Jiffy fuel mixture help

[carp_assasin]

I have a Jiffy legend 3HP that I bought late last year. It has a 24:1 ratio. Everything else I own has a 60:1 ratio. If my logic is correct, two premeasured 60:1 bottles should give me a 30:1 ratio? :confused: If so, is 30:1 too lean to run a 24:1 engine.

Also, do they sell premeasured 24:1 ....2 cycle oil?


Thanks in advance,
Ben

[jpollman]

Ben, one thing I've found to be very helpful is a fuel/oil measuring bottle. I got it at West Marine but I'm sure just about any boat store would have them. It has almost ALL of the normal ratios listed on it. You just select the ratio that you want. Then there are marks on one side of the scale that show how many gallons of fuel and the other has the amount of oil for that much fuel. Then just fill it up to the appropriate mark and you're all set.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Yes that should work. Next time get Optimal Synthetic. Thats good for all ratios up to 100:1 That way you have one mix for all 2-cycle engines. There is also a brand named One-mix, thats good too.

[carp_assasin]

thanks, good info from both of you.

[Take Five]

New Oils are sized in content to match the amount of gas that you intend to mix with it. For example; you purchase a bottle that says 1 gallon of gas and that is what you mix it with. This mixture will work in any 2 cycle engine regardless of what it calls for in ratio. Premium gas is required in most cases. Never have to remember or worry about proper ratio anymore with these oils.

Wayne

[Tom22]

5.2oz bottle to 1 gallon fuel

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Optimal is 1.3 oz per gal.

[Bolo]

I use Stihl 50:1 oil in every 2 cycle engine I have one bottle to 2.5 gallons. I even use it in my Husky, kind of ironic but I never had any problems & its alot easier than having a different can for every toy, use good oil and you will be okay. Bolo

[jpollman]

A couple of years ago my father bought a new gas blower at Rochester Lawn Equipment. While talking to the salesman he was complaining about all the different ratios. Seems like every piece of 2 cycle gear has calls for a different ratio. The salesman told him just to use a GOOD QUALITY oil at 40:1 and it would work fine in any 2 cycle engine. I wish they would standardize it. It would be nice to be able to run 40:1 in everything but with the cost of gear today, I'm not willing to chance it. I just have several cans mixed up to the recommended ratios.

[Bolo]

That Stihl oil might be 40:1 now that you say that, I am not to sure off hand. I was told to use that by a lawn equipment sales owner about ten years back and have never had a problem since.

[Sib]

My tools per owners manual:
Merc - 50:1
Weed Wacker, Leaf Blower and Chainsaw - 40:1
Ice Auger - 24:1

I follow the manuals recomondations for each item. For the auger I go to Gander (or a good sporting goods store) and get the Strikemaster 2 cycle oil in the Ice Fishing section. It's pre-measured for a 1 gallon can, one bottle for one gallon.

http://iceteam.com/images/2cycleoil.gif

[UNCLE AL]

I bought a Lawnboy mower 20+ years ago and started using mixed oil then. After more toys were bought that needed mixed fuel, and the thought of a can for each one, I decided then it would be only one can. So that's what it is today. One can of Lawnboy oil in a 2 1/2 gallon can,and use this for everything that needs a mix. I've had good luck with all of my toys.

[DetroitIron]

Your best bet is to go with what Walleye Mike said. Use synthetic two stroke oil. You can go much leaner than petroleum, which means much less of a tendency for ash buildup and spark plug fouling (two stroke engines have a tendency to foul plugs) I run 60:1 ratio (60 parts fuel, one part oil). I use a "ratio rite" plastic mixing cup that you can get at any motorcycle / ATV store. I also get my synthetic oil at the cycle shop. I run "Golden Spectro" or "Bel Ray". Good stuff. Used it for the last 20 years without burning up one engine.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I use Optimal commercially. Use it all my 2-cycle equipment. Trimmer, blowers, chainsaws,snowblowers,ice auger......
Never had a problem. I buy by the gal. One gal makes 500 gal of mix. I mix 1 5-gal can for all machines at a time. Great stuff. Never had a plug foul either.

[jpollman]

Well, seeing how Walleye Mike is a commerial landscaper and uses this stuff all the time I guess that's good enough for me. I'm just about out of my 2 cycle mix in most of my cans anyway. Maybe I'll have to mix up a batch like he does. It'll certainly be easier than 3 or 4 different cans in the garage. Oh by the way, I always use Sta-Bil in my 2 cycle mix because it takes me a while to use up a batch. But maybe with only one can, I'll go a little quicker and be less likely to go "stale". But still Sta-Bil is the way to go. I had some stabilized fuel in a lawnmower at my last house. When I bought this house I needed a tractor so the lawnmower just got put in the garage and not used for over 2 years. I could have sworn that I ran the mower out of fuel but I didn't. There was still about 1/4 tank when I pulled it out and looked at it. I figured it was shot and I'd have to pull the carb apart and clean everything out. I wasn't in the mood to get into that so I thought I'd see what happened if I tried to start it. It started on the SECOND PULL after not running in over TWO YEARS ! Sta-Bil's GREAT STUFF !

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I too use Sta-bil. for over wintering left over gas in tanks. But I still do run out the gas on the carbs. Works great in snowblowers over the summer too. Use in my boat for overwintering, and it starts right away in the spring.

[zman]

If it smokes then out a little less in next time.


Zman

[carp_assasin]

I may try the synthetic before the warranty goes out, that way I can just take it back to Cabela's if it craps out! :eek:

[Icehole Ken]

I have lots of brand 2 stroke oils also. I always put stabil in but the oils I bought this year say "contains fuel stabilizer" so I'm not adding it anymore.

[Burksee]

Originally posted by Icehole Ken
I always put stabil in but the oils I bought this year say "contains fuel stabilizer" so I'm not adding it anymore.

Ken, What is the name of that oil?

Carp, Another factor to consider when choosing an oil. Whether it be synthetic or not make sure the oil you purchase is recommended for "air cooled" engines, they run hotter and harder than liquid cooled engines. A lot of oils are rated for liquid cooled engines only. Also, my experience has taught me to stay away from "premium" gas, to many additives that you don’t need for your (air cooled 2 cycle engines) auger, it has a lower flash point and can cause vapor lock in a hot engine. The standard 87 octane is all its ever going to need.

[gamalot]

I have found the biggest problem with any two stroke mix is just plain stale gas. I went with the synthetic mix and use nothing but premium fuel to begin with. I also went to making one gallon at a time. Since my weed eater, chain saw and auger take the same fuel/oil mix, my gas gets used and never stays in the can for extended periods.
Most gas cans have a relief valve that allows some breathing.
Gas, when poured on the ground will eventually evaporate. I think it also evaporates to some degree while in a vented can.
Fresh fuel and good quality oil is the key to good running equipment. Also remember there is an air/fuel adjustment screw on most two cycle carbs and this adjustment is far more important then the exact correct ratio mix. Too lean and you burn your equipment up, too rich and it runs doggy, fouls spark plugs and makes smoke.
I expect some smoke when the machine first starts up and when the choke is on. Once it is warmed to operating temp and under load, very little smoke should be noticed.
Anyone who believes the carb on your new toy comes properly adjusted, from the factory, for every environment and altitude, needs to contact me and buy this bridge.:p