2 cycle oil

11 years ago

Dumb Question. I go thru maybe 4 gallons of2 cycle oil treated gas a year depending on how much snow we get and much the grass grows. I have a Toro single stage thrower and several Echo tools...some about 10 years old. I usually use Echo 2.6 bottles. I like the ease of use of the little bottles you just dump into a gallon of gas.

Anyway I just used my last bottle so I popped into HD to get a few Echo bottles and they were about $3.33 each but sold out. They did have a large 16oz bottle but then you have to measure it out. I noted the echo stuff says synthetic blend.

I saw a variety of other oil in 2.6 bottles ranging from $1.98 to $2.78. I also saw Toro 2 cycle oil, 5.2 oz for $1.89...Id have to split this into two gallons of course.

Does it matter what brand I buy or whether its synthetic blend? Am I paying for a name with the echo stuff or am I better off seeking out the echo stuff...always used it, never a problem? Can I trust the toro stuff...ever saw it before or any other brands? Some (if not all of these) say stabilizer is added however I usually end up filling my 1 gallon container from my 5 gallon container that already has stabil w/Ethanol treatment added. Sometimes I even throw some Seafoam in there. Am I over doing it?

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Comments (3)

1saxman
11 years ago
Not at all. I actually do almost the exact same thing, except instead of the Seafoam I use Marvel Mystery Oil. I can't begin to tell you how much small engines love this stuff, esp. 2-cycles. If you're happy with the syn-blend Echo oil, by all means stick with it. Its more economical to buy the larger bottle and it only takes a second to measure and pour. Another 'overkill' thing I do is I use mid-grade gas instead of regular in my OPE. The main reason is every time you open a plastic can to dispense fuel, volatile gases blow out. I figure those volatiles are taking away some of the octane rating, so I start with the higher grade of gas, hoping to maintain the minimum requirement. Also, being a blend-at- the-tank of Regular and Premium, mid-grade has a better additive package than regular. Whatever, my engines really seem to enjoy all this luxury and always run great.
exmar zone 7, SE Ohio
11 years ago
Agree, when I bought my first Stihl trimmer, noticed it recomended "mid grade" rather than low test gas. Along about that time I discovered synthetic, "don't care what the ratio is" oil. Now use those on all two cycles I own. I also add Stabil, and occasionally SeaFoam as well.

http://opti2-4.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=165

A buddy who repairs small engines kept raving about this stuff and I finally tried it. Everything starts easier, less smoke, less carbon at the exhaust ports, etc. etc. I buy it at Amazon in a package of 6 premeasured packets.

IMHO, two cycle engines were probably created by a very evil person who likes to see frustrated folks trying to start them. Since I made the two changes mentioned above, I actually like two cycle engines. :-)

If you have an oil that works for you, don't mess with it to save a few pennies.

Ev
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andrelaplume2
Original Author
11 years ago
I use MMO now and then myself! In fact my Dad's snow thrower seized this winter after the oil plug somehow dislodged. He added MMO several times. Finally it loosened, started, smoked like heck but now seems to start normally. I guess we will know how it performs under a load next winter.