Best 2 stroke oil

[lilspenny]

The viscosity of the unmixed oil does not necessarily translate to the viscosity of the residual oil in the hot combustion chamber after a significant fraction has flashed off and burned. We don't know the viscosity in the engine. Of the four oils mentioned above, Echo has the highest unmixed oil viscosity, but also the lowest flash point. What does that mean regarding the residual oil viscosity at operating temperature? At operating temperature, the viscosity of the various residual oils is probably very similar.

I think each engine type, size, etc... can make a big difference. Chainsaws tend to do well on Red Armor but my br800 4-mix blower does not. It gets a varnish of sorts on the piston crown. I saw a video of a one year old srm-2620 on RA only and the piston crown was black. Shocker!

 

[goblin]

I think each engine type, size, etc... can make a big difference. Chainsaws tend to do well on Red Armor but my br800 4-mix blower does not. It gets a varnish of sorts on the piston crown. I saw a video of a one year old srm-2620 on RA only and the piston crown was black. Shocker!

My understanding is that chainsaws run very hot and chainsaw-specific 2stroke oils have to be very resistant to heat, but don't have to actually lubricate that well. Had that discussion decades ago when Stihl oil made it to the old country and everyone with anything 2 stroke jumped on it like it was the best thing after sliced bread.
Castor oil (the real one, not castor oil based 2 stroke oils) behaves the same. Except it actually does lubricate better the hotter the engine gets (within its physical limits of course). But use it in something that doesn't run that hot and good morning gunk.

 

[Fattylocks]

Whatever has a yellow tag at Walmart.
My stuff isn't fussy.

 

[lilspenny]

My understanding is that chainsaws run very hot and chainsaw-specific 2stroke oils have to be very resistant to heat, but don't have to actually lubricate that well. Had that discussion decades ago when Stihl oil made it to the old country and everyone with anything 2 stroke jumped on it like it was the best thing after sliced bread.
Castor oil (the real one, not castor oil based 2 stroke oils) behaves the same. Except it actually does lubricate better the hotter the engine gets (within its physical limits of course). But use it in something that doesn't run that hot and good morning gunk.

I have seen such a mixed bag of comments...

My understanding is that chainsaws run very hot and chainsaw-specific 2stroke oils have to be very resistant to heat, but don't have to actually lubricate that well. Had that discussion decades ago when Stihl oil made it to the old country and everyone with anything 2 stroke jumped on it like it was the best thing after sliced bread.
Castor oil (the real one, not castor oil based 2 stroke oils) behaves the same. Except it actually does lubricate better the hotter the engine gets (within its physical limits of course). But use it in something that doesn't run that hot and good morning gunk.

Buckin Billy Ray Smith uses mineral oil unless he has changed. smh at that. I prefer to use the very best combination of lubrication and cleanliness, whatever that is. Hot weather, cold weather, heavy load or not... is one oil and one ratio all that is available for multiple types of equipment on the same day???? Which one oil with one ratio can perform the best under that scenario? The best I've used so far is Amsoil Saber @ 50:1, but I will try several motorcycle oils soon. My 029, old but in great condition, weakling chainsaw will gobble any oil, but I have to say that Honda HP2 @ 50:1 cleaned that thing's piston in one day, and left it shiny and wet with a clean exhaust and sparkplug. It left too much carbon in my br800 blower.

 

[goblin]

I have seen such a mixed bag of comments...

Buckin Billy Ray Smith uses mineral oil unless he has changed. smh at that. I prefer to use the very best combination of lubrication and cleanliness, whatever that is. Hot weather, cold weather, heavy load or not... is one oil and one ratio all that is available for multiple types of equipment on the same day???? Which one oil with one ratio can perform the best under that scenario? The best I've used so far is Amsoil Saber @ 50:1, but I will try several motorcycle oils soon. My 029, old but in great condition, weakling chainsaw will gobble any oil, but I have to say that Honda HP2 @ 50:1 cleaned that thing's piston in one day, and left it shiny and wet with a clean exhaust and sparkplug. It left too much carbon in my br800 blower.

What I meant is that if memory serves - Stihl 2 stroke oil (the one specific for chainsaws) is tailored to chainsaw requirements - mostly to operating temps higher than what you'd see in 2 stroke motorcycles, but its lubricating abilities are not necessarily stellar and/or matched to motorcycle needs (different rpm ranges, exhaust valves that can gum up, etc). Info as of 20+ years ago.

 

[lilspenny]

What I meant is that if memory serves - Stihl 2 stroke oil (the one specific for chainsaws) is tailored to chainsaw requirements - mostly to operating temps higher than what you'd see in 2 stroke motorcycles, but its lubricating abilities are not necessarily stellar and/or matched to motorcycle needs (different rpm ranges, exhaust valves that can gum up, etc). Info as of 20+ years ago.

I have seen it posted umpteen times that Ultra was designed specifically for 4-mix engines. Honestly, there is no way that Ultra could be designed for a chainsaw and 4-mix and be the best oil for both. So, whichever one it is Stihl needs to get off the pot and fix that oil for the other one. Meanwhile, I think Ultra stinks, and it smells bad too. Ultra in the UK is rated FD. Wonder why we can't get that????

 

[goblin]

I have seen it posted umpteen times that Ultra was designed specifically for 4-mix engines. Honestly, there is no way that Ultra could be designed for a chainsaw and 4-mix and be the best oil for both. So, whichever one it is Stihl needs to get off the pot and fix that oil for the other one. Meanwhile, I think Ultra stinks, and it smells bad too. Ultra in the UK is rated FD. Wonder why we can't get that????

I don't disagree, because - as I mentioned above - my information is old and might no longer be relevant.