Red Armor vs Walmart 2 cycle oil- or other alternative
- Thread starter clydesdale
- Start date
Going to say the unpopular opinion (with evidence of the last 25+ years) that it doesn’t matter in saws specifically. Everyone hates Stihl oil but my dad and I have both used it for over 25 years now with no issues. Saws still run strong (some of the saws have been in service the same timeframe). I’ve ran other brands for short stints but ultimately go back to Stihl because my dad has a large stock of it to use up.
I think the canned fuel can vary greatly. In certain high volume sales areas it may be possible it works fine. If the hardware store takes 8-12 months to get thru it, you may have what chickanic is demonstrating.
I have only used the echo canned fuel and it was fantastic. Too expensive though.
I have only used the echo canned fuel and it was fantastic. Too expensive though.
yeah, that proves it for sure. wow
Trufuel is the only fuel I've ever used in my 7-8 year old Echo SRM225 weed trimmer and it runs like a champ. Seems like it doesn't work well for some people for whatever reason.
Shes been saying that true fuel is bad for awhile and at the same time saying echo canned fuel is fine. They are made by the same exact company. Don't tell me one is bad and the other is fine when its the same stuff in the can.
I use sabre at 40:1.Amsoil Sabre (mixed at 40 or 50:1) Please stop mixing it at 100:1!
What? Been mixing Sabre at 100:1 for 30 years or more. My Stihl Pro saws and leaf blower rip with it…
I also run a pro saw. I'm not comfortable running 100:1 in a $1400 chainsaw!
Not to get too far off the topic, but with engineered fuels (canned pre-mix) I have had varying degrees of success with it running smooth in my machines when it first hit the market. Most of the difference seems to come down to age of product. Have used some Trufuel that worked great, and some that did not. The fuels that didn't were usually from Big Orange or Big Blue box stores where they show like 5000 cans in stock so you know some of that had to be sitting around for a while. Always had good results from VP, but finally gave up on all canned fuel as it is too expensive. Now, I use Red Armor or VP oil @~40-45:1 in 93 octane E0 (finally found a reliable source near me) with Ethanol Shield added for water absorption, oxidation reduction, corrosion inhibitors, and metal deactivators.
I use Honda HP2 at 40:1
He's not the only one having issues with trufuel. I still buy premixed fuel but I get anything but trufuel.
Right, but is it the product, or is it what the product is doing to a compromised system?
Have used Red Armor and the Husqvarna in a can aswell when I found a deal or Trufuel was not in stock, no difference in performance. Sucks they are having issues with such a proven product.
I also tested Sabre, mixed in the Trufuel non mix, again no issues. In fact, I think that is what is in my last generator right now, filled about two years ago. It will start immediately.
That is my testimony to the OP.
I am not going to argue my own opinion, I gave it, and thats that. My opinion is based off of usage, and experience with the product for over a decade. Hard use, and long storage. Not one issue.
There might be an issue, I have just not had one.
Yes you're not the only one that hasn't had issues. But someone who works on them regularly has had multiple instances where nothing but draining the trufuel and replacing with their fuel fixed it ....my small engine repair guy told my friend and I to mix our own gas because he's seen with the pre bottled fuel (didn't know what brand but tru fuel is the most commonly available here) seemed to not have enough oil in it and seized up a few engines.
I had issues with my old leaf blower but I was unaware of potential fuel problems and I was using trufuel. It's enough of a risk for to just buy one of the other options like Stihl, Husqvarna, vp racing, or lately Harvest King at TSC because it was on sale very cheap.
I have not had to buy much in the last year. Maybe there has been an issue? Not sure. Fuel in a can still gets my vote over pump gas.
I've not used the VP oil, it does seem diluted and quite thin during the "shake test". But as always any EG-D or FD oil is likely to be excellent.
As I've said many times, 32 to 1 is a smart choice with regard to mixture ratio. Our testing showed increased wear when less oil was used.
Most modern engines when tuned correctly, will not smoke when using 32 to 1, with an EG-D oil.
Oils like the above mentioned Klotz are also excellent and will provide superb protection.
As I've said many times, 32 to 1 is a smart choice with regard to mixture ratio. Our testing showed increased wear when less oil was used.
Most modern engines when tuned correctly, will not smoke when using 32 to 1, with an EG-D oil.
Oils like the above mentioned Klotz are also excellent and will provide superb protection.
The fact that she is not the only one who has experienced is the reason I'm not taking the chance anymore.
Same here.
I still prefer fuel in can also, just other brands. I mixed some (recently with the red armor I found at home hardware) because I ran the leaf blower for hours....but in lesser used stuff like my chainsaw and trimmer I use the canned stuff and last tank of the season I will have canned fuel in it (currently vp).
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