40:1 or 50:1

[Gym]

I just got a new leaf blower. The fuel requirements are 50:1. All my other small engine yard machines are 40:1. I really don't want to have all those gas cans kicking around, regular fuel, 40:1 fuel & 50:1 fuel. I'm wondering if I can compromise on the mix. If I mix my fuel to 45:1 will it harm the small motors or will it smoke a little on the 40:1 motor and run a little hot in the 50:1 motor? Anybody have a solution?

 

[octavio3311]

50:1 is a little lean. I'd go 40:1. A little extra oil will never hurt. Not enough oil and you'll be replacing pistons.
I'v been using 40:1 is my weedwacker and back-pack blower and chainsaw forever. They are all between 8-10 years old.

Years back when still racing 2 stroke MX - I'd use my bikes 32:1 in them. Everytime I cut the lawn, it would smell like the track. Damn 4strokes killed off all the nice smells.

 

[Glassman]

50:1 is a little lean. I'd go 40:1. A little extra oil will never hurt. Not enough oil and you'll be replacing pistons.
I'v been using 40:1 is my weedwacker and back-pack blower and chainsaw forever. They are all between 8-10 years old.

Years back when still racing 2 stroke MX - I'd use my bikes 32:1 in them. Everytime I cut the lawn, it would smell like the track. Damn 4strokes killed off all the nice smells.

Ever smell that 'Flavored" 2-stroke oil they cam up with a few years back? I'd be riding behind my buddy's kid on his little 65 and it would smell like strawberries! It got pretty bad after a while - we couldn't stand riding behind him anymore. Glad he grew up and out of that bike....give me regular old 2-stroke smell any day.

 

[BigN8]

50:1 is a little lean. I'd go 40:1. A little extra oil will never hurt. Not enough oil and you'll be replacing pistons.
I'v been using 40:1 is my weedwacker and back-pack blower and chainsaw forever. They are all between 8-10 years old.

Years back when still racing 2 stroke MX - I'd use my bikes 32:1 in them. Everytime I cut the lawn, it would smell like the track. Damn 4strokes killed off all the nice smells.

You'd be shocked to know how many 2 smokers are still out there racing hare scrambles! I raced 3 different series here in north TX and all of the series are dominated by KTM. Many of which are 2 smokers. Yamaha still makes a 2 smoke and you will see man y of those out there as well.

I still say there is nothing better than romping on a 4 stroke 450 in a low gear on a nice hill climb!

 

[octavio3311]

You'd be shocked to know how many 2 smokers are still out there racing hare scrambles! I raced 3 different series here in north TX and all of the series are dominated by KTM. Many of which are 2 smokers. Yamaha still makes a 2 smoke and you will see man y of those out there as well.

I still say there is nothing better than romping on a 4 stroke 450 in a low gear on a nice hill climb!

Yeah I know the 2smokers are still out there, especially in Hare Scrambles, especially the KTMs. But on the MX/SX track - it's mostly 4 strokes - I'd say 95% in these parts. Myself included - I jumped on the 4 stroke band wagon with a 99' YZ400 and then a 02' YZ426 and then the YZ450.

Each has it pros and cons. Yeah - you can torque a 450 out of a corner in 3rd and still rip it over the triple with out ever worrying about shifting. It's like driving a 2 speed on the track. But I feel they make you lazy. On a 2stoke - you're fanning the clutch, up shifting, tapping the rear brake, down shifting, hard on the brakes, working to keep the revs up. It's so much more involved.

I took a spin on a buddy's (his kids) new YZ125! My 1st thought was "Holy Shit, this thing has no balls". But then the revs came up and the powerband kicks in and now I'm saying "Holy Crap - I don't remember how to ride 1 of these anymore". I miss the 2strokers, especially the 125's - I love the way a pack of angry 125's sound. Pure music.

Oh wait - this is a boat forum. So sorry to the original OP for the MAJOR highjack. My apologies.

 

[Gym]

Thanks for the advice guys. I was thinking the same thing. 40:1 would be a safer mix in my 50:1 equipment than running 50:1 in my 40:1 equipment.

After posting this thread I called the Stihl authorized repair center where I bought this 50:1 leaf blower and they told me the opposite, run all my equipment at 50:1. I think I like the advice here better. I'll go 40:1 on everything.

 

[octavio3311]

Thats much safer. A little more smoke is OK! Just make sure to use the Maxima SuperM Racing Formula!

 

[itsdgm]

I love the smell of 2 stroke oil. It's funny how you can tell/smell the different types of oil as you approach different guys.

 

[txav8r]

What is this thread about? LOL @Gym , I have now gone pretty much Stihl equipment. All of it is 50:1. I have a new weed eater that I broke down and paid $$$ for that is a Stihl! It still requires oil at 50:1. And get this, they doubled the warranty if I would buy a six pack of the Stihl 50:1 synthetic oil. I did! I bought the power head and coupler, and added the weed eater for $50 more than the standard. That way I can add an extension pole chain saw in the future. Depending on what equipment you have and the maker, I would be reluctant to run more oil through them than about 45:1 and don't think that would hurt much. But going 40:1 is getting very oily and will certainly change the burn characteristics, but it may not hurt it at all. None of my equipment smokes btw, not at all! Oh, I have a 026 chain saw, what is now the bg86 blower I think it is, and the new power head is a KM90 R with the FS-KS line head trimmer. I can't recommend Stihl enough, made to last a lifetime. I could have paid for two with all the blowers and weed eaters I have thrown away! I was smart and only bought one chainsaw...and it is my 026.

 

[Gym]

I agree with you on Stihl equipment. I believe the fairly recent change to 50:1 is an effort to comply with carb emissions standards. My current dilemma is having to maintain different mixes for the different requirements of my equipment at two houses. I'm just trying to simplify things by using the same mix in all my equipment. I'm thinking a little more oil in the mix is better than not enough. I will probably go with 40:1 in the stihl (as that's what ALL my other equipment takes). If that becomes problematic I'll try 45:1. I'm hesitant to go to 50:1 in my older 40:1 equipment as I think that would hasten their demise. I do appreciate all the feedback and am open to further insight.

 

[txav8r]

What about running a few drops of something like ring free in the 40:1 stuff Jim?