Oil Mixing Ratio ??

[ray]

Ray here.

After 40+ years and 1000s of pistons in two strokes oil failure  has been the least
Of the replacement needs and those that did fail were because there was no oil at all..
Yes oils from the 70s were no better than using  30w motor oil (think Saab)20.1 was needed
Fouled plugs- poor idle-carbon build up and a lot of smoke were just a part of it.
Two strokes don't even need oil at idle.....If you lose a motor at 50.1 it was most likely not the oil.
Oil has come a long ways in 50 years..

Mix up what ever gives you that fell good feeling...

[Vintagesleds.com]

[DrVisegrips]

I think the debate over fuel mix in the Kawasaki Triple forum went on for about 34 pages or something like that!

It's mostly up to you what you want to run, as long as you don't go too lean.   If you want to run the old sleds at 20:1, about the only thing you may do that's bad is foul plugs and rob yourself of a little performance.  I ran mine mostly at 20:1.   I think the last couple years I was riding the old ones, I ran 50:1 in a Merc S/R and a Twister, but I still ran 20:1 in the others.  I just never felt real comfortable in going leaner.

Lots of people run a good oil at 50:1 without incident.   I just was never that much into performance, I figure the best way for me to speed up is to lose 10 lbs!    Plugs and oil...at least 20 years ago...were cheap.   Pistons, re-honing, rings and shop time, not so much.

[zuknomad]

I'm asking what's wrong with the 20:1 merc says to run.......

That was back when you needed more oil to do the job that a modern oil can do with less.

I tried to run the manufacturer-specified 20:1 mix with a modern oil in my Suzuki 292 Nomad when I first got it back on the snow and all it did was foul plugs, no matter the carb settings. Started running 32:1 and all was well.

If I'd used Suzuki CCI 30 weight that was the standard back in the day, then 20:1 would have burned fine. I didn't have any, and wouldn't have looked for any, except maybe to have a can of it to stick on the shelf as memorabilia. The newer stuff works better using less because of the advanced technology in it's makeup, compared to the oils of 40-plus years ago.

[Gilson435]

Just for a laugh

But there's snogo dirty movie in the shed!!!!!!!!!!

LOL! 

20:1!!    What the... You can't run 20:1...Jk!    Nothing wrong with 20:1 if that is what works for you

Arctic Cat recommended 50:1 if using Suzuki Spirit oil but 20:1 if using any other brand of oil... 

Oil injection meters oil from 120:1 - 20:1... so if you plan to just let your sled sit and idle 120:1 should be fine and vise versa if you plan on heavy loads and WOT lake runs you may want 20:1. And again oil choice does make a difference if you look at oil test results

[bobby]

Huh, my sachs 290 putts around all day, tank after tank, on 24:1, and doesn't foul plugs...... Must be them new formula oils?

[T-Dub13]

Any oil, any ratio between 20:1 and 50:1 will work fine as long as you're jetted correctly.  I've never seen an actual oil related failure.  There's always something else going on when an engine siezes.

I like 40:1 for mixing ease.  1/2 a quart to 5 gallons and done!

If your jets are fixed (as in not adjust on the fly), then remember more oil means less fuel.  This can be counter-intuitive.  If a motor runs great at 50:1 and you switch to 20:1, you effectively leaning out the gas / air mixture.  This can also be used as a tuning trick:  Run 20:1 on the warm days for extra lubrication and less fuel and run 50:1 on cold days for richer fuel mixture. 

[ray]

The best way to start a long tread with a lot of posts is to use the words OIL or TIRES...

They are all the best ever used or the worst.
OR my grandfather told me_________( insert your own story.....)

Ray

[bobby]

Oil failure looks like heat failure.... just a thought.

[ray]

Ray here.

Oil failure and heat failure look very different... Reading pistons is not a black art..
But it can take some time to know what your looking at...

Ray..

[j3greg]

If your jets are fixed (as in not adjust on the fly), then remember more oil means less fuel.  This can be counter-intuitive.  If a motor runs great at 50:1 and you switch to 20:1, you effectively leaning out the gas / air mixture.  This can also be used as a tuning trick:  Run 20:1 on the warm days for extra lubrication and less fuel and run 50:1 on cold days for richer fuel mixture.

Jetting also depends on what oil you are using

If the oil is burning it is adding to the power stroke - if not, it is just lubricating

http://www.wdarc.org/articles_files/2%20stroke%20Oil%20Test.pdf

[sledder1]

Snoracer, I will take your advice since this was your sled. I couldn't remember what you told me.

Thanks to everyone that responded.

   Skip

[zuknomad]

Huh, my sachs 290 putts around all day, tank after tank, on 24:1, and doesn't foul plugs...... Must be them new formula oils?

Your sled is not my sled. This was my experience with a 292 Suzuki with a Mikuni, not an SA 290 with a Tillotson. Apples and oranges.   

[T-Dub13]

If your jets are fixed (as in not adjust on the fly), then remember more oil means less fuel.  This can be counter-intuitive.  If a motor runs great at 50:1 and you switch to 20:1, you effectively leaning out the gas / air mixture.  This can also be used as a tuning trick:  Run 20:1 on the warm days for extra lubrication and less fuel and run 50:1 on cold days for richer fuel mixture.

Jetting also depends on what oil you are using

If the oil is burning it is adding to the power stroke - if not, it is just lubricating

http://www.wdarc.org/articles_files/2%20stroke%20Oil%20Test.pdf

Aha!  I forgot about the oil actually burning.  Some do, some don't.  Great point Greg!

[HypoTX]

I use 14oz. Klotz Techniplate in 5 gallons. 45.7:1.. Yep, I'm odd, but it's been working for years. Just wanted a tad more than 50:1.

[bobby]

Huh, my sachs 290 putts around all day, tank after tank, on 24:1, and doesn't foul plugs...... Must be them new formula oils?

Your sled is not my sled. This was my experience with a 292 Suzuki with a Mikuni, not an SA 290 with a Tillotson. Apples and oranges.

290ss with a 38mic...