I’m looking to purchase a pallet of 6.4 ounce bottles of 2 cycle oil for the company I work for. We run lots of Stihl tools and use about 25 cases of 2 cycle oil per season. In the past we purchased the Stihl full synthetic oil and have had good results. I was looking at purchasing more of the same for $3.29 per container. I have seen other brands at lower prices all the way down to $1.76 per container for the Walmart house brand full synthetic. I did some searching and couldn’t find anything conclusive regarding comparisons. Can anyone point me to something or give some opinions?
2 cycle oil, what is best?
- Thread starter BroncoAZ
- Start date
I would stick with stihl, one I prefer is the standard HP not the super or ultra as had carb fuel issues with those .
Would of thought you could get fair price on pallet order .
cheap oil or poor choice oil tends work out time and wallet consuming over the long term .
Would of thought you could get fair price on pallet order .
cheap oil or poor choice oil tends work out time and wallet consuming over the long term .
Flash and Flare
Well-known member
Warm weather
https://klotzlube.com/shop/ols/products/super-techniplate
Cold weather
https://klotzlube.com/shop/ols/products/xn-snowmobile-techniplate-44a/v/KL-216_
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https://klotzlube.com/shop/ols/products/super-techniplate
Cold weather
https://klotzlube.com/shop/ols/products/xn-snowmobile-techniplate-44a/v/KL-216_
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I’m still waiting to get the price on a full pallet of Stihl. The $3.29 was quoted to me by one of my vendors on 25+ cases. Another vendor charged me $3.33 on a single case, but I was picking up a $10K order at the time.
I run Stihl Ultra but knowing Stihl I doubt you'd get a price break for a pallet since they'll force you to go thru a retailer.
You could try this list and look for oils that meet JASO FD:
http://jalos.or.jp/onfile/pdf/2T_EV_LIST.pdf
Or try lawnsite.com where professional landscapers/tree services hang out.
Project farm did a test recently but only compared Walmart Supertech with Amsoil synthetic 2 stroke. (Amsoil won) Amsoil would probably give you a decent price since you can deal directly with them.
You could try this list and look for oils that meet JASO FD:
http://jalos.or.jp/onfile/pdf/2T_EV_LIST.pdf
Or try lawnsite.com where professional landscapers/tree services hang out.
Project farm did a test recently but only compared Walmart Supertech with Amsoil synthetic 2 stroke. (Amsoil won) Amsoil would probably give you a decent price since you can deal directly with them.
randyandrewsberg
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2016
- Messages
- 33
I've had good results with and only run Amsoil Sabre at 80:1 in all air-cooled two strokes.
TNToy
Well-known member
I don’t honestly like what I see in a high-hours saw when I tear down a Stihl or Husky to do some porting work, on Stihl or Husky oil. Quite a bit of carbon build-up.
Opti-2 is fairly affordable and the damn things look new when I pop a top-end off. Tinman Saws - one of the more prolific builders on YouTube - swore by the stuff. I gave it a try, and I’m sticking with it.
Opti-2 is fairly affordable and the damn things look new when I pop a top-end off. Tinman Saws - one of the more prolific builders on YouTube - swore by the stuff. I gave it a try, and I’m sticking with it.
Buying by the pallet load may change things for you and your company but.... I only use Stihl synthetic oil in my Stihl products. Not because I'm a Stihl fan-boy, but because I believe it's good 2-stroke oil. I've never had a fuel and/or oil related engine problem while running Stihl oil..... and my theory is: "if it's not broken, then don't fix it". It may cost a little more money, but the extra cost is worth it for the amount of headache it prevents.
If you're asking for "the best" 2 cycle oil... and you've also had good results in the past with Stihl synthetic oil, then I'd stick with what's been working. I realize your boss is probably trying to save a penny, but using questionable oil today, will end up costing more in the future.
In my opinion, you've already been using "the best" 2-cycle oil for your Stihl equipment.
It's possible (in fact, almost certain) that Stihl synthetic oil is just re-branded by some other oil company and could very possibly be available with a different name on the bottle for a lower price..... but finding that lower cost replacement the "hard way" isn't my idea of fun. lol.
ymmv
If you're asking for "the best" 2 cycle oil... and you've also had good results in the past with Stihl synthetic oil, then I'd stick with what's been working. I realize your boss is probably trying to save a penny, but using questionable oil today, will end up costing more in the future.
In my opinion, you've already been using "the best" 2-cycle oil for your Stihl equipment.
It's possible (in fact, almost certain) that Stihl synthetic oil is just re-branded by some other oil company and could very possibly be available with a different name on the bottle for a lower price..... but finding that lower cost replacement the "hard way" isn't my idea of fun. lol.
ymmv
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
The smell that brings me back to racing two stroke dirtbike’s LOL
Badgerstate
Well-known member
As long as it meets the JASO rating, oil is oil. I would stick to something that meets JASO though, not TCW-3 because the testing for each is completely different.
JASO is for water and air-cooled engine, TCW-3 is strictly for water-cooled and really more for outboard boat engines.
The temperature extremes that an air-cooled engine encounteres, especially in something that is stationary and operates at high rpm; really makes it not good for using a TCW-3 rated oil.
Back when I still had all my gas lawn equipment and chainsaws, I used to use the same oil that I used in my snowmobile and ATV: Polaris Blue and later, Polaris Gold. I always figured if it was good enough for the sled or four wheeler, its good enough for the chainsaw, leaf blower or weed wacker.
JASO is for water and air-cooled engine, TCW-3 is strictly for water-cooled and really more for outboard boat engines.
The temperature extremes that an air-cooled engine encounteres, especially in something that is stationary and operates at high rpm; really makes it not good for using a TCW-3 rated oil.
Back when I still had all my gas lawn equipment and chainsaws, I used to use the same oil that I used in my snowmobile and ATV: Polaris Blue and later, Polaris Gold. I always figured if it was good enough for the sled or four wheeler, its good enough for the chainsaw, leaf blower or weed wacker.
Slednut
Well-known member
Polaris Gold Full synthetic.
purplezr2
Well-known member
I personally would run what the OEM oil is. All the engine validation has been completed on that oil. Typically OEMs work with oil vendors to develop oil based on the engine parameters.
Background info, I have done two stroke oil development for an OEM working with a vendor.
Background info, I have done two stroke oil development for an OEM working with a vendor.
Last edited:
seber
Well-known member
Everything I've read says Castrol developed the oil specifically for Stihl and is sold only as Stihl oil. That doesn't mean it's better, but it does mean there is no substitute that is the same.
jonesg
Well-known member
Not in your desired container size, but FWIW I've been running the Valvoline 2 cycle oil for ~5 years. It may have more deposits than the more expensive choices, but for the $, I can deal with that. It's ~$6/qt at Auto Zone. I haven't used the Supertech 2 cycle oil but should probably try it.
If you have a variety of of mix ratios I would go w/ Opti-2. Full Syn. Has stabilizer in it & will warrant any damage related to its use. One ratio for all 15/1 to 70/1.
Used it for a decade. Very convenient, not a lot of smoke.
Used it for a decade. Very convenient, not a lot of smoke.
bob15
Well-known member
When I premix oil (instead of the VP already mixed gas), I use Lubrication Engineer's 2 stroke oil https://products.lelubricants.com/viewitems/two-cycle/monolec-two-cycle-engine-oil-8104
Why not buy a drum of oil and save money? Or at least 5 gallon pails.
Why not buy a drum of oil and save money? Or at least 5 gallon pails.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Never seen Super Tech full synthetic 2 stroke oil !
Other Walmart 4 stroke oils have done well in head to head competitions.
SRU1436
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Me too, I love my CR500!!!!
nynexit
Well-known member
I run a fleet of vintage Lawn Boy mowers on Amsoil saber synthetic. I’m very happy with it and I get almost no smoke .
For the quantities your looking for I’m sure they’ll work with you , they sell it in multiple size containers from a 1.6 oz pack to a 55 gallon drum.
For the quantities your looking for I’m sure they’ll work with you , they sell it in multiple size containers from a 1.6 oz pack to a 55 gallon drum.
Thanks for all the responses, they are very helpful.
I largely agree with this. I am the boss in charge of the budget and was looking to explore other options before ordering $7600 worth of 2 cycle oil. Those pennies add up, if the Wal Mart brand oil is decent I could save $3500 on just this purchase. My predecessor did everything the easiest way possible, regardless of cost. I’m finding significant waste and trying to correct it where it makes sense. That being said, we have hundreds of pieces of Stihl equipment. We haven’t seen oil related failures unless the employees are just forgetting to add it. Most of our fuel related failures are clogged filters from debris getting into the fuel cans. In this case I’ll probably just keep the status quo.
The problem with a drum of oil is that we have a few dozen crews spread over a significant geographic area. We need a simple to mix solution that the guys can work with remotely. If everything came back to a central yard daily I’d do a premixed 330 gallon tote, but the crews fill their own gas cans remotely. If it wasn’t $20 per gallon I’d consider buying cans of premixed fuel.
Buying by the pallet load may change things for you and your company but.... I only use Stihl synthetic oil in my Stihl products. Not because I'm a Stihl fan-boy, but because I believe it's good 2-stroke oil. I've never had a fuel and/or oil related engine problem while running Stihl oil..... and my theory is: "if it's not broken, then don't fix it". It may cost a little more money, but the extra cost is worth it for the amount of headache it prevents.
If you're asking for "the best" 2 cycle oil... and you've also had good results in the past with Stihl synthetic oil, then I'd stick with what's been working. I realize your boss is probably trying to save a penny, but using questionable oil today, will end up costing more in the future.
In my opinion, you've already been using "the best" 2-cycle oil for your Stihl equipment.
It's possible (in fact, almost certain) that Stihl synthetic oil is just re-branded by some other oil company and could very possibly be available with a different name on the bottle for a lower price..... but finding that lower cost replacement the "hard way" isn't my idea of fun. lol.
ymmv
I largely agree with this. I am the boss in charge of the budget and was looking to explore other options before ordering $7600 worth of 2 cycle oil. Those pennies add up, if the Wal Mart brand oil is decent I could save $3500 on just this purchase. My predecessor did everything the easiest way possible, regardless of cost. I’m finding significant waste and trying to correct it where it makes sense. That being said, we have hundreds of pieces of Stihl equipment. We haven’t seen oil related failures unless the employees are just forgetting to add it. Most of our fuel related failures are clogged filters from debris getting into the fuel cans. In this case I’ll probably just keep the status quo.
The problem with a drum of oil is that we have a few dozen crews spread over a significant geographic area. We need a simple to mix solution that the guys can work with remotely. If everything came back to a central yard daily I’d do a premixed 330 gallon tote, but the crews fill their own gas cans remotely. If it wasn’t $20 per gallon I’d consider buying cans of premixed fuel.
Interesting. With their preferred customer program it’s $3.11 per 6.4 ounce bottle, possibly better in bulk. I tried to put 100 cases in the cart and it said I need to call them for that size order. I don’t know that it’s a superior product to the Stihl full synthetic, but generally Amsoil is good stuff.
driftpin
Well-known member
Klotz BenOL to remind me of fall days at Watkins Glen, watching Jim Clark, Graham Hill, John Surtees, and other greats of the era, in F1 competition, as the prevailing wind carries the scent of racing castor to the infield.
DerekV
Well-known member
For lawn equipment, Amsoil Saber is the way to go. It’s designed to be mixed to 100:1 and is clean burning.
For high rpm motorsport racing, Motul 800 Double Ester...incredible stuff.
For high rpm motorsport racing, Motul 800 Double Ester...incredible stuff.
ericm
Well-known member
I use Redline Allsport in my saws and other power equipment. It's a low ash synthetic. When I was doing off road motorcycle competition (observed trials) I used it in my water cooled modern bikes and air cooled vintage bikes. I've never had an oil related failure in 30+ years of using the stuff. Deposits and wear are low.
For a race engine I'd use their race oil. But saws have a much lower power per CC and don't stress their parts like a race engine.
One of Redline's advantages is that it makes the exhaust smell good or at least less bad. Some other oils make rank exhaust.
For a race engine I'd use their race oil. But saws have a much lower power per CC and don't stress their parts like a race engine.
One of Redline's advantages is that it makes the exhaust smell good or at least less bad. Some other oils make rank exhaust.
I completely understand.... And it would be foolish for a person in your position to NOT consider a cheaper alternative. Good luck with your search. Let us know if you find a less expensive oil with good results. I'm sure the rest of us would like to know if we can save a few bucks and not affect the longevity of our power equipment.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
This brings up a sad reality ! 2 stroke engines are almost "dead" in the US. Evinrude was that last company making a 2 stroke outboard and they folded their tent last year. Does anyone still sell a 2 stroke snowmobile $
Also, and more important to this discussion, there have been no improvement in 2 stroke oil standards or testing in well over 30 years ! The last standard I know of is TC-W3 (Two Cycle, Water cooled, 3rd revision as defined by the National Marine Manufacturers Association). Who knows if it is applicable to air cooled two stroke engines but there is nothing else.
FYI - Walmart Super Tech is made by Warren Distributing. They make and sell 2 stroke and 4 stroke oil under many different labels. I would try it, but put the money saved aside just in case !
Also, and more important to this discussion, there have been no improvement in 2 stroke oil standards or testing in well over 30 years ! The last standard I know of is TC-W3 (Two Cycle, Water cooled, 3rd revision as defined by the National Marine Manufacturers Association). Who knows if it is applicable to air cooled two stroke engines but there is nothing else.
FYI - Walmart Super Tech is made by Warren Distributing. They make and sell 2 stroke and 4 stroke oil under many different labels. I would try it, but put the money saved aside just in case !
Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
Now that my supply of Union Carbide synthetic 2 stroke oil is depleted. I'm using Amsoil Sabre. Seems to be a good oil that mixes with less of it for the same protection. Other good 2 stroke oils would be Klotz, Lucas, Maxima, and VP.
purplezr2
Well-known member
Polaris, Ski Doo Arctic and Yamaha, all still make 2 Strokes. The first two even make Boosted models.
seagull369
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2013
- Messages
- 227
+1 on that statement.
Evinrude claimed that "E-TEC [2 stroke] engines are the cleanest outboards on the planet." Was that a lie or were they too complex/unreliable?
The difference from ad copy and reality.
Similar to VW and clean diesel.......they figured out a better way nobody else could engineer and pull cost effectively. 
laser3kw
Well-known member
I'm going to guess for convenience. Small bottles can be transported so if they run out of premix while out on a job site, they can dump a bottle in the empty container and fill it up. And, if the container is the right size, they would have the correct ratio without having to measure and do math.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Never heard the "low cost" claim ! Complexity was much less than any 4 stroke (no cams, lifter or valves to adjust). Yamaha was finally able to build an outboard that could compete lbs/HP with their current mid-range 4 cylinder engines (up to 200 HP out of 2.8L, NA, premium fuel).
IMHO, Evinrude missed the boat in a couple of areas. They did NOT bring back their V8 and they kept that stupid V4 around ! They finally got smart and came up with a large displacement I3, but it was too late.
The Evinrude oil was way overpriced, but required for warranty and their 100:1 mix. They should have hooked up with Pennzoil or Mobil. Sure they would not have made as much profit, but boaters would not feel like they were being raped !
bob15
Well-known member
You can refill those small plastic bottles out of a drum. It works just fine. And you save a lot of money, long-term.
I re-use/re-fill the quart oil bottles I keep on my snowmobiles. Re-fill the bottles at the trailer (or at home) out of a one gallon container and but them back in the holder which only hold Polaris bottles (I run Spectro oil).
I appreciate what you are suggesting, but understand I’m working in a commercial capacity with about three dozen crews working across a large geographic area. About half of the crews don’t make it back to one of our three yards with any regularity. Trying to collect and refill bottles would be stepping over dollars to pick up pennies. Cost be damned, 6.4 ounce individual use bottles is the right solution for us, the guys are already trained and it works. We go through about 1200 of these bottles per year, so about $4000 worth on the Stihl full synthetic. It’s a drop in the bucket and not worth scrutinizing as much as I have been.
