40:1 in an MS261C-M??

[kennyz]

I just picked up an MS261C-M. So the service manager comes out with it after firing it up and making sure it was all set. I mention to him that a lot of guys recommend running it at 40:1 and he freaks out. " Don`t do that unless you want to destroy the saw" he says. What are your thoughts? What possible harm can it do? Obviously Stihl sticks by it`s recommendation of using 50:1.

 

[Kenskip1]

Tell the service manager to go fly a kite. 40-1 will not hurt your saw.For a brand new saw I was using 32-1 but 40 is fine. Should not have any problems. 50-1 is the bare minimum.40 is just that little bit of insurance.

 

[Tape]

I just bought the Ms250 and the ACE Hardware guy told me 50:1, should I use 40:1?

 

[Justin Taylor]

The only reason why 50-1 is a thing is for epa regulation but yes 40-1 is just fine and that’s what I run but I haven’t seen anything bad when people do run 50-1 on stock saws

 

[Andyshine77]

40:1 is fine, dealers often believe the Kool-Aid Stihl corporate tells them.

 

[L34]

Run 40:1 in my 441c.

 

[Matt93eg]

Guess all my saws are screwed since I run 32:1. Funny cause I ran my 390XP Friday to cut up a blow down and man did it eat.

 

[gary courtney]

32:1 in all my saws including m-tronic

 

[champion221elite]

Without turning this into an oil thread, I mix 3 ounces of oil to 1 gallon of fuel. The resulting mix is roughly 43:1

Been running this for years in all of my 2 cycle engines. No issues.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

I've run 40:1 exclusively in my 261 since new. No problems.

I will say that I've heard of problems running a thick mix (32:1+) in small saws with low loads, like for limbing. I think it's an issue with some oils and not others. Some guys run oils designed for 2-stroke racing and extreme loads. If you mix an oil like that at a high ratio and then don't get the saw hot enough long enough, you won't achieve combustion and you'll get carbon buildup. I wouldn't worry about running 32:1 in a 70+cc saw for long bucking cuts, but I'd stick to 40-50:1 in small saws in a limbing situation.

 

[1Alpha1]

I run 40:1 canned fuel in all my equipment.

 

[MontanaResident]

My ms290 was having some issues this year. I mixed some 50:1 (vs the 44:1, I was running) and the issues cleared up very quickly.

Slightly more oil sounds like a good idea, but can have detriments.

 

[Andyshine77]

My ms290 was having some issues this year. I mixed some 50:1 (vs the 44:1, I was running) and the issues cleared up very quickly.

Slightly more oil sounds like a good idea, but can have detriments.

The oil was not the problem. The difference is .2 of an ounce.

 

[MontanaResident]

The oil was not the problem. The difference is .2 of an ounce.

That is Amazing! Then it must have been running on a Friday vs. a Thursday?

If .2 ounces makes no difference, then why add it to begin with?

 

[Andyshine77]

That is Amazing! Then it must have been running on a Friday vs. a Thursday?

If .2 ounces makes no difference, then why add it to begin with?

It's actually less than that, I was rounding up. Have a good one.

 

[sb47]

More oil in the mix is not going to hurt anything, with the exception of maybe fouling a plug from time to time, if that. More oil means more lubing of all moving parts.

 

[Trail Blazer]

I split the difference and go approx. 45:1 or maybe slightly richer, but typically never any leaner than that. 372 XP, Husky 460, MS 250, and FS91 all seem to run well on that mix. I just figured a little rich is certainly better than a little lean.

 

[CR888]

Going by some arbitrary number for oil ratios makes little sense as 2T oils vary greatly in viscosity depending on what they are. You may have more oil @50:1 than 40:1 depending on the oils. This is where folks run into trouble, they'll here 32:1 is a great ratio & mix up some heavy duty high load, maximum protection bike oil up and wonder why their saw won't idle or run well. What I'm saying is 'how much' oil depends greatly on 'what' oil you intend to use & in what application you intend using it.

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

Ruin the saw? No, he's nuts if he thinks it'll ruin it.

However, I don't believe for a second that you'll run into any issues running 50:1 as it's designed to run. But if it makes you feel better to run it at 40:1, go for it.

 

[blsnelling]

Don't say anything to him. He's obviously misinformed. Take it home and do as you like. It'll run just fine!