Aspen for a 40:1 mix

[shailagh]

Hi Folks,  Although not particularly saw savoy, I've a 40:1 mix saw and wondering if I can simply use Aspen instead of the mix AND if its cool to let the aspen sit in the saw for 6 months at a time?  Insight greatly appreciated*

[gand]

You could buy the Aspen/Stihl/Husqvarna 4t fuel and mix it yourself and then it's mixed spot on

[john87]

4 minutes ago, gand said:

You could buy the Aspen/Stihl/Husqvarna 4t fuel and mix it yourself and then it's mixed spot on

That is what i would do..

 

john..

[peatff]

I've been using Aspen 2 in a 25:1 mix saw for a while and it's still running alright. The difference between 40 and 50:1 is minimal and oil quality is the deciding factor.

[AHPP]

My understanding of old engines calling for 25:1 or 40:1 (rather than contemporary standard 50:1) mixes is that those mixes were specified at a time where oil was less good so you needed more of it. My understanding follows that fuel with contemporary, better oil can be mixed at 50:1 and will be fine. My own findings back this up. I have an old (early 90s, maybe late 80s) Tecumseh engine that calls for 24:1. I started it on 25:1 and weaned it onto 50:1 over about ten tanks. It works fine on 50:1, including being held open on the governor for full minutes at a time. I've probably done forty or fifty sessions between cold with it on 50:1 and it seems fine. I use Stihl MotoMix (50:1 from the factory) and the extra oil I was adding was just cheap stuff from a motor factor.

Edited January 12, 2022 by AHPP

[john87]

Oil does a lot more than lubricate though. It does five things in fact, some of which may be a bit academic in a two stroke, but anyway, it; lubricates, cools, cleans and carries away impurities and keeps them in suspension, seals, and prevents corrosion..

 

Personally, i would use the ratio the makers specified, but if you have had no problems, then happy days..

 

I would be careful adding extra oil to premix though as the oil you are adding [the cheap stuff would be JASO FB] might not be compatible with whatever is in the premix [The oil in the stihl motomix is JASO FB so should be ok though]

 

NEVER use anything that says API TCW on the label though.. This is for motor boat engines and has all the "goodness" taken out lest it hurt the fish..

 

As a point of interest, the makers of my ECHO saws state that you must use a JASO FD oil for them, and so i use the Husqvarna XP2 as this has the FD oil required..

 

john..

[shailagh]

OK SO my understanding is that even though its Aspen, it still requires oil mix (eye roll moment..).  

Can anyone back up that Aspen can sit in a saw for a few months at a time?

[gand]

Yes it can. As said theres two types. One being pre mixed 2t fuel at 50:1 and the 4t version that just replaces unleaded 

[Stubby]

13 minutes ago, shailagh said:

OK SO my understanding is that even though its Aspen, it still requires oil mix (eye roll moment..).  

Can anyone back up that Aspen can sit in a saw for a few months at a time?

No . You can buy Aspen 2 ( pink can ) which is Alkylate fuel mixed with good quality oil @ 50 : 1 . Or , you can buy Aspen 4 ( blue can ) which you can put into 4 stroke engines or , mix with your oil of choice for 2 stroke engines . I mix Aspen 4 with Red Line Racing oil a@ 50:1 just coz I have quite a lot of Red line oils here .

Edited January 12, 2022 by Stubby

[AJStrees]

I use Aspen 2 or the Husky equivalent. It works well on all of my small engines. Aspen 2 seems to be a very good mix and all saws seem to like using it. don't use anything else with the small engines these days its miles better than 2 stroke mixes on all fronts IMHO.