Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

[JoLin]

I'm in the market for a used snowblower. Got my eye on a 2-stroke Toro. Do you guys use TCW3 in your lawn machines? Would save me the trouble of keeping 2 different kinds of pre-mixed gasoline around.

Wouldn't want to wreck the Toro, though. If I get conflicting answers here (nah, that wouldn't happen ), I'll just use the specified type.

 

[JB]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

Hi JoLin.

I wouldn't use TC-W3 in an air cooled 2 stroke. Air cooled engines run at considerably higher temps than water cooled.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

Don't know about a newer toro. But, I have an old lawn-boy two stroker I use for trimming 3-4 hours a week in the summer and its been running on outboard oil for at least 15 years with no ill effects. Wife thinks I should get a new one cause its falling apart. The only thing good on it is the engine. But the new ones are all so darn heavy compared to my old one.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

Hi JoLin.

I wouldn't use TC-W3 in an air cooled 2 stroke. Air cooled engines run at considerably higher temps than water cooled.

+1. Air-cooled and water-cooled motors run at greatly different temperatures so the two oils aren't particularly interchangeable. I just use 2 completely different gas cans that way I can't confuse one for the other.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

For years I ran "two stroke' oil in two stroke engines with no problems...pretty much using a paraphrase of Bondo's signature "any oil is better than ...."

Now that I do know there is a difference in formulation, I always use the recommended product.
Maybe I was lucky....or maybe the theoretical difference,in practice, is not a big deal.....but why roll the dice?

 

[bigdee]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

TCW in air cooled two strokes is fine and will not harm anything. It will not work the other around though.

 

[matt167]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

It works fine but I do try to run specific air cooled 2 stroke oil usually.. My only recommendation is if the snow blower is powered by a Tecumseh engine, you may want to pass.. They used 2 strokes made by either Tecumseh or Suzuki and the Suzuki is much better.. My grandfather got one for me to get running, and it only needed carburetor work and a new recoil assembly but it was a PIA to work on and didn't run great

One thing to remember is that Lawn Boy was a subsidiary of Outboard Marine Corp , and some of the later Lawn Boys actually spec'd TCW3 if you did not use their oil.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

In checking around, I found out something I didn't know before I started the thread, and some of you guys hit on it. TCW is for water cooled engines, TC is for air cooled. Bigdee, I get your point but I'll use the recommended stuff.

Thanks.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

Hi JoLin.

I wouldn't use TC-W3 in an air cooled 2 stroke. Air cooled engines run at considerably higher temps than water cooled.

My 2nd on this!....

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

I remember when 2 cycle oil was straight 30 wt oil

 

[bigdee]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

I remember when 2 cycle oil was straight 30 wt oil

Yes, I do too and it was mixed 16:1.
The TWC oil is a low ash less polluting,highly refined oil and has NOTHING to do with temperature....it will run fine in an air cooled engine. The only down side is that it is more expensive.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

Yes, I do too and it was mixed 16:1.
The TWC oil is a low ash less polluting,highly refined oil and has NOTHING to do with temperature....it will run fine in an air cooled engine. The only down side is that it is more expensive.

Oil threads are always a hot button. Still, describing your practical experiences, going against the flow, is useful input to forums like this.

If you want to state that "this is what I run in my engines despite manufacturer's recommendations...." that is fair comment.
But to imply that you actually know what you are talking about is a different thing altogether.
There is a HUGE difference in formulation between these oils...and for sound technical reasons.



The very nature of the uses of air-cooled vs. water cooled two-strokes should highlight that.

The best advice so far is/was JB's.

JB
Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?
Hi JoLin.
I wouldn't use TC-W3 in an air cooled 2 stroke. Air cooled engines run at considerably higher temps than water cooled.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

But to imply that you actually know what you are talking about is a different thing altogether.

I never did imply that. I do not blow smoke. Most everything I post on this forum can be substantiated with fact. Toro snowblowers with their 2 stroke briggs, and Tecumseh both specifically state in owners manual that TCW3 is the recommended oil.
The OP was asking about a snow blower was he not.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

I never did imply that. I do not blow smoke. Most everything I post on this forum can be substantiated with fact. Toro snowblowers with their 2 stroke briggs, and Tecumseh both specifically state in owners manual that TCW3 is the recommended oil.
The OP was asking about a snow blower was he not.

Bigdee is correct. I just bought a 4-year-old Toro with the Briggs 2-stroke. I'm quoting from the operator's guide:

Use Toro 50:1 2-cycle oil (Fuel Stabilizer Added) or an equivalent high-grade NMMA TCW III-certified 2-cycle oil.

Note the NMMA reference. So, there ya go. A bottle of small engine (Husqvarna) 2-cycle oil came with the blower so I'm using that right now, but looks like I can use my outboard pre-mix going forward.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

... I do not blow smoke.

I agree, you usually don't. I've gotten lots of good info from your posts
The wording of my comment left a lot to be desired. I know what I meant....but after a second look, it can be interpreted differently.
I apologise!

Most everything I post on this forum can be substantiated with fact. Toro snowblowers with their 2 stroke briggs, and Tecumseh both specifically state in owners manual that TCW3 is the recommended oil.
The OP was asking about a snow blower was he not.

My 2 cycle air- cooled stuff all say in their manuals to use various specs of 2-cycle oil, but all formulated for the different operating dynamics....way-higher RPM....Temp etc. of air cooled machines. API-TC or JASO-FB for my equipment.
Like you I've gotten away with it many times....but "I didn't know what i was talking about" then.
Now, it simply makes sense to me that if they formulate the different products, it is likely best practice to use them, hence I agree with JB.

What nobody mentioned is the benefit of running high-test gasoline in small air-cooled engines....but that is an entirely new can of worms and i won't go there.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

I have a 1997 Toro 3000GTSE with the Suzuki 2 stroke and in all of Toro's service literature, it advises you to use TCW-3 oil but does not explain why. After doing a lot of research, I was able to find that because 2 stroke snow blowers do not run anywhere near the rpms of a chain saw, blower or weed wacker, they may be prone to combustion chamber deposits using air cooled 2 cycle oil. But you can use the the air cooled stuff as a subsitute. I have used both Echo's Power Blend and Pennzoil Premium Plus semi syn TCW-3 in mine. It seems to run smoother on the Penn, and I may spend the extra money for the Penn full syn to reduce smoking the next time I pick up some oil.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

I'd go with one of the Toro, Echo or Stihl oils sold for chainsaws. Many small two stroke engines only have single piston rings, and they require a synthetic or semi-synthetic premium oil.

 

[Justinde]

Re: Outboard Oil in 'Other' 2-Stroke Engines?

I would go against the grain here and use some Cottee's Cordial. Try Red, it seems to make a sweet smell on a hot day in my 2 stroke ;-)

Seriously but, oils aint oils.