mark2yahu
Member
What viscosity is 2-stroke oil, and how it is different from motor oil?
2-stroke oil
- Thread starter mark2yahu
- Start date
arceeguy
Active Member
2T oils are engineered to be mixed with fuel and burned with the fuel. Standard motor oils are mostly detergents and additives needed to stabilize the lubricating properties in the crankcase of the engine, and these additives will quickly leave deposits when burned in a 2 cycle engine.
A very old 2 cycle lawn mower I owned stated that you could use non-detergent 30W motor oil at 16:1 if 2 cycle specific oil could not be obtained. (The recommended ratio was 32:1 when using 2T oil) Man, talk about mosquito control!
A very old 2 cycle lawn mower I owned stated that you could use non-detergent 30W motor oil at 16:1 if 2 cycle specific oil could not be obtained. (The recommended ratio was 32:1 when using 2T oil) Man, talk about mosquito control!
mark2yahu
Member
differences
So 2-stroke oil is designed to be burned as part of the fuel to lubricate the piston and cylinder, while motor oil is designed for the crankcase. Sounds like 2-stroke oil is a purer form of oil, w/o additives.
So 2-stroke oil is designed to be burned as part of the fuel to lubricate the piston and cylinder, while motor oil is designed for the crankcase. Sounds like 2-stroke oil is a purer form of oil, w/o additives.
arceeguy
Active Member
That is my understanding!
The oil film is deposited in the engine as the fuel/oil mix passes through the crankcase. Some of the fuel will deposit on the internal engine parts, evaporate and leave the lubricating film. The rest is burned in the combustion chamber and passed out of the exhaust. 2T oil has additives to keep it from separating, and some have fuel stabilizers.
All 2T oils are not the same. For example, it is not recommended to use TCW-3 oil in air cooled applications because it is formulated for cooler running water cooled outboards and lack the high temperature protection of 2T dirt bike oil.
Years ago, I did use Mercury outboard 2T oil in power equipment and didn't have any trouble - but then again, leaf blowers and trimmers have an easier life than a dirt bike engine or motorized bike. (Unless you just like to putt around a 1/4 throttle. I think most like to drive WOT all the time!)
The oil film is deposited in the engine as the fuel/oil mix passes through the crankcase. Some of the fuel will deposit on the internal engine parts, evaporate and leave the lubricating film. The rest is burned in the combustion chamber and passed out of the exhaust. 2T oil has additives to keep it from separating, and some have fuel stabilizers.
All 2T oils are not the same. For example, it is not recommended to use TCW-3 oil in air cooled applications because it is formulated for cooler running water cooled outboards and lack the high temperature protection of 2T dirt bike oil.
Years ago, I did use Mercury outboard 2T oil in power equipment and didn't have any trouble - but then again, leaf blowers and trimmers have an easier life than a dirt bike engine or motorized bike. (Unless you just like to putt around a 1/4 throttle. I think most like to drive WOT all the time!)
