Synthetic 2 cycle oil?

RayP(MI)

Well-known Member
Got a new chain saw the other day. Manual calls for synthetic oil for mixing with fuel, 50:1 mix. Got several containers of "UNIVERSAL" 2 cycle oil. Am I OK using that or should I do a search for the synthetic oil? Don't know if any local vendors even stock such a commodity. Looks like we're going to have an ice storm in the next day or so - 3/4 of an inch or more forecast. So I'm wanting to have my ducks in a row to cover the real possibilities of trees down and power lines down. Just checked my supply of generator gas, and should be good for a couple days there.
 
Stihl and others make a full synthetic oil. I switched to it several years ago. For the average user it is only a little more expensive, and I think it is worth it.
 
at 50:1 ratio you should be fine--I use tsc at 32:1--years ago i bought a little atv and the manual said 100:1 synthetic and 50:1 regular
 
You don't say what brand of saw ? I have a Sthil and have only used their 50:1 oil in it. No problems so far (knock on wood) I have also used this in other things and it makes them run better.
 
I started using Opti2 about 12 years ago when I bought a new Stihl saw and dealer said try it and Stihl would honor warranty saw using it. I use it in every thing because one mix will is good in my Stihl, Echo, Husky, and other machines. It doesn't stink, almost no smoke and screens in mufflers never have any carbon or oil (slobbering) on them.
 
I love Amsoil Interceptor 2 stroke synthetic in all my 2 strokes. It works great, I never had a problem.. I use it in my Dolmar 510 chainsaw and my Echo leaf blower..
 

I would suggest you read the manual again. Does it state you [u:7d32585008]must[/u:7d32585008] a use synthetic oil or synethetic oil is [u:7d32585008]recommended[/u:7d32585008]? Typically a manual will recommend a oil type/brand as being better however, it should state two stroke oils for air cooled engines are acceptable.

I recently went to a Husky chain saw and used the Husky oil because it was available at the local store I shopped. Before that I always run Lawn Boy oil in everything - I have a chain purchased in 2000 that has only seen the lawn boy oil with no problems. In the past I used to see the 50:1 mix ratios for synthetic oil and 32:1 mix ratio for regular oil. As I write this I am looking at two bottles of Husky oil; one is labeled, Professional Performance and the other is labeled, Premium Synthetic Blend. Both are for a 50:1 mix.

My manual states, for best results use Husqvarna two stroke oil. Never use two stroke oil for water cooled engines or oil intended for 4-stroke engines.
 
Lawn boy oil (at least the old stuff) is for slow running lawn boy mower engines. If you use it in a fast running chainsaw or weed whacker you will ruin it BTDT.
 
I agree. I have a load of 2 stroke stuff, some going back 40 years, each using a different ratio. As per the suggestions on this site I started using Opti2 (the same mix) in all and everything has been working great.
 
I would use what the manual says, especially for warranty purposes.

Synthetic has been around a while, shouldn't be hard to find.
 
There are two kinds of two-cycle oil sold today: Oil intended for water-cooled outboards and oil intended for air-cooled outdoor power equipment. The former is rated "TC-W3" and the latter typically is rated JASO FC, JASO FD, ISO-L-EGC or ISO-L-EGD. You want to use an oil that is rated JASO FD and/or ISO-L-EGD. If the manual says to use synthetic then use an oil that has one of those ratings AND is labeled "synthetic". Do not use an oil that doesn't have the FD or EGD rating.
 

Universal, one size fits all and average are all dangerous terms.
A water cooled outboard has lubrication requirements much different than a chain saw. A snowmobile or jet ski with variable exhaust ports can be ruined with ordinary two stroke oil.
 
Opti-2 can be used in water cooled two cycle outboards as long as oil is mixed in gas but if engine has oil injection you use Opti-2 for injection. Opt[-2 can also be used in all air cooled two cycle out door equipment (one mix for all) as long as it is not oil injected system.
 
Lawn boy oil works fine in a slow engine or a fast engine. There used to be an OMC plant here. They used barrels of Lawn Boy oil testing their boat engines.
 
Opti-2 is not a TC-W3 rated oil, so you void your warranty as soon as you use it in a water-cooled outboard. (For that matter, Opti-2 doesn't carry a JASO or ISO rating, either, although they claim to exceed ISO-L-EGD.) Opti-2 is a good oil for outdoor power equipment, but I wouldn't use it in an outboard.
 
You are not than familiar with OpTi-2 for injection. (Opti-2 Injection) is for water cooled out board motors that inject oil instead of mixing it with gasoline. Most guys that run down Opti-2 have never used it. The guys that have talked to that switched to it would never go back to what they were using. I have friends that use manufactures oil and smoke ,stink and mufflers have to have screens in mufflers cleaned. I have been using it for over 12 years and screens have no deposits and pistons look like new.
 
That ashless oil in the can they used to sell at the lawn mower display sure was not good for high speed engines. It worked great in there mowers however.
 
Mercury uses Opti-Max in all their outboard motors and have had no problems. It is their recommended for their outboard engines from the factory.
 
>Mercury uses Opti-Max in all their outboard motors and have had no problems.

Are you saying all you have to do is buy an oil that has "Opti" somewhere in the name and you're good to go?

"OptiMax" is a Mercury Marine trademark for their direct injection 2-stroke outboards. It has nothing to do with the company that makes Opti-2 oil. Mercury's own branded two-cycle oil is TC-W3 rated.
 
(quoted from post at 14:46:32 03/23/16) Got a new chain saw the other day. Manual calls for synthetic oil for mixing with fuel, 50:1 mix. Got several containers of "UNIVERSAL" 2 cycle oil. Am I OK using that or should I do a search for the synthetic oil? Don't know if any local vendors even stock such a commodity. Looks like we're going to have an ice storm in the next day or so - 3/4 of an inch or more forecast. So I'm wanting to have my ducks in a row to cover the real possibilities of trees down and power lines down. Just checked my supply of generator gas, and should be good for a couple days there.


If the WARRANTY says you need to use synthetic, then get the synthetic. If it doesn't, use a good grade of 2 cycle mix oil designed for chainsaws, not outboard motors. I prefer to mix a bit richer than 50-1, which is what the manufacturers are forced to go with to meet clean air standards. You may also find your saw is set to run as lean as possible. Adjusting the carb for a richer mix will give you a longer tool life.
 
Hello RayP(MI),

If the universal oil is good for the mix I see no reason not to use it. I have an universal oil that can be use up to 100 to 1 ratio. Not all oils are created equal, look at the mix they support,

Guido.
 

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