Opti-2 at 92:1?

[The_Eric]

Hey guys, I've decided to go the polar opposite in 2 stroke oil.. I'm a bit tired of smelling the smoke as I'm out there doing weed eating the ditches and other parts of the yards that I maintain.. Isn't Opti marketed as a 100:1 oil? Their 1.8 oz pouches mix at 71:1 in a gallon though? I buy alkylate fuel in a 1.3 gallon jug, so that would put me at 92.2:1 so I'm a bit torn. Should I mix at 71 or 92:1? I'm leaning towards 92:1...

I realize there are many who advocate mixes at 50, 40 and 32:1 and I'm usually one, I just want to try something different and if stuff blows up then ooops! I guess that would mean that I would have to upgrade.

 

[DCDG]

I gave up the gas & oil for volts but I always went with the manufacturers rec. last oil burner I had was a Poulan backpack blower ran a 50:1 had 0 issues and it never smelt either. People got to knock it off with the EPA bashing the machines run just fine on 50:1 mix with that said 2.6 oz per 1 gal of fuel. Ethanol free is the way to go these days but I used 87 or 89 for years higher octane is unnecessary and offers no benefit in running performance.

 

[FowVay]

I've run Opti-2 at 100:1 (1.3 oz/gallon) and never had a issue. I got a whole box of the 1.8 ounce packets from Tractor supply for $.25 each and I opened them all up and squeezed them into a old quart container and then mixed to my own ratio.

I've settled into a simple 2 ounce/gallon on my Opti and Saber and never looked back. This gives me a 64:1 ratio, plenty of lubrication and a great smell in the air as I watch the sunset over the horizon.

 

[Nukeman7]

Just my experience, but OPTI 2 is a lousy 2-stroke oil which does not burn clean and leaves oily deposits in the exhaust port and muffler.

If you are seeking a smoke-free (not smell free) experience, try the VP Racing full synthetic or Echo Red Armor oils mixed at 50:1 ratio. If you want to sample a good, inexpensive canned alkylate fuel, get a quart can of PowerCare pre-mix at Home Depot for $5. It is actually relabeled VP Racing canned fuel.

 

[DCDG]

Used this for ages from my childhood up to manhood. Why complicate the market with these micro oil brewers

 

[Brian123]

I'm a bit tired of smelling the smoke as I'm out there doing weed eating the ditches and other parts of the yards that I maintain.

Make sure you have a mask on, so you do not breathe any junk in. Use Amsoil Saber Pro!

Isn't Opti marketed as a 100:1 oil?

Marketing!

I realize there are many who advocate mixes at 50, 40 and 32:1

Depends on how you are using your equipment. Regarding Amsoil Saber Pro for your Weed Eater, I run my weed eater, chainsaw, and blower at 40 to 1 with Amsoil Saber Pro, could I do 50 to 1 or higher, sure. This Amsoil Saber Pro is an interesting 2 stroke oil with both the trimmer and chainsaw, whether the equipment is at idle or running full blast there is no crazy smell or maybe carbon buildup that I have seen.

I have seen issues with using Opti-2 at 100 to 1, but this is with chainsaws.

 

[OM617YOTA]

I have a confession: I'm kind of a thicky when it comes to four stroke oil, and I'm definitely a richy when it comes to two stroke mix. 32:1 when I'm rolling my own, 40:1 if it's canned premix.

I'm on another forum and people keep trying to run leaner and leaner 2 stroke oil ratios there too. I will never understand why people keep trying to see how close they can get to running their engine without oil.

As far as I'm concerned if you don't want to run oil, then get battery electric. Not knocking it at all, all my yard equipment is battery electric.

 

[fantastic]

I had to go 60:1 for the wife but I've been curious about this stuff & their claims. I know after going to that ratio it kept clogging the spark arrestor for several times but hasn't done it for a while. It was most likely cleaning the piston & rings with the extra ratio of fuel. Stihl FS 40C bought June 2015, for $177, still ripping our grass.

 

[fantastic]

I have a confession: I'm kind of a thicky when it comes to four stroke oil, and I'm definitely a richy when it comes to two stroke mix. 32:1 when I'm rolling my own, 40:1 if it's canned premix.

I'm on another forum and people keep trying to run leaner and leaner 2 stroke oil ratios there too. I will never understand why people keep trying to see how close they can get to running their engine without oil.

As far as I'm concerned if you don't want to run oil, then get battery electric. Not knocking it at all, all my yard equipment is battery electric.

Battery is excellent for a postage stamp yard but for any length of patio only a ICE weed eater will work. I've been there & done that! Like OP states they simply don't want to breathe in the nasty emissions from the 2 stroke. 4 cycles are heavier so that may not work either. It's one reason I won't do it for the wife (too heavy). I'm sort of a thicky too but with 2 cycle I'd love a nice clean burning experience!

 

[OM617YOTA]

Battery is excellent for a postage stamp yard but for any length of patio only a ICE weed eater will work. I've been there & done that! Like OP states they simply don't want to breathe in the nasty emissions from the 2 stroke. 4 cycles are heavier so that may not work either. It's one reason I won't do it for the wife (too heavy). I'm sort of a thicky too but with 2 cycle I'd love a nice clean burning experience!

Battery definitely isn't for everyone, and I used to think that they were only for small yards too.

I have four batteries and three chargers(I'm aware not everyone does), and can weed-eat or use any of the other equipment 100% continuously. I do have to stop and change batteries, but by then I'm ready for a drink of water too. Not a big deal.

 

[IndyIan]

Maybe just try leaning the carbs out a bit if the plugs are black or close to it? I would rather go a to a medium-light tan plug on 32:1, as then you are getting clean combustion, and still lubricating the engine. I think a lot of the 2t smell is unburnt fuel from a rich carb setting, and the oil ratio isn't a going to fix that.

Also, I guess it depends on your trimming, if the engine is mostly idling with a few blips then going to a low oil mix probably doesn't matter, but if its WO for nearly the whole tank, then it might not last long.

 

[lilspenny]

Hey guys, I've decided to go the polar opposite in 2 stroke oil.. I'm a bit tired of smelling the smoke as I'm out there doing weed eating the ditches and other parts of the yards that I maintain.. Isn't Opti marketed as a 100:1 oil? Their 1.8 oz pouches mix at 71:1 in a gallon though? I buy alkylate fuel in a 1.3 gallon jug, so that would put me at 92.2:1 so I'm a bit torn. Should I mix at 71 or 92:1? I'm leaning towards 92:1...

I realize there are many who advocate mixes at 50, 40 and 32:1 and I'm usually one, I just want to try something different and if stuff blows up then ooops! I guess that would mean that I would have to upgrade.

Opti stinks to me. I like the smell of CrossPower 2t, what little smell there is.

 

[fantastic]

Battery definitely isn't for everyone, and I used to think that they were only for small yards too.

I have four batteries and three chargers(I'm aware not everyone does), and can weed-eat or use any of the other equipment 100% continuously. I do have to stop and change batteries, but by then I'm ready for a drink of water too. Not a big deal.

I bought a 20v Dewalt when they launched their weed eater & bought several batteries like you mentioned. It wasn't enough for our 0.50 acre lot. I'm certain the higher voltage ones will cut much better. For how much they charge for a two pack of batteries I could buy several ICE weed eaters though.

 

[doitmyself]

Just some general opinions. I've been running Stihl equipment at my workplace without issues for over 4 decades by just following the owner's manual recommendations. I was taught that 2 cycle engines are designed to operate best at wide open throttle under load. Too much idling is not good. Running at half-throttle, load or no load is not the best.

Another concept many don't understand is that running significantly more oil in your mix actually means that the engine is running leaner on gasoline (more oil = less gasoline). Think about it. This may require carburetor tweaking to compensate, which many don't have the technical knowledge to comprehend/perform. And, increasingly many 2 cycle engines no longer have easy accessible carb adjustments. Why not just follow the owner's manual?

I wonder if people are having engine issues because they simply don't follow the general principles above? I.E., piddling around the yard with the string trimmer at half-throttle with the incorrect fuel mix much of the time.

 

[DCDG]

Just some general opinions. I've been running Stihl equipment at my workplace without issues for over 4 decades by just following the owner's manual recommendations. I was taught that 2 cycle engines are designed to operate best at wide open throttle under load. Too much idling is not good. Running at half-throttle, load or no load is not the best.

Another concept many don't understand is that running significantly more oil in your mix actually means that the engine is running leaner on gasoline (more oil = less gasoline). Think about it. This may require carburetor tweaking to compensate, which many don't have the technical knowledge to comprehend/perform. And, increasingly many 2 cycle engines no longer have easy accessible carb adjustments. Why not just follow the owner's manual?

I wonder if people are having engine issues because they simply don't follow the general principles above? I.E., piddling around the yard with the string trimmer at half-throttle with the incorrect fuel mix much of the time.

Pretty accurate, most think more than they actually know. Why? because most live in a more is better mental state.

 

[super20dan]

used opti 2 for years but at 72/1 good stuff but not worth the price. i go tru a lot of 2cycle oil in my lawn biz. at least a gallon a day in gas/oil mix.

 

[rekit]

The RC airplane guys are using scented oil in some 2 stroke planes. JEGS has cotton candy, grape, bubble gum, as do other companies. Maybe even Margurita. I like good old school Castor Bean myself.

 

[Japanese]

Hey guys, I've decided to go the polar opposite in 2 stroke oil.. I'm a bit tired of smelling the smoke as I'm out there doing weed eating the ditches and other parts of the yards that I maintain.. Isn't Opti marketed as a 100:1 oil?

Both that Opti-2 and Amsoil Saber are higher viscosity oils that's why they are advertised that can be run at 100:1. Their viscosity is the same as 40 grade motor oil. I don't know what is the difference in their additive packages.

If it's me - I would't run any equipment at lower ratio than 50:1, but since that oil is thicker I wouldn't go below 65:1.
If you want to make it smells better add a bit like 160:1 or 200:1 castor oil and will smell fantastic. If you want to run it at 100:1 I would definitely add also 100:1 castor oil.
Or just buy another better smelling 2-stroke oil.

 

[ripcord]

I ran A LOT of Opti-2 in a commercial setting and had really, really great service from it. My saws always lasted longer than the guys who ran Echo or Stihl oil at 50:1. I ran it with regular E10 87 octane at 1.8 oz per gallon or about 72:1. I tried running it at 50:1 but my saws didn't like it that thick. At 72:1 my saws never fouled plugs, or carboned up. I recommend it.

 

[2013ecof150]

I tried opti a couple of years ago at the 1.8 oz / 71:1 ratio in a duraforce Lawnboy that calls for a 32:1 ratio. The mower ran better and even picked up a few rpms. Had absolutely no issues with it.

I called the people at opti, I think the company is called Interlube ( I could be wrong). A lady told me not to mix it any thicker than the 71:1 ratio, even for severe service because of its viscosity.