OT: More 2 cycle oil??

[PJH]

I didn't want to hijack the post below.

My Stihl dealer was showing me the new (to me) 2 cycle Stihl oil that he stocks. He has three types of oil: the regular oil that I've used for years, a little better oil that I bought but haven't tried yet, and a "super duper" oil (synthetic?) that I felt guilty about not buying. These three oils were priced according to their supposed "goodness", with the best probably double the cost of the cheapest.

Dealer said that Stihl had tested the three oils on engines and determined that each of the two newer oils had a marked reduction in cylinder wear, with the best of the three showing almost no wear after the test.

Have any of you oil guys used these new oils? I've had good luck with the old oil, but I'm interested in keeping my good old saws in the best shape possible. Still, I'm reluctant to change something that seems to work OK already.

You know, oil isn't really that expensive. I cut around 20 pickup loads of wood per year. Probably don't burn 5 gallons of gas all year long.

Paul

 

[Northbender]

I have been using the synthetic oil in my Stihl chainsaws, I had to have one worked on awhile back. I had been using it alot, when they went throught the carb he wanted to see what the rest of it looked like, asked if I was using synthetic cause cylinder walls looked practically brand new, saw is about ten years old. After that I'm going to keep using the synthetic.

 

[Butch(OH)]

Basicaly the decission has little to due with how long your saws internals will last and a lot to do with less smoke emissions, less frequent spark plug changes and a little easier starting when its real old out with the synthetics. We switched from the orange bottle oil to Ultra a couple years ago because it is required in our 4-Mix trimmers.

What most people dont realise is that very, very darn few saw motors are ruined by the mixing oil qualities. They are ruined by lack of any oil in the fuel and by being operated lean and the results of that are blamed on the mixing oil.

 

[MarkB_MI]

What you want for your saws is a two-cycle oil that meets the requirements of JASO FD or ISO EGD. These specs are essentially the same (JASO is from Japan, ISO EGD is from Europe). As long as the oil meets one of those specs, it's the best you can get. Mix the oil according to the directions on the bottle, NOT according to your saw's owner's manual. (The manual was probably written before the new specs came out.)

What you do NOT want to use is any oil that is rated TC-W, TC-WII or TC-W3. These are made specifically for water-cooled outboard motors that run at much lower temperatures than outdoor power equipment.

As for one ISO FD oil being better than another (which is what it sounds like your dealer is suggesting), I'd ask to see the test results. My guess is he made it up to sell you a higher priced oil.

I've used Opti-2 for many years. This is an ISO EGD-rated oil, and I have no complaints with it. As you say, it makes no sense to skimp on oil.

The link below gives a rundown on the different oil specs.
2 stroke oil specs PDF

 

[JoeBob-IN]

I use a high quality synthetic pre-mix in all my two stroke engines. Rather expensive compared to other oils BUT probably cheaper in the long run. I run Amsoil Sabre at 80:1. I use less oil per gallon, almost half. So technically it could cost twice as much and be the same price per gallon of pre-mixed fuel. There are major benefits to this particular oil. As some others said, very little cylinder wear and almost no smoke. Little oil means long spark plug life. Now go ahead and tell me how running a lean mixture will ruin my saw and I will tell you that I have ported the muffler and actually leaned the carb out a bit which is the opposite of what I should have done. She will flat out cut and scream. Been like this for three years now and I still have no scratches on the cylinder walls. Most likely with any other oil this thing would be a pile of scrap. I can say how good the quality of Stihl's oil is or anyone else's but I can guarantee Amsoil's quality. The oil was actually tested extensively at a 200:1 ratio with no more wear than at 50:1. Hard to beleive but I can attest to it. Remember not all oils are alike and not all synthetic's are true synthetic's nor as good as each other.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Exactly what I would say if I was selling the expensive brand.. The test proved.... trust me... find out more on that test.
I find ordinary lubricating oil works well.
Remember when buying a new motor mower..the decal said " use only BP Zoom" crap.In cahoots..

 

[PJH]

Thanks for all of your comments.

Paul