On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 03:13:36 GMT, "Tom Treadway"
wrote:

This is a potentially stupid question, but what the heck...

Is ANY oil appropriate for use with a 2-cycle? Can I get any synthetic oil,
or does it have to me made especially for 2-cycles?

Thanks,
TT

I remember as a kid many years ago!!!! ... if I ran out of 2 stroke
oil for my 50 c.c. motorcycle, I'd swipe some of my Dad's lawn mower
oil. Apart from a plug fouling up sooner than it should, I don't
remember any ill effects. And, on a 50 c.c., any lack of performance
is immediately obvious.

I have also run weed whackers on marine grade 2 stroke oil for years
with no ill effects. My understanding is that air cooled engines run
way hotter than water cooled outboards, hence this oil is unsuitabe.
Granted, I don't run machinary like I stole it,

Apart from bearings, reed valves & compression on a 2 stroke, the
crank seals are just as important because the crank case is
pressurised on the down stroke. Running the wrong oil could degrade
these seals, or fry them. It's no fun to completely split a motor
because a $5 seal is cooked.

One more factor. The exhaust system/porting on a 2 stroke is critical
to performance and "economy". The wrong oil could well clog up both.
On the bright side, your compression ratio will increase (adjust the
timing).

So why do I still run the wrong oil in my weed whacker .... because it
very seldom runs above idle, and it's one less potential fire hazard
to worry about (that extra can of gas). Besides, if it didn't like the
way I was treating it, it would have quit 11 years ago.

Safe Boating.