cwatkin
ArboristSite Member
I have recently been seeing a lot of "multi-mix" oils out there. My dad has been using the Opti-2 oil packets for his mixes for years and uses this in all his two cycle equipment. He has worn some out but it had lots of hours on it and I cannot say this is due to the oil mix used. He also had a chainsaw that had a mount for the carburator come loose. This was a 42 cc Craftsman made by Poulan and it had cut a LOT of wood. By the time I saw this unit, it wasn't running and had virtually no compression. I got it back together and running but only if you have it running wide open. The compression is so bad that tt will not idle and is basically shot. I blame this on a likely very lean air to fuel ration which likely ran it very hot and the fact that any dirt and dust had an easy path around the air cleaner and right into the engine.
I have been seeing similar oils to Opti-2 in big box stores now. Are these multi-mix oils a good idea for most two-cycle equipment? It would be convenient to have one mix but was wondering how good this oil lubricates.
I personally have mostly Stihl equipment and run their HP Ultra synthetic (white or silver bottle) at a ratio of 40:1 or slightly higher. I sometimes have 40:1 equipment around and have been told by experienced loggers that their saws seem to last longer when run at a richer ratio. They have told me that this seemed to become a bigger issue when alcohol became so common in gas. I have heard it both runs hotter and is sometimes chemically incompatible with the oil, preventing it from adhering to metal parts of an engine. Either way, the guys with the MS-400 and MS-600 series saws around here seem to do this so I figure they are doing it for a reason.
What do people here think of multi-mix oils? Note: I also own a 4-mix FS-250 trimmer that is technically a 4 stroke engine but runs on a 2 cycle mix. I figure it wouldn't hurt the saws as much but this 4-mix is new to me so I figure I would rather stay with the manufacturer's oil on this one.
Also, are the synthetic oils worth the extra cost? Stihl doubles the warranty on most of their stuff if you buy a 6 pack of the oil at the time of purchase.
Does anyone here have a preference for oil types backed up by personal experience? I have read lots of good things about the Stihl synthetic but have nothing bad to say about the stuff in the orange bottle. I have also heard that the Echo oil is very good but it isn't easy to find in my area. Basically, I want a good oil that I can walk into any saw shop and purchase when needed. I do not want to have to order online and such.
Thanks,
Conor
I have been seeing similar oils to Opti-2 in big box stores now. Are these multi-mix oils a good idea for most two-cycle equipment? It would be convenient to have one mix but was wondering how good this oil lubricates.
I personally have mostly Stihl equipment and run their HP Ultra synthetic (white or silver bottle) at a ratio of 40:1 or slightly higher. I sometimes have 40:1 equipment around and have been told by experienced loggers that their saws seem to last longer when run at a richer ratio. They have told me that this seemed to become a bigger issue when alcohol became so common in gas. I have heard it both runs hotter and is sometimes chemically incompatible with the oil, preventing it from adhering to metal parts of an engine. Either way, the guys with the MS-400 and MS-600 series saws around here seem to do this so I figure they are doing it for a reason.
What do people here think of multi-mix oils? Note: I also own a 4-mix FS-250 trimmer that is technically a 4 stroke engine but runs on a 2 cycle mix. I figure it wouldn't hurt the saws as much but this 4-mix is new to me so I figure I would rather stay with the manufacturer's oil on this one.
Also, are the synthetic oils worth the extra cost? Stihl doubles the warranty on most of their stuff if you buy a 6 pack of the oil at the time of purchase.
Does anyone here have a preference for oil types backed up by personal experience? I have read lots of good things about the Stihl synthetic but have nothing bad to say about the stuff in the orange bottle. I have also heard that the Echo oil is very good but it isn't easy to find in my area. Basically, I want a good oil that I can walk into any saw shop and purchase when needed. I do not want to have to order online and such.
Thanks,
Conor