Oil for 50:1 dilution in lawn equipment
 

This is obviously not for use in a Mercedes but perhaps one of the members would know the answer.

I have a Husqvarna string trimmer that requires adding oil to the gas in a 50:1 ratio and while reading the instruction manual I noticed that they state "never use two-stroke oil intended for water-cooled outboard engines." They further state "never use oil intended for four-stroke engines."

This seems to be an odd statement as marine engine oil for outboards is intended to be diluted 50:1 and outboards seem to last almost forever.

Being a bit of a cynic, and because they sell their brand oil which is "specially formulated" for "our two-stroke engines," this is nothing more than a sales lie to sell quite expensive oil. Anyone think differently?

It's sort of like using diesel only rated oil in a 4 stroke gas engine. It will work but the formulation is wrong.

It has been a while since I looked at this but I believe that air cooled 2 stroke oil can tolerate high temps better than TCW water cooled 2 stroke oil.

Never use 4 stroke crankcase oil as it isn't designed to be burnt ( forms ash ) even though the diesel guys will dump filtered used oil in their fuel tank thinking they are being economical. ( In the 50's / 60's some 2 strokes used 4 stroke oil at a 16:1 ratio and sort of got away with it because the oil didn't have much in the way of additives. )

How is this a lie and expensive compared to what? I would not think that over the life of the trimmer the oil cost would be significant.

Find a lawn care guy and ask what they use and what sort of engine life they get. It does not count if they are buying low line trimmers and treating them as disposable by dumping anything in.

For my 2 stroke stuff I buy name brand 2 stroke oil in quarts then transfer to the small bottles for easy measuring.

Maybe oil for two-stroke watercoooed outboards (TCW-3) isn't up to the higher operating temps of an aircooled two-stroke. Any oil for aircooled two-strokes should be fine.

This stuff works out to about $12/qt - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009SS2JBI/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1489366370&sr=8-11&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=husqvarna+two+stroke+oil

Ron, no balance shaft issues with the 211 wagon or are they behind you?

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

In my experience with lubricants, I KNOW there are many different types that need to be used for specific reasons.

What I have seen is that the manufacturer knows what is best and there are reasons they specify a specific type. So I listen to their advice. Best to do as they recommend if you ask me.

I do know from experience that Stihl Ultra two cycle oil will prevent carbon build-up - as the manufacturer claims. And that is what I use for my Stihl saws. It is not cheap!

Another thing I have learned is that automotive parts store clerks DO NOT KNOW SQUAT about what should be used with what. They are not factory engineers, yet many people will take their word over what is suggested in a factory service manual! (I'm not talking about Mercedes internet parts sites where they do have some very knowledgeable people.)

There is an internet forum [bobistheoilguy] which goes into extreme scientific detail as to what is what with various types of oil/lubricants. Might want to poke around there...
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/forum_summary

Ron, I use Echo Power Blend 2 Stoke Oil, 2-Gallon Mix for my Echo backpack blower, Echo string trimmer and Stihl chainsaw. Have never had any problems due to fuel/oil mix, and always use mid-grade (87 octane) gas per advice from a local garden tool dealer.

I use Quicksilver 2 stroke outboard oil (red label). Buy it in gallon jug at Wallyworld. $20. Saved small bottles to pour into for exact mix. We use about a gallon a year. Have 3 Stihl saws, Husqavarna blower and weed wacker. The newest is 15 years old. They have never failed. If it is good enough for Mercury Marine, it's good enough for me. All have great compression, they get a new plug and clean the filter once a year. I only use NGK plugs, They seem to foul out the least. it is also sold in quarts. Hope that helps.

4 my $.02...

In my Husqvarna tools, I use cheapest 2stroke at wallyworld... but non marine makes total sense because a water cooled motor has a very low temp rise compared to air cooled... but, yeah, I wouldn't choose oem branded oil on anything but the most expensive lawn tools...