Breaking in a new auger

[Luck e 1]

To make a long story short...

I just got a new strikemaster auger for christmas. New in the box. I had to change undies I was so pumped.

What is the best way to break it in and ensure the best performance?

[MuskieJunkie]

It's not Chirstmas yet!, was someone looking through their presents early?

I would run a non-synthetic oil for a while and let it idle and warm up for a while before each use.

[stmichael]

What I have been told (and have done this... twice) is to mix the oil regular 2 stroke oil..if it is a strikemaster use strikemaster oil. Get a half of a gallon and mix it for a gallon this will double the amount of oil required under "normal" operation. Take power head off of auger and place over a 5 gallon pail...unless you have a bracket that will support as one piece. Start it and let it run for 45 minutes. I have been told that the extra oil will condition the rings and allow them to seat properly. On the first 1/2 gallon I used up the gas, Drilled a lot of holes and when that gas was gone I used regular mix 24:1 for another gallon and then I found out about Amsoil 100:1 been using it since.

This is the second auger I "broke in" this way and the other is still being used by my brother. I was going to buy my brother an auger, but, I gave him my 3 year old one instead. This was 3 years ago.

This is what I was told, it will be interesting to see what others do.

[theoilman]

You can use AMSOIL 2-cycle oil in a brand new machine, but most use it at double strength for the first couple of tanks of gas. (The new power-head is tighter and likes additional lube.) In a pre-mix machine use AMSOIL Saber-Professional at 50-1. After a couple of tanks of gas you can then lean it off.

Also, in other machines such as sleds/snow-mobiles that have oil injected 2-cycle engines, you can use the AMSOIL Interceptor in the oil tank, plus use it 50-1 in the gas tank too - with oil injected the only way to get double strength is pre-mix also.

[trollingforeyes]

Run a couple of tanks with the reg oil;(be sure to warm up the motor at idle for a few minutes first) and then drill lots of holes. After a couple of tanks of reg oil/gas mix, switch over to the Amsoil mix 100 to 1 ratio. Happy drilling with a fine auger! Be sure to let the auger run about a minute before giving it full throttle anytime for longer life.

[Luck e 1]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I will probably use a variety of suggestions. I just don't want to screw it up.

[BIG DS]

Just mix the oil and gas at the recommended amount, run a tank or two through it and it will be fine. Make sure as stated that you let it warm up properly before you start drilling. If you don't you may seize the engine. As for the Amsoil or the Stensmix, if you have considered using either brand of mix, wait until you have a couple tanks of regular mix throught the engine. Amsoil and Stens work almost too good for proper break-in. They never quite let the rings seat so you will never acheive the top performance the engine is capable of. Just break it in with the Strikemaster oil mixed properly, in short.

[jwhjr]

Quote:

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You can use AMSOIL 2-cycle oil in a brand new machine, but most use it at double strength for the first couple of tanks of gas. (The new power-head is tighter and likes additional lube.) In a pre-mix machine use AMSOIL Saber-Professional at 50-1. After a couple of tanks of gas you can then lean it off.

Also, in other machines such as sleds/snow-mobiles that have oil injected 2-cycle engines, you can use the AMSOIL Interceptor in the oil tank, plus use it 50-1 in the gas tank too - with oil injected the only way to get double strength is pre-mix also.

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I picked up a Strikemaster Mag 2000 last Friday and mixed up the first tank at 50:1 with the Amsoil Saber. I've been using the Saber for a couple of years now and had no reservations breaking it in at a leaner mix than the recommended 24:1. I tested it out Saturday and it ran great, no oil/smoke etc. Once I get a few tanks through it I'll go to 100:1 like in all my other 2-strokes (chainsaw/weed trimmer/leaf blower). It's nice to have 1 tank for everything (and keeps the gas fresh to use it year round too ). Thanks oilman.