Why 2-cycle oil in gasoline?

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Russell

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What is the advantage of adding 2-cycle oil in gasoline? Does it, lubricate, improve mileage, help combustion or what?

If it helps gasoline, why is it not provided by teh gas companies?

TIA
 
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"we all believe him and use it"

A very small portion of people do that.

People use it as an upper cylinder lube. I don't see the need, though. You can see engines with 200,000 miles and the crosshatching is still there on engines that don't use it. Really, the engine oil is already coating what the UCL does, at least on a well designed properly functioning engine.

But, at 500:1 it's probably not hurting anything, either.
 
I'm pretty sure the basic premise is that it's supposed to lubricate like oil, but also burn cleanly so that it doesn't leave deposits.

No idea how that plays out in practice. There are a lot of variables involved in determining whether the payoff is worth it, and I'm not sure anyone here even knows what they all are...
 
Originally Posted By: Captain_Klink
some guy called Sarge uses it, and talks like he is an expert, so we all believe him and use it because he does.


People have been using it long before Sarge started posting on the internet. Seems to be working well for a lot of people, that thread & Sarge just back it up. Smoother idle, better running car, & better MPG's, for many of the users. It's not placebo for everyone. But then again, using it isn't for everyone either!
 
There is no way 2-stroke oil in the gas will increase MPG. Oil does not burn as good as gas does

If anything it will burn less efficient as in any 2-stoke motor. The lubrication system of an automotive engine is designed to lubricate the upper cylinder area with pressurised crankcase oil spray.
 
Fuel chemistry has changed over he last 30 years. It is changing every day as the different crudes that we get require different levels of processing, etc. to meet the basic specs. This can change the lubricating qualities of the fuel, both on fuel system parts and as an UCL. In some cases, adds offer some protection or better operation compared to straight fuel. It can be in the engine, in the fuel system. Even just noted in how the fuel pump hums. Lots of folks get along fine without it, but lots of folks encounter issues of one sort or another too.
 
Basically adding 2-cycle oil to your gas is a "feel good" move, nothing more. Any perceived real benefit is very questionable.

Does it hurt anything? Probably not.
 
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
There is no way 2-stroke oil in the gas will increase MPG. Oil does not burn as good as gas does

If anything it will burn less efficient as in any 2-stoke motor. The lubrication system of an automotive engine is designed to lubricate the upper cylinder area with pressurised crankcase oil spray.


There are many people reporting better MPGS. Top oils can make a better seal between the rings and the cylinder walls increasing compression slightly especially in older engines. It gets to the upper cylinder areas where oil supply is very low. Better compression = a better running engine. In some cases slight mpg increases, especially in older engines. When I was keeping mpg records I was recording gains in mpgs with the addition of MMO in the gas in my high mile Aerostar. Many members here have reported similar results with TCW3 as well.
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
There is no way 2-stroke oil in the gas will increase MPG. Oil does not burn as good as gas does

If anything it will burn less efficient as in any 2-stoke motor. The lubrication system of an automotive engine is designed to lubricate the upper cylinder area with pressurised crankcase oil spray.


There are many people reporting better MPGS. Top oils can make a better seal between the rings and the cylinder walls increasing compression slightly especially in older engines. It gets to the upper cylinder areas where oil supply is very low. Better compression = a better running engine. In some cases slight mpg increases, especially in older engines. When I was keeping mpg records I was recording gains in mpgs with the addition of MMO in the gas in my high mile Aerostar. Many members here have reported similar results with TCW3 as well.


The only way to really tell if 2-stroke oil is responsible for an increase in fuel economy is to do a test under controlled conditions. You would need to use the same batch of fuel, the air should be the same temperature and humidity level, the wind would have to be the same speed and from the same direction, the exact same route would have to be taken, and the throttle position would also have to be controlled and be consistent. A double blind study would also be helpful. Anything less is really not a scientific study and not really accurate.
 
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im been using 2 cycle for a year now i have seen better idle, smoother driving faster startups. I dont care about MPG I get 10 in the city. Im rebuilding my tranny right now and pulled out some plugs they looked very good for being a year old. i had been having problems with fouling plugs out but after i started using the 2 cycle I quit fouling out plugs and cap and rotors. A lot of you might think it does not work It does you people buying other cleaners your spending 5 dollars plus. and that is for one tankful i bought a gallon for 15 bucks think what you peoplw want but it works for me
 
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
There is no way 2-stroke oil in the gas will increase MPG. Oil does not burn as good as gas does

If anything it will burn less efficient as in any 2-stoke motor. The lubrication system of an automotive engine is designed to lubricate the upper cylinder area with pressurised crankcase oil spray.


There are many people reporting better MPGS. Top oils can make a better seal between the rings and the cylinder walls increasing compression slightly especially in older engines. It gets to the upper cylinder areas where oil supply is very low. Better compression = a better running engine. In some cases slight mpg increases, especially in older engines. When I was keeping mpg records I was recording gains in mpgs with the addition of MMO in the gas in my high mile Aerostar. Many members here have reported similar results with TCW3 as well.


The only way to really tell if 2-stroke oil is responsible for an increase in fuel economy is to do a test under controlled conditions. You would need to use the same batch of fuel, the air should be the same temperature and humidity level, the wind would have to be the same speed and from the same direction, the exact same route would have to be taken, and the throttle position would also have to be controlled and be consistent. A double blind study would also be helpful. Anything less is really not a scientific study and not really accurate.


While I agree with most of what you're saying, there are just too many people that are noticing improvements in mpgs and performance to dismiss it totally. I believe MMO or TCW3 makes a better seal between the piston and the rings especially in older engines. The better seal would make for a smoother idle and better mpgs. Older engines IMO have the most to gain, in a newer engine I would think the use of a top oil would reduce ring and cyl wall wear. I think the Marvel people have already tested and proven that many years ago.
 
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
There is no advantage that has been proven. Only speculation by some


I have seen proof that it prevents corrosion in carburetor bowls. 2-stroke oil is designed to leave an anti corrosion film on the inside of 2-stroke engines when the fuel evaporates.

I have also noticed about .25 mpg improvement, but this can't be substantiated because the operating environment can't be duplicated 100% each time. Regardless, I think I am getting better mileage and helping my fuel system last longer.
 
Originally Posted By: hate2work

Basically adding 2-cycle oil to your gas is a "feel good" move, nothing more. Any perceived real benefit is very questionable.

Does it hurt anything? Probably not.
People add all sorts of goofy stuff to gasoline. 2-stroke engine oil is one of the least harmful things they can put in.

For those who claim a fuel consumption decrease...have you factored in the cost of the oil that you add to the gas? Does it actually give you a lower total fuel cost per mile?
 
Originally Posted By: Ken2
Originally Posted By: hate2work

Basically adding 2-cycle oil to your gas is a "feel good" move, nothing more. Any perceived real benefit is very questionable.

Does it hurt anything? Probably not.
People add all sorts of goofy stuff to gasoline. 2-stroke engine oil is one of the least harmful things they can put in.

For those who claim a fuel consumption decrease...have you factored in the cost of the oil that you add to the gas? Does it actually give you a lower total fuel cost per mile?


There have been several threads over the years showing the savings. Off the top of my head the cost to treat 20 gallons is about 45 cents using TCW3. If it saved 1 gallon of gas per 20 gallons of fuel, that would be about $2.90 in NY. Half a gallon of gas per tank $1.45. So if my math is correct there is a savings. Now based on what I've read on another site, [100's and 100's of posts], and in my own testing a half gallon to a gallon of gas/tank seems reasonable. c3po has been testing MMO for quite some time now and has saved quite a bit of money adding MMO to gas. HTH

Edit: For some people the savings is even more, others notice no gain or loss in mpgs.
 
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Originally Posted By: bigmike
I've never used 2-cycle in the gas. Why ratio should I be looking for if I wanted to try it?



Make sure you get TCW3 [oil used for 2 cycle water cooled engines] and not Two Cycle oil. 1 ounce/5 gallons of gas seems to be the amount that people have been using. Unlike MMO a strong dose of TCW3 will foul plugs. HTH
 
I've used it for over 3 years now and see no reason to stop.

At $.25c to treat 10 gallons, I need only an extra 2.5 miles over 250 to break even, or +1%.

I think I get around +5%

Even so, it's a good product to use even if it cost a lil money.

I took out the CRV plugs after 50k mi on 2C and they were perfectly clean.
 
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