I mixed up 2 gallons of chainsaw gas not long ago--less than 1 month ago for a fenceline project, but it has rained and rained since then, and is still too wet & muddy down there for me to do any cutting, with more rain forecast now. I don't like to keep 2 cycle mix stored for very long, and would like to use it in my 12 hp B&S lawnmower that just takes regular unleaded. The mower is less than 1 year old--probably not 6 hours on the engine. Will using the 2 cyle 40:1 mix hurt the lawnmower engine? (I can put up with a bit of smoke fine)

HaHaHa! You'll get smoke alright.

You'll likely have to clean the spark plug after every use, but, no it won't do anything other than foul up your cylinder.

Of course you don't have to worry about hurting your CAT.

Arn

NO

quote Originally posted by Arns85GT: You'll get smoke alright. You'll likely have to clean the spark plug after every use, but, no it won't do anything other than foul up your cylinder.

Not rocket science obviously, but it would lessen the problem by diluting the mixed gas with more straight gas.

quote Originally posted by Arns85GT: Of course you don't have to worry about hurting your CAT.

No, but Don's COWS might start coughing.

Used it before, no worries at all.

You wont be doing the enviroment any favors.. but better then dumping it into the stream

Heck, the motor could likely use a little extra lube..

Same as with chainsaws, dump a bit extra in just to tick off the tree huggers

I use it in my lawn tractor when I run out and don’t want to run to the gas station, it works fine and keeps the bugs away. Ya you will have to clean the plug after using it but it works fine.

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't http://serve.mysmiley.net/c...rs/character0029.gif
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

I just burn whatever is left over from my snowblower in my car. I figure whatever tiny amount of oil is left in a half-gallon (or usually less) will be lost in the ten gallons of "straight" gas in the car.

I've done it before. I agree that it works fine though cleaning the spark plug is a good idea once you're finished but that's easy anyways.

foul the plug
that is about the worst

run a little [very little] water thru the motor to clear out the carbon build up
or seafoam brand cleaner

YES

I think you have to also light a tree on fire while you do it for it to really work well.

As always pictures are needed.

Brad

My push mower is 4 cycle and my weedeater is 2 cycle (32-1). I use the 2 cycle mixed gas in the mower all the time if I dont have any extra gas at the time. Never had a problem, really dont even smoke that much. Im just lubing the upper cylinder better I havent taken the spark plug out in years and it starts up right away. Like said, it wouldnt hurt to mix some fresh gas in to dilute it a bit. Ive even put mixed gas thats been around more than a few months in my van before I fill it up too. I never like gas more than a few months old. I just call it cheap cylinder top oil.

[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 03-28-2012).]

My shop teacher would always squirt some oil in each tank full of fuel, it will smoke but if you mix it 80:1 it shouldn't be that bad.
With the price of fuel I wouldn't think twice about it, I had some mixed up for my weed eater and used it in the lawn mower when it stopped running.

Wouldn't bother me to use that fuel at all, I'd probably mixed it in with five gallons of fuel to reduce the amount of fouling on the plug(s) but, I wouldn't waste it either.

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Ron
The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
Always remember these words of wisdom.

"The Lord must truly love fools, for he made them in abundance."

I use 32:1 oil/gas mix for my roto tiller. I make up a small amount (2 gallons) and it takes me a couple of years to use it up. It seems to hold up for years..but I also put in some stabil. Not good for 4 cycle engines.

Send it my way and I'll burn it on the highway

I don't see any issues here.

What's wrong with going ahead and running it in the chain saw?

Nothing wrong with running it in the chainsaw, IF, I had a use or need for the chainsaw right now. I don't, and from the looks of things (rain) I won't have until July-August when/if it dries up. IOW, I can't mow my grass with my Stihl, and Stihls do not like old gas now that everything has ethanol in it. It breaks down more quickly than gas of old days did. I've tried old gas in my 2 cycle brush cutter and had to take the carb apart after about 10 minutes of use.
I guess I could use to kill fire ants or run it inmy welding machine--done that before and it ddn't smoke a bit, but that's a different engine.

I've used pre-mix before with no problems, just make sure you dilute it before doing so.