Using Amsoil in new Auger

[4889]

I just bought a new Nils auger. Wanting to protect the investment, I emailed tanaka about using Amsoil at 100:1. Their response back was not to use particularly because of the ethanol in most fuels. I'm looking to see what everyone else knows or has heard.

[gonecribbin]

Since its NEW I would use what it recommends in the book... You dont want to void any warranties....

[DTro]

I’ve been using Amsoil for the past few years and I know others have as well.

You might want to bump the ratio up a little bit just for peace of mind.

Engine manufacturers will come up with a recommendation and usually stick to their guns on it. Which makes sense, they can’t be giving out info that might potentially be bad. It’s never a bad idea to follow their advice. I’m sure they test their engines under specific conditions and don’t have data to backup claims about other types of oil.

[Jim Almquist]

I broke my Nils in with Amsoil mixed at 80:1 and it is on its 3rd year with no problems. I still run it at 80:1 but I will ONLYuse NON-ethanol gas.

Actually That is all I burn in all of my small motors.

Save the ethanol blend for the car and truck were it gets burned up faster.

[4889]

Where are you finding th non-ethanol gas?

[jwhjr]

MSRA has a list of stations that sell non-oxy fuel on their site. Can't link to it here, but if you search for it you can find it easily.

[BrdHunter01]

Every FF i've seen has non-oxygenated gas.... If that helps.

[trapperdirk]

I broke my Nils in with Amsoil mixed at 80:1 and it is on its 3rd year with no problems. I still run it at 80:1 but I will ONLYuse NON-ethanol gas.

Actually That is all I burn in all of my small motors.

Save the ethanol blend for the car and truck were it gets burned up faster.

I did the exact same thing and I'm going into the 4th or is it 5th season with my Nils . No Ethanol gas nor dino junk oil mixes for any of my gear but a capful of seafoam to stabilize per gallon just incase of condensation .

TD

[Jim Almquist]

MSRA has a list of stations that sell non-oxy fuel on their site. Can't link to it here, but if you search for it you can find it easily.

The Minnesota Street Rods has a list under features of most of the Non-Oxy stations but the list is not complete. The gas station I use in Carlton is not listed.

[CJH]

I think the oil man recommends break in at 50:1, even with Amsoil.

I would break it in at whatever ratio the manufacturer states, regardless of the brand of oil you use.

[deadeye]

I would stick to what the manufacturer recommends for break in. Synthetic is great, but I would stick to what Tanaka says at least for break in. After that let her rip with whatever you want.

[BrdHunter01]

My auger states on the motor "24 to 1" I thought that was a little excessive but I'll prob just keep using what they recomend and if any problems come up I hope they would provide great customer service.... I just stick with what the manufacturer suggests.

[gvt]

jimalm and trapperdirk

Just curious, why do only use non-ethanol? Is it only because of the shorter shelf-life? I don't understand why Tanaka would recommend against using Amsoil with ethanol blend. Is this just a case of CYA?

I've been using Amsoil Sabre mixed at 100:1 with 90-91 octane oxygenated fuel for about 5 years. I use it in my leaf-blower, weed-eater, lawn mower, and 15 year old Jiffy auger. They all run better than ever!

[Jim Almquist]

The way I look at it I don't burn that much non-oxy maybe 20 to 30 gallons a year and I never have any problems with any of my small engines. I always have Stabil on hand if I think that the motor is going to sit idle for a couple of months. I guess why take the chance that the gas will break down or eat away some rubber part that could screw up the carb and give me a unwanted project for the extra $10.00 to $20.00 a year it might cost.

[gvt]

jimalm,

Fair enough. I'm just too lazy to find non-oxy! That may catch up to me some day.

I was hoping to understand if there is an issue with ethanol and synthetic. Where's that Oilman?

[Phred52]

4889, Would probably be easier to answer your question, If we'd know in what area you're looking. I get my Non-Oxy at SSL. Phred52

[trapperdirk]

Our Shell gas here is 91 and has no ethanol . The ethanol blends actually draw moisture which also separates the oil and gas from the mixture . It also eats or degrades fittings and such so you end up with even more junk trying to pass through your carb . The shelf life of ethanol fuels is also terrible and another reason it is not sold anywhere in any marina in Ontario . When your tank becomes low you can actually end up with more ethanol and water at the bottom of your tank then actual gas because of the separation . Not good for your small engines especially .

Only my truck gets the cheaper stuff but none of my two strokes nor my atv .

TD

[Esox_Magnum]

Per Nils responce on break in I ran Amsoil 50:1 first gallon of gas then switched to 80:1. I have no problems getting non ethenal down here in Iowa every station sell it

[theoilman]

There have been several threads running the last few days about augers and lubrication, I didn't catch this one before. (I play clarinet at church and been in Christmas musical program this weekend and not been on line much.)

AMSOIL Saber Professional is fine with all the traditional pump gas available, up to 10% alcohol. All 2-cycle engine manufacturers recommend against E-85 (to the best of my knowledge).

The main problems with alcohol (oxygenation additive) in gasoline in small engines (ALL):

1. Energy Content. Octane is a measure of flash point (not energy level). When you add alcohol you enhance the flash point at the sacrifice of energy level - you just plain lose power! The gas companies are actually using a base gasoline of less than 87 octane and boosting it with the alcohol to get "regular".

2. Water and vented fuel tanks. All small engines (2- and 4-cycle) have vented fuel tanks. The alcohol content attracts water. Yes, the alcohol holds water in suspension so it will burn through the engine, but only up to a limited amount. The alcohol will actually keep attracting water beyond its saturation point and build up a puddle of water in the bottom of the tank.

Today's automotive fuel tanks are vented back into the engine where there should be little water vapor problems reducing the potential problems, but all small engines tanks are direct atmosphere vented.

[Jim Almquist]

Thank You Don for all the great Info and further justifying my reason for only using Non-Oxy in all of my motors but the car and truck.

[4889]

Thanks for the feedback Oilman.

It still sounds to me like using the Amsoil is the best approach.

[4889]

Oilman, I forgot to ask, what you recommend for break-in using the Amsoil?

[Tyler23]

i just e-mail jiffy today. they said warrenty is void if you run amsoil that lean it must be 40:1.. i run interceptor in mine 40:1 doesnt smoke at all so i dont get why you would need to run it leaner?

[theoilman]

I recommend running break in at twice as rich, use AMSOIL Saber Professional at 50-1 for the first couple of tanks (mix one pillow pack in 1/2 gallon of gas, then next batch of gas you can go leaner).

[Hoffer]

Oilman

What about a strikemaster lazer auger that has been run for 2 seasons with the strikemaster oil. can I just convert right over to 80:1...or should I run rich the first tank?

Also, was it confirmed on here or not - that its OK and maybe actually better to use regular gas...not the Non-oxy?

Thanks!

Hoffer