Dan Hartung wrote:
Yes, a follow up to my leaf blower question. I'd rather move on and
learn from this. I *do* know that 2-cycles require a proper mix of oil
in the fuel, and I *did* read the manual, but I managed to screw it up
for a variety of reasons.

Given that I'm not the only person with a busy life and crazy-ass
distractions, how do YOU try to make sure that you get the right oil
mixture in your yard tools?

US measurements are just the first of many ridiculous parts of the
equation here (sorry, traditionalists). You get a 32-ounce gallon (or
64-ounce two-gallon) container and some other container for the oil
and directions to put (say) 6.4oz (out of 8oz in the container!) in
the gas -- but who has a fluid measure with tenths marks? Not to
mention that the containers themselves are opaque (the cans, at
least, by federal law) and unmarked with fill lines or any such. (One
can ensure an even two gallons via the gas pump, but that supposes a
100% empty container to start with.) Eyeballing it, which is what I
have always done (without seizing engines in the process, either),
just seems risky now.

[In any case, I don't think it was a poor mix on my part, but use of
the wrong container in a rush.]

So, you have to have some gas sitting around for various purposes. You
don't want to run to the Shell every time you need to touch up the
driveway or whatnot. You may need to have different mixes for
different engines (no oil for the 4-cycle mower, 40:1 for the leaf
blower, 50:1 for the chain saw, etc.). The containers aren't well
designed for this task. The measuring system is ridiculous. Math is
involved. Yet a mistake seems like it can kill an engine.

Do you mix each one in advance, or add the oil on fueling? What do you
measure with? Do you label and separate the containers? (What do you
do if you label something 40:1 and then forget to mix it once?) What
do you do with leftovers (mixing fresh gasoline with mixed, or the
last 1.6oz of oil)? Is there a visible color change you can get used
to in seeing the fuel (and legal transparent containers to keep it
in)? Has some smartypants invented a device which does the mixing for
you, and is available if you call 1-800-GAS-MSTR in the next fifteen
minutes (but wait, there's more)? Surely somebody has put their
brains to this problem before.

I found one google result for "pre-measured 2-cycle oil" -- the Mantis
products offer a kit with six just-the-right-amount containers. Surely
there's more?

Well, my method works for me. I have two containers. One for straight
gas (mower) and one for 2 cycle. I buy my gas in the first container. At
the beginning of the season I measure out a quantity from the first
container to the second and add oil. I use metric measuring since it is
easier to figure ratios. You may have to buy it in gallons, but there is no
requirement about how you measure it.

If needed during the year I do it again. At the end of the season
whatever is left in the two cycle container goes into my girlfriend's car (I
have a diesel) along with the contents of the other container.

It works for me.

BTW, the ratio for mixing need not be dead on. You should aim for
close, but exact is not required. If in doubt go for a little extra oil.
If too much it will smoke and you can add a little more gas.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math