Outboard vs Universal 2-cycle oil

Is there any reason I can't use

Sprallmart's Super Tech TC-W3 Outboard Oil
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-TC-W3-Outboard-Oil-16-fl-oz/16913695

In my lawn and garden equipment instead of

Sprallmart's Super Tech Universal 2-Cycle Engine Oil
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-Universal-2-Cycle-Engine-Oil-8-fl-oz/16913734

They seem to be constantly out of the Universal and I swear they have them the same price at my store or perhaps they have them labeled incorrectly. I'm just wonder if the outboard oil is bad for my blower, weedwacker, and chainsaws.
 
I asked that question after burning up a lawn mower engine using outboard motor oil in it. Outboard oil is wax-based and works better in a water-cooled engine. The oil-based chain-saw type lube works better in an engine where there is less control over operating temperatures.
 
Thanks!
I'm glad you told me. I figured it was less polluting to waterways or something and probably just a good.
Sprallmart will have the other again soon I'm sure I'll just have to keep checking and remember not to let my supply get too low at any given time.

Thanks again!
 
Use only oil that's rated JASO FC, JASO FD, ISO-L-EGC or ISO-L-EGD in your outdoor power equipment. All four specs are similar. TC-W3 oil is intended for water-cooled engines and does NOT meet these specs.
 
The reality is - yes you CAN use it and do fine if careful and mix a little extra with some machines. It wasn't long ago that big-name companies like Stihl allowed plain 30W motor oil to be mixed with gas instead of the premium two-stroke-cycle oils. Sthil recommends 25 to 1 with 30W motor oil and 40 to 1 with premium 2-stroke oil made for air-cooled engines. Also 50 to 1 with some high-end oils.

I've been using nothing but the Walmart Super-Tech TCW oil in all my stuff for years and done fine. Chainsaws, weed-eaters, outboards and also in my diesel fuel. I've had zero problems. Only slight glitch you might encounter is this. If you have a carb with a fixed main jet - and you add extra oil - it will run leaner. Not an issue when you've got an adjustable main jet and can just open it up a bit.
 
I would not recommend using oil designed for outboard motors in chain saws, lawn mowers etc. Different specifications. Far as wax based, well, all of the base oils being used today for blending into various lubricating oils for engines are paraffin based. Google it.
 
My observations regarding your question;
For years I would use up whatever mixed gas was left over in my boat tanks so it would not go bad sitting.
String trimmer, auger and old Homelite chainsaw never had a problem.
Stihl chainsaw I was thinking it was time for a rebuild or new one, it was running rough and hot and going through spark plugs like crazy.
Spent a few dollars and bought some of the fancy synthetic two stroke oil and it runs like a brand new saw again.
 
JD, whether it is a good idea to run ashless TC-W rated oil in outdoor power equipment has already been determined by the power equipment manufacturers, and they are pretty much unanimous in their opinion. Their concerns with TC-W oil led to development of the JASO and ISO oil specs. What recommendations Stihl made back in the Paleozoic Era are irrelevant because the TC-W rating didn't exist them. (The earlier "TC" rated oil was good for both air and water-cooled engines.)

If you google "bia tcw site:stihlusa.com", you'll get close to two hundred hits, mostly Stihl owner's manuals that include the phrase "Do not use BIA or TCW (two-stroke water cooled) mix oils!" I assume the exclamation point means they're serious about it.

The only reason to use outboard motor oil in outdoor power equipment is to save a few bucks. Given the price of new equipment, that sure sounds like false economy to me. Stihl will double the warranty period of their tools IF you purchase a six-pack of their "Ultra" oil at the same time you purchase the tool. I'd say they really want you to use the right oil.
 
Dang! I hate to hear this after using TCW oil for the last 30+ years in my Stihls and Lawnboys and weedeaters.

Never have had an engine failure, always mixed 40:1.

I wonder what the current specs on toilet paper are? Maybe I ought to ditch the old Charmin for some other newer brand..I"ll have to read what the makers say never can tell, might keep me from blowing a seal in my rearend.......hehe!
 
When I first worked as a tree-cutter for the power company back in late 60s - all we had were poorly build Homelite saws and 30W motor oil for mix (XL101, 5-30, etc.). Early 70s we switched to Sthil (040,S10, etc.). Used nothing but 30W in them and I still have two of them. So 40 plus years later they still run fine. Nobody is going to convince me their useful lifespans were shortened by inferior oil. My "new" Stihl 045 Super that I got mid 80s still runs fine an has never had anything but TCW oil in it. 30 years old and still going.
And yes - I also have a few truly new saws. Two Dolmars, two EFCOs, one Echo, and a few Homelite-like Poulan Pro junkers. I use 20 to 1 mix of TCW oil in all. Why? Less confusion. One mix goes in all my 2-stroke-cycle stuff.
I understand that there are better oils that can endure more heat stress and a "richer" mix - like 50 to 1 instead of 20 to 1 (or 16 to 1). Much of the tweaking the new oils is to get emissions down by burning less oil. I don't disagree with that fact.
The guy who started this post asked if the TCW oil was OK. The answer is - yes - if used right.
 
JD, YOUR answer is "yes", but the answer from pretty much every manufacturer of outdoor power equipment is "no".

Now, if you choose to ignore the manufacturer's recommendations to save a few bucks and use an oil which is not even intended for use in chainsaws, that's your business. But I don't see where you get off advising Chris to use an oil that will void the warranty of any new equipment he has.
 
I have used Opti-2 in every 2 cycle engine I have for 20+ yrs with no problems, chainsaws, outboards and anything else that is 2 cycle
 
I did not "advise" anyone to do anything. You are making things up. He asked a question and I answered it. New manufacturers have to recommend low oil mixes due to emissions regs - not for longevity.
 
Why are you buying your 2-stroke oil at Walmart? You refer to them using the (presumed) derogatory term "Sprallmart" which means you don't hold them in high regard. If you hate them so much why are you even shopping there?

Do your civic duty as an American and buy your oil from the local hardware store or small chainsaw dealer for 3X as much.
 

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