STIHL 2 Stroke Premix

[Grumpy Bear]

Several seasons ago I bought a STIHL string trimmer and leaf blower. Both utilize a 50:1 mix BUT as I would find out over a few seasons not just any old mix will do. 

Seems STIHL went out of their way to use a diaphragm material that really doesn't like Ethanol. It doesn't gum up. It....well....melts for lack of a better term. Of course having created a problem they also created a cure! Who knew, right? Make a mystery fuel that is diaphragm compatible. Then sell if for a Kings Ransom. Local? Over $8 a quart, $36 a gallon. Of course it's always good to use a ratio that will assure you buying another long before you should ever need to. During the repair the richen the mix to help engine life but it takes the guts out of it. 

 

I had one repaired and replaced the other and told my dealer it would be the last STIHL products I ever buy if this is the plan. 

 

Locally I can buy alcohol free 90 octane 'recreational' fuel for $3.19 a gallon. A quart of AMSOIL 2 stroke oil and a bottle of GUMOUT Regane. 

 

1 Gallon of gas. 1 Ounce of Regane (PEA) and 3 ounces of AMSOIL for a 43.3:1 mix that cost with my AMSOIL discount $5.28 a GALLON. Runs like it did new at a fraction of the cost and is shelf stable for at least six months. I still drain and run dry for season end but...it goes year after year. 

[KARNUT]

I don’t used my chainsaw often. I buy premix from Home Depot. I’ve had the same chainsaw many years. It starts every time. My other trimmers I’ve gone battery power. The next chainsaw will be too.


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[Grumpy Bear]

I have a battery drill. Porter Cable. They like to cycle out the battery and charger every few years so  you can buy a new one when it quits working. I love this. Not. 

 

I refuse to pay $38 a gallon for fuel.

 

 No!

[KARNUT]

I’ve spent many years with chainsaws. It’s part of clearing ROWS. The fuel I buy at Home Depot is synthetic and last a long time. If I used my saw a lot I would mix my own. 38$ a gallon, where? I buy a qt. I’ve had the same fuel for two years. If you mix it, the shelf life is very short. My electric power tools are very old. Grass hog trimmers are under 100$. I accumulated several over the years. I used the same brand where the battery’s are interchangeable. I have an extended trimmer, same batteries. Never a problem.


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[Grumpy Bear]

Good for you. 

 

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/oils--lubricants-and-fuels/premixed-fuel/motomix/

 

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/fluids-and-lubrication/lubricants/1001500

 

https://www.amazon.com/Stihl-7010-871-0203-MotoMix-Premixed-Fuel/dp/B072QDS83Z/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpafG7qiP6gIVTr7ACh0G5wleEAMYAiAAEgKaCfD_BwE&hvadid=381153460076&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9021827&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=16919222524194213287&hvtargid=kwd-353978481963&hydadcr=18676_10228441&keywords=stihl+motomix+premixed+fuel&qid=1592619302&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-20

 

How many ya want?

 

Local small engine dealer has it $8 a quart, $36 a gallon and if you use their fuel they, STIHL, will double your warranty.

 

I make a gallon at a time. Use several a season and don't store over the winter. 

 

 

[KARNUT]

That brand is pretty much all we used over the years. Chain saws, all sizes and pole saws. Always mixed our own gas. I only started using pre mix after retirement. It last longer. I forgot your an expert at everything. My bad.


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[KARNUT]

That brand is pretty much all we used over the years. Chain saws, all sizes and pole saws. Always mixed our own gas. I only started using pre mix after retirement. It last longer. I forgot your an expert at everything. My bad.


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Home depo has it for a little over 5$ for 32 oz.


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[Grumpy Bear]

A little over $5 a quart or $5 a gallon.

Does the same thing. 

Just trying to be helpful.

How much expertise can that take?

 

 

How about you put down that grudge before you strain something

 

 

 

 

 

[KARNUT]

No grudge. Just explaining what works for limited chain saw use. Most of my trimming I use battery power pole saws, extended hedge trimmers and weed eaters with good results. Living in a an area that could get a tropical system it good to keep a can of sealed fuel. And a gas chain saw for downed limbs. The fuel last a long time. Now go ahead and get your last word like usual and we’ll be done cause I am.


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[diyer2]

I have a Stihl chain saw. Bought used. 

A Kawasaki leaf blower. Bought new.

Both 50-1 mix.

 

I use Stihl 2 cycle oil and 87 octane gas that can have 10% alcohol. Stihl 2 cycle oil used to have stabilizer in it. Not any more.

Use 2-3 gallons a year. Mostly in leaf blower. Leaf blower is 10 years old.

 

Never had a problem with either one. Occasional use of Sea Foam.

Used at elevations from 5200 - 9500 feet.

 

 

[garagerog]

14 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Good for you. 

 

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/oils--lubricants-and-fuels/premixed-fuel/motomix/

 

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/fluids-and-lubrication/lubricants/1001500

 

https://www.amazon.com/Stihl-7010-871-0203-MotoMix-Premixed-Fuel/dp/B072QDS83Z/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpafG7qiP6gIVTr7ACh0G5wleEAMYAiAAEgKaCfD_BwE&hvadid=381153460076&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9021827&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=16919222524194213287&hvtargid=kwd-353978481963&hydadcr=18676_10228441&keywords=stihl+motomix+premixed+fuel&qid=1592619302&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-20

 

How many ya want?

 

Local small engine dealer has it $8 a quart, $36 a gallon and if you use their fuel they, STIHL, will double your warranty.

 

I make a gallon at a time. Use several a season and don't store over the winter. 

 

 

If I remember correctly and correct me if I'm wrong there are 4 quarts per gallon. Not even using new math does 4 x $8 = $36, more like $32, nit picky I know, but since I know some are a stickler for details. . . . .

[swathdiver]

After reading this, 4-strokes are looking better!

[carkhz316]

As a snowmobiler, ethanol gas has been the bane of my/ our existence. It's been a thing to avoid it at all costs. I've since adopted the strategy some odd years ago for any seasonal use/ small gas engine; 2 or 4 stroke, and most fuel related issues have been a thing of the past. I encourage others to do the same and stop buying that crappy ethanol gas (cars and trucks are okay, at least if it's a DD).

Edited June 20, 2020 by carkhz316

[Grumpy Bear]

5 hours ago, garagerog said:

If I remember correctly and correct me if I'm wrong there are 4 quarts per gallon. Not even using new math does 4 x $8 = $36, more like $32, nit picky I know, but since I know some are a stickler for details. . . . .

Not picky a moving target. First post I used my local pricing of $8 a quart. That is $36. (See First Post) My Lowe's and local Toro/STIHL dealers price.

 

Then Stan said not so, so I showed him a laundry list of web searches where there was a spread of a few dollars a gallon. Even found an Amazon seller that was $32 a quart!!! Didn't use that one. Then Stan gives me HIS local big box price, in Texas, and in the return post I used his $5 price. 

 

Understand? I don't.....mud in the water isn't useful.

 

Just tying to keep the peace AND provide some information that may be useful the community.  Stay away for alcohol, use PEA and a really good 2 stroke oil and get out of Dodge with your pants still up.

 

 

[KARNUT]

If I remember correctly and correct me if I'm wrong there are 4 quarts per gallon. Not even using new math does 4 x $8 = $36, more like $32, nit picky I know, but since I know some are a stickler for details. . . . .

My original post was I didn’t use my chain saw much anymore. Home Depot has fuel that last 3 years unopened 2 years after opened. If regular mix last 6 months before degrading your better off buying the sealed home depot fuel. The mix is usually for 2 gals of fuel. You could use 1/2 of the mix for a gal of gas. If you only use your saw a couple times a year, you’re mix gallon or 2 gal is degrading. I guess you could always use it in your mower so it’s not wasted. Or by a qt at Home Depot and have a couple of fills in the chainsaw, problem solved. No where I said buy a gallon of the stuff. Just wanted to clear that up.


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