratio as it seemed to give me the biggest improvement in mileage.

 

[nickmckinney]

Im my case the tank was run about one gallon left. Also too is the cars computer will take a little time to adjust to the fuels change in specific gravity (how much time is another debate I imagine).

 

[Dad2leia]

Welp, down to the last fill up without any 2-cycle lube added:

18.5 M.P.G.

Welcome to winter...idling...warmups...crappy fuel..and no additive left in the tank at all. I guess to really be objective to continue with this, one in the cold northeastern states must wait 'till spring again for more accurate results.

I might just try running it every second tank or so, just to keep up appearances...

 

[Porkchopx]

I have a Diesel and the service tech at my Cummins service outlet stated that 2 stroke engine oil is the best diesel fuel pump lube to use by far. About using it in a gas engine...BE VERY CAREFUL!

 

[Curious Kid]

Quote from PorkChopx:
-------------------
"...BE VERY CAREFUL!"
-------------------

Aside from potential cat. and O2 poisoning, what else might you or the service tech be refering to here? In tank fuel pumpp issues? Otherwise, there's engines that naturally burn oil and how might this mixing differ - really that much of an additive concentration difference?

Interesting.

 

[denaliguide2]

Having observed the long life of properly oiled 2 cycles, and the severe dry start problems in arctic temps, I have been adding about 1 oz of basic motor oil to my gas rigs. Now that I have a D24 diesel in the Volvo, I am adding that much or more, say Via Lucas Oil. Also an aquiantance working on the North Slope, in the oil fields, said that they often added 1::12 ratio of #2 diesel into their gas rigs, and about the same of unleaded into their diesel rigs, the first to add lubrication to gas rigs and the second to add volatility to the diesel in -40 F. temps. Right now I run a premium diesel @$2.50 a gallon, and I mix it 50/50, #2 /#1 diesel. The deal advertises no gelling of the #2 down to -15 with an "Arctic Flow" additive.
My main concern is carbon cleaning and lubricity. I expect to use some AutoRx later this year to deal with any left over carbon/sludge buildup from the previous owners potential inattention to maintenance.

 

[yooper]

I'm really surprised at the mileage you're getting with your CRV. We bought one for the wife last year and get a consistant 29-30 on the highway and 25-26 around town. You must have a heavy foot compared to my wife.

 

[Porkchopx]

The service tech was only referring to his experience with Cummins diesel engines. I assume only in Canada as well. There is no O2 sensor or catalytic converter on my Cummins and I think they are hard to find on most other diesels as well, especially a catalytic converter. No CO from a diesel. Personally I would never run 2-stroke mix in a 4-stroke gas engine. It just would'nt get hot enough to completely burn so eventually the valves through to the muffler will be coated in soot. Try an octane booster and injector lube before mixed gas in a 4-stroke.

 

[andyd]

PC, using outboard oil in ratios of prolly close to 200:1 shouldnt create a soot problem. The oil is ashless, and doesnt clog up the exhaust ports in a 2 stroke at 32:1. I doubt it would harm a 4stroke engine in lower concentrations

 

[Bror Jace]

I have some ancient Poulon 2-stroke oil. I occasionally use it in light concentrations in 4-stroke engines ... including my Nissan QR25DE 4-cylinder.

I'm just trying to get rid of the stuff.

The only engine that really seems to hate this is our twin cylinder Honda tractor.

--- Bror Jace