Chainsaw oil/gas mix question

[czgunner]

I just picked up a Poulan P3816 on sale for light yard maintenance.
Reading through the instructions, they ask for a 40:1 mixture.
I have 50:1 already mixed up for my Stihl FS 90 trimmer.
How important is it to use the 40:1 vs what I already have?
Sorry if this is an obvious thing, I'm just getting in to 2 stroke for the first time.
Thank you!

ETA: If anybody has a recommendation for some decent chaps, let me know!

 

[930dreamer]

Stihl chaps run about $90 clams.

 

[jdl25]

50:1 is fine. Thats all I use ever. I do spring for the gray bottle stihl oil and ethanol free gas though...

 

[The Cobbler]

I would not use 50 to 1 if the manual calls for 40 to 1 .

 

[captain14]

Don't risk it . 40:1 is different than 50:1.

Do it right and it will last.

At work we have several boxes of parts. Guess how they came to live in the parts boxes?

 

[Ilikeike]

Mix 45:1 and run it in both.

 

[stihlntime]

You can run Stihl ultra synthetic (Grey bottle) at 50:1 in any piece of 2 stroke power equipment irregardless if it calls for 16:1 32:1 40:1 etc. I am a certified Stihl gold tech also echo/shindawia/ certified. Won't hurt it a bit.

 

[chris142]

Depends on the oil. Still oil is a very good synthetic.who knows what poulan oil is or was when the saw was built. I'd have no problem running a good oil @50:1.

 

[bobcatdan]

You can run Stihl ultra synthetic (Grey bottle) at 50:1 in any piece of 2 stroke power equipment irregardless if it calls for 16:1 32:1 40:1 etc. I am a certified Stihl gold tech also echo/shindawia/ certified. Won't hurt it a bit.

I'll have to check which stihl oil I buy. For the simplicity of the little bottles, I buy stihl oil for the chainsaw and weedwacker to mix 50:1. The lawn boy I get lawn boy oil to mix 32:1. If the shitl oil will work at 50:1 in the lawn boy, I'd go that route once my supply of lawn boy oil runs out.

 

[tdkkart]

You can run Stihl ultra synthetic (Grey bottle) at 50:1 in any piece of 2 stroke power equipment irregardless if it calls for 16:1 32:1 40:1 etc. I am a certified Stihl gold tech also echo/shindawia/ certified. Won't hurt it a bit.

50:1 in a 16:1 engine is less than 1/3 the oil what the engine manufacturer designed it for.

I would think a "Stihl Gold Tech" would know better..???

 

[stihlntime]

It's a fact. The ultra synthetic is a FB rated 2 stroke oil has the lubricity requirements to work at 50:1 . the old 16:1 were based on old dino oils. Amsoil claims their synthetics will function in any 2 strokes at 100:1. Check out the oil blog Bobs the oil guy it has many threads on this subject. Stihl formulated ultra so it works in 16:1 32:1 40:1 50:1 eliminating the need for different oils. I can tell you at the school they demonstrate it mixed much thinner than 50:1 and showing no premature cylinder wear. I've run it in many of old saws that originally required 16:1 and 32:1 ratios. Amazing how far synthetics blends have improved lubrication.

 

[CJM8515]

Most every piece of power equipment I have bought inthe last few years states 50:1. I know the echo 450 I just bought states something along the lines of "50:1 regardless of model in all echo 2 stroke motors, regardless of previous information"

Personally, 45:1 if you wanna play it safe I guess. I always added a touch more oil just for kicks.

 

[Engine]

It's a fact. The ultra synthetic is a FB rated 2 stroke oil has the lubricity requirements to work at 50:1 . the old 16:1 were based on old dino oils. Amsoil claims their synthetics will function in any 2 strokes at 100:1. Check out the oil blog Bobs the oil guy it has many threads on this subject. Stihl formulated ultra so it works in 16:1 32:1 40:1 50:1 eliminating the need for different oils. I can tell you at the school they demonstrate it mixed much thinner than 50:1 and showing no premature cylinder wear. I've run it in many of old saws that originally required 16:1 and 32:1 ratios. Amazing how far synthetics blends have improved lubrication.

I seem to recall reading in some owners manual, it may have been Husqvarna, that advises not to use marine 2 cycle oil in their products. I have one of their chainsaws and a weed trimmer that uses a 50:1 mix. In your experience, do you think it would harm the engines in these to use a good marine oil instead of the Husqvarna brand? Is there a real difference in the two?
Thanks.

 

[CJM8515]

I seem to recall reading in some owners manual, it may have been Husqvarna, that advises not to use marine 2 cycle oil in their products. I have one of their chainsaws and a weed trimmer that uses a 50:1 mix. In your experience, do you think it would harm the engines in these to use a good marine oil instead of the Husqvarna brand? Is there a real difference in the two?
Thanks.

Buddy of mine is a landscaper. he buys bulk marine 2 stroke at walmart and mixes with a cup. So far nothing has failed recently.. Oh and his husky 455 has no issue with the stuff.

 

[stikman56]

I've used Amsoil 80 to 1 in my stuff for years and haven't worn an engine out yet with it. Me,I'd run a quality synthetic oil and forget about it.

 

[2oolhound]

I remember back in the late 60's and early 70's when 16:1 was the norm. When 32:1 was the norm I got turned on to Bardal (organic oil) by my dad who used it in the frozen north in extreme cold conditions. I used it at 40:1 and really noticed how much less noxious the fumes were. When synthetic came out a lot of guys were using amsoil at 50:1 and had great service from it. The important thing is to pick a good one and stick with it and mix accurately all the time. I'm all for the 50:1 mixes largely because of the lighter fumes you have to breathe when chainsawing.

I wouldn't doubt Poulan recommends 40:1 because they know in some parts of the world where they sell their saws they know some people won't pay close attention to how accurate they are mixing and there are probably some low quality mix oils around that some folks will buy to save money so they are just playing it safe. A top brand oil mixed accurately at 50:1 should be totally safe in their saws.

 

[Roverbo]

Buddy of mine is a landscaper. he buys bulk marine 2 stroke at walmart and mixes with a cup. So far nothing has failed recently.. Oh and his husky 455 has no issue with the stuff.

Hmmm... Marine oil is definately not the same as normal 2-stroke oil. 2-stroke outboards, with their watercooling to "cold" water (not re-circulating like in a car) work at much lower temperatures than chainsaws, trimmers etc. I wouldn´t use it, neither would i ever pour "normal" 2-stroke oil in my outboard motor. Oil is so much cheaper than engines...

 

[CJM8515]

Hmmm... Marine oil is definately not the same as normal 2-stroke oil. 2-stroke outboards, with their watercooling to "cold" water (not re-circulating like in a car) work at much lower temperatures than chainsaws, trimmers etc. I wouldn´t use it, neither would i ever pour "normal" 2-stroke oil in my outboard motor. Oil is so much cheaper than engines...

Well I've known the guy ten years. No issues with his stuff

 

[Tim37]

How often are you gonna be running your saw? If you just plan on using it a few times a year I would just buy a can of premix gas at the store.

If your gonna use it a lot I would just run 40:1 in both

 

[rlitman]

I'll have to check which stihl oil I buy. For the simplicity of the little bottles, I buy stihl oil for the chainsaw and weedwacker to mix 50:1. The lawn boy I get lawn boy oil to mix 32:1. If the shitl oil will work at 50:1 in the lawn boy, I'd go that route once my supply of lawn boy oil runs out.

Your Stihl FS90 is a 4-Mix machine. You should ONLY be using the Stihl Ultra oil in it. Non-synthetic oils are known to cause carbon buildup in these valved engines.

BTW, while it is critical to never run straight gas without oil in a 2-stroke engine (that would QUICKLY destroy it), it is also important to understand that running too much oil in your gas can be much more destructive than too little. It is far safer to run 50:1 in a 40:1 machine than vice versa, regardless of the oil formulation used. Again, because of the carbon issue.

 

[Dust Devil]

You can run Stihl ultra synthetic (Grey bottle) at 50:1 in any piece of 2 stroke power equipment irregardless if it calls for 16:1 32:1 40:1 etc. I am a certified Stihl gold tech also echo/shindawia/ certified. Won't hurt it a bit.

100% accurate.

I put the Stihl ultra at 50:1 in every 2 stroke I deal with. It is great premix.

 

[czgunner]

I run the Stihl oil in my trimmer.
I should add that the saw came with a bottle of synthetic oil.
I think I'll just buy a bottle of premix. I don't see myself running this saw on a regular basis.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Davefr]

Ratio is based on the oil not the engine. Run 50:1 but use Stihl Ultra and ethanol free premium gas.

 

[logixjock]

It's a fact. The ultra synthetic is a FB rated 2 stroke oil has the lubricity requirements to work at 50:1 . the old 16:1 were based on old dino oils. Amsoil claims their synthetics will function in any 2 strokes at 100:1. Check out the oil blog Bobs the oil guy it has many threads on this subject. Stihl formulated ultra so it works in 16:1 32:1 40:1 50:1 eliminating the need for different oils. I can tell you at the school they demonstrate it mixed much thinner than 50:1 and showing no premature cylinder wear. I've run it in many of old saws that originally required 16:1 and 32:1 ratios. Amazing how far synthetics blends have improved lubrication.

Man speaks the truth, I started out using 16:1 Lawn-Boy mix and the fumes were awful, when I got my first 32:1 machine the dealer told me as long as I was mixing accurately for the oil I was using at the time, everything would be OK. Over the years I always looked for the oil I could mix the thinnest to cut down on the oil smoke. Been doing this for 35 years in everything from 60's model Lawn-Boy's and McCullough chain saws, to the modern 4mix Stihl's I have now. Never a problem. ran a '75 Honda Elsinore at 40:1 for several summers also. No oil related problems.

 

[rlitman]

Ratio is based on the oil not the engine. Run 50:1 but use Stihl Ultra and ethanol free premium gas.

For the most part, this is true. stihlntime has it right. The synthetic oils designed for 50:1 use can be used in a 32:1 machine without any worries, and will probably work in a 16:1 machine too.

That being said, I wouldn't use this on my antique Seagull outboard engine that is designed to run at 10:1.

 

[stikman56]

It's a fact. The ultra synthetic is a FB rated 2 stroke oil has the lubricity requirements to work at 50:1 . the old 16:1 were based on old dino oils. Amsoil claims their synthetics will function in any 2 strokes at 100:1. Check out the oil blog Bobs the oil guy it has many threads on this subject. Stihl formulated ultra so it works in 16:1 32:1 40:1 50:1 eliminating the need for different oils. I can tell you at the school they demonstrate it mixed much thinner than 50:1 and showing no premature cylinder wear. I've run it in many of old saws that originally required 16:1 and 32:1 ratios. Amazing how far synthetics blends have improved lubrication.

I ran it ( Amsoil) at 100:1 in my 1995 Gas Gas trials bike with no issues,and I've run it 80:1 in my 2002 trials bike that I bought new, still no issues, have done no engine work yet. Bike has quite a bit of time on it. I ran it in my old saw too, never hurt the engine that I could tell, still lots of compression, finally the case got cracked so it wouldn't hold bar oil, is the reason I had to retire it.

 

[SD_40]

As for the mix, as plenty of others have said; if using a good synthetic like stihl ultra, I'd run 50:1 in that saw without a second thought.

As for the chaps: people I know who own labonville's love them, especially the wrap around style for extra protection. I got my stihl chaps used (although looked brand new) off eBay for like $50. I don't cut without them, unless I'm up in the tree.

 

[nikonica]

Another vote for Labonville chaps here. And boots - their boots are awesome and also made in the USA.

http://www.labonville.com/

Also, the oil/fuel ratio is determined by the oil, not by the engine manufacturer. Most oil these days is meant to be mixed at 50:1. Running 40:1 won't hurt your Poulan. But running "extra" oil actually leans out the fuel mixture (more oil = less gas = lower fuel/air ratio). Leaning out a two-stroke engine will destroy it very quickly.