2 stroke oil discussion

[Lou C]

This is in response to the closed thread about 2 stroke oils; just what I learned doing a bit of research& talking to a Toro (2 stroke snow blower) factory rep.


I have 3 Echo machines & 1 Husqvarna they all get 2 stroke for air cooled engines (Echo Power Blend) the one exception is the Toro 2 stroke snowblower that had the Suzuki 5 hp 2 stroke; Toro recommended that you use TCW3 oil in these because they run a lot slower (governed to 3600 rpm) and are used in cold weather. I actually called Toro tech support & asked about this & they said that the ashless oil results in less deposits on ports & rings vs the oil for air cooled 2 strokes that has ash in it. In high revving air cooled applications that ash gets swept out & therefore does not cause deposit build up. Can you run a Toro 2 stroke snowblower or Toro or Lawn Boy mower on the oil for air cooled 2 strokes instead of the TCW3 that they recommended? Yes you can but it may cause more deposit build up on the ports & rings.

So by extension if you use the 2 stroke oil for air cooled engines in outboards that might be the result; increased deposits.
And if you use TCW3 in high revving air cooled 2 strokes you might get less engine life than otherwise….