Currently, gas-powered tools, motor boats, scooters and motorcycles are not a luxury. This is a common technique that everyone has. One of the distinctive features of such equipment is a two-stroke gasoline engine.
Unlike four-stroke internal combustion engines, where the lubrication system is provided separately, two-stroke engines are refueled by mixing gasoline with oil. What is important here is compliance with proportions and a ban on refueling with clean fuel without adding oil. Otherwise, the service life of the engine will be reduced, which will result in frequent breakdowns and short-term failure.
Chainsaw care - engine, chain, bar
Before moving on to the topic of chainsaw care, it’s worth talking a little about safety of use. The FUBAG FPS 56 chosen as an example is equipped with a chain brake, which prevents the chain from rotating in the event of a kickback. Before starting work, you should always check that the chain brake is working properly.
How to do it? We start the saw at full speed for a couple of seconds and press the safety lever. The chain should stop immediately. If this does not happen, you need to contact the service.
The serviceability of the chain brake can be easily checked even with the engine turned off. It is enough to hit the end of the tire on a hard surface, the protection lever should automatically swing back. Do you remember? Let's move on.
Proper operation guarantees proper operation of the tool for many years. After each working session, it is advisable to clean all elements to get rid of accumulated dust.
Let's start with the engine
Engine maintenance includes blowing the cylinder cooling fins, checking the spark plug, oil, fuel and air filters.
To clean the cylinder fins, remove the air filter and cylinder cover. When reinstalling the cylinder cover, check the correct position of the switch wires and the sealing ring.
To clean the fuel and oil filters, you need to remove them and wash them with chainsaw gasoline, or replace them with a new filter.
It doesn't hurt to check the spark plug periodically. In case of contamination, clean the electrodes with a wire brush and restore the gap to 0.65 mm.
To check the air filter, take it out and remove dust from the surface. If it is very clogged, it is better to wash it in gasoline.
If you clean with compressed air, you should direct the jet to the inner surface.
Chainsaw chain care
During operation, the chain stretches and is poorly fixed on the saw teeth. If the chain nuts are too loose on the saw teeth, then you need to tighten the chain and then tighten the blade itself. When the chain is worn out, it needs to be replaced, but first you can try sharpening it.
It’s easy to find out about link wear:
- Sawdust takes on a powdery form
- Requires more effort to work
- The saw vibrates a lot
- Increased fuel consumption
To sharpen the chain you will need a file (Fubag already comes with one). Having prepared the tool, you can get down to business:
1.
Lock the chain in place
2.
Take a round file of the appropriate size
3.
Place the file on the cutter and begin sharpening, keeping it straight
4.
After sharpening each cutter, measure the depth and grind to the desired size.
5.
To minimize the likelihood of kickback and breakage of the connecting link, round the leading edge.
Refueling equipment
The prepared mixture is poured into the gas tank using a funnel or a special hose attachment on a canister. After using the equipment, it is recommended to drain the remaining fuel back or use it completely. If the tool is not used for a long time, the oil will gradually settle and the next time you start it, the required lubricant and fuel consistency will not be obtained, which can harm the engine.
The finished mixture is stored in a tightly closed container for no more than two weeks. After this period, the quality of the fuel decreases, and refueling the engine can no longer be 100% risk-free.
Preparing fuel for two-stroke engines is not a complicated procedure. It is important to consider the ratio of oil and gasoline for two-stroke engines, use high-quality fuel, and follow mixing techniques. A minimum of basic requirements is the key to long-term engine operation without breakdowns.
Consequences of incorrect dosage
Many chainsaw users don't pay enough attention to proportions. 50 grams more or less - does it matter? But in vain: often the cause of saw malfunctions is operation with an incorrectly prepared fuel mixture. Moreover, you can make a mistake or intentionally violate the ratio either up or down.
If there is a lot of oil...
There is an opinion among chainsaw owners that “you can’t ruin an engine with oil.” But it’s not for nothing that they come up with the necessary parameters for the finished mixture. Excess oil can also be harmful and cause inconvenience. Indeed, despite the improved combustion characteristics without residue, some hydrocarbons still turn into soot and carbon deposits. At low concentrations there are few of them, but if you enrich the mixture with oil twice as much as the norm, then coking will result. This is especially dangerous for cheap mineral oils that do not have a “washing” effect.
It is also highly likely that you will find oil in the air filter when the carburetor is overfilled. The candle will also be sooted - it will need to be cleaned, rinsed and dried. Also, vapors from unburned oil will settle in the muffler, and during intensive operation they will burn out, forming a trail of soot and sparks.
After such refueling, almost all the insides of the saw will have to be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed. The funniest “surprise” will be the “dying” of the piston rings - but this is only in the case of systematic abuse of oil overflow and work under heavy load.
...or little
“Greed” when preparing the fuel mixture has ruined more than one piston.
This is where it really is better to be “overcautious” than to be “underdressed.” After all, if in the first case you are faced with a thorough “washing” of the unit, then in the second you will have to change the CPG, and this is generally unprofitable on many saws, but for others it costs quite a lot of money. Conclusion: saving is pointless. If there is not enough oil, the piston begins to rub strongly against the cylinder, since at high temperatures gasoline is too fluid to act as a lubricant.
Sad result: scuff marks on the piston, ruined saw engine. If the owner comes to his senses in time, he will find that the piston and cylinder are cast in a beautiful blue. No master can give a guarantee how long these will last.
What happens if you don't follow the manufacturer's recommendations?
If the rules for preparing fuel and lubricant mixtures are violated and the proportions are not observed when adding oil to gasoline with the Shtil 180 chainsaw, the following problems arise:
- With increasing friction, the wear of the working surfaces of parts will increase.
- Due to insufficient lubricant, the bearings will begin to fail.
- The full functioning of mechanical components is disrupted due to premature wear of parts, and their service life is significantly reduced.
- When using low-grade gasoline and oils, the performance of the unit decreases with subsequent breakdown of important components and parts.
The fuel is prepared before refueling the saw, avoiding unnecessary contact with oxygen. After finishing the work, the remaining mixture must be drained.
Why should you mix gasoline and oil?
When parts are mated, they are lubricated, because the mixture consists not only of a combustible part, but also of a lubricating component. This is why the use of pure fuel is not recommended. The engine will work, but if there is no lubrication, the piston system will quickly fail and fail.
Thus, mixing gasoline with oil for two-stroke engines is extremely necessary for reasons:
- increasing the operating life of the internal combustion engine;
- eliminating the formation of scuffing of piston group elements;
- preventing mechanisms and engine parts from jamming when overheated;
- ensuring effective lubrication of rubbing parts;
- prevent all kinds of breakdowns during operation.
What do you need to know?
Choosing the right ratio for fuel mass is not a simple task. It is necessary to calculate the mixing proportions in accordance with the established norm. Sometimes drivers add ingredients at their own discretion. At the same time, disciplined vehicle owners who are concerned about the engine know that the recommended ratio is 1 to 50. How much oil is this? You will find the answer to this question below.
To mix ingredients you need to follow simple rules. To dilute gasoline with oil 1 to 50, it is recommended to use A-92 fuel. A-80 is often used, explaining this effect by the presence of a large number of additives in its composition. This is fundamentally wrong.
Oil from almost any production is suitable for mixing with fuel. The main thing is that it belongs to the auto group, and is not intended for tractors or motor boats. This oil should not be used. Otherwise, it will clearly shorten the life of the engine.
This is interesting: How much oil is needed for a two-stroke engine
API classification of oil for 2-stroke engines
API stands for American Petroleum Institute. This organization develops standards for the oil and gas industry.
The Institute breaks down 2t motor oil into 4 types:
- TA is used in engines up to 50 cc. Used in lawn mowers, trimmers, etc.
- TB - for engines with a volume of 50 to 200 cubic centimeters. Used in devices that create a large load: motorcycles, chainsaws.
- TC - similar to TB, but used for high product requirements. The mixture is characterized by a high fuel to oil ratio. Used in motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc.
- TD are designed for outboard boat engines. Complies with NMMA TC-W standards.
The types presented cannot replace each other, with the exception of TC. The third category can be used in engines designed for TA or TB.
For more information about two-stroke oil standards according to API, NMMA, JASO and ISO, see the following video:
Preparing the mixture
The fuel mass ratio must be accurate and calculated according to the manufacturer's recommendations. It is not recommended to dilute by eye, because an insufficient amount of oil in the mixture and an excess of it will cause engine damage. To mix, you need to select the type of fuel, the brand of lubricant and how much oil you want to pour into the gasoline.
Gasoline selection
To prepare the fuel mixture, unleaded gasoline of grades not lower than AI-90 is used. Previously, AI-80 was used for this, which was cheaper than others, but over time this type of gasoline left the fuel market. The best option was AI-92. Do not use fuel that is not recommended by the manufacturer for a specific engine. This will quickly disable it.
When refueling and storing gasoline, a number of recommendations must be taken into account. You cannot pour gasoline into plastic containers because:
- This can cause a fire, because plastic is a material that can generate static electricity when rubbed.
- On contact, gasoline breaks down plastic. Its microparticles get into the fuel, which leads to the preparation of a poor-quality mixture for a two-stroke engine.
Choosing oil for two-stroke internal combustion engines
For a two-stroke engine, you must purchase branded oils of the API-TB or API-TC class. The instructions for equipment or gas-powered tools will necessarily indicate the recommended brand of oil, which is also divided by viscosity and characteristics:
- mineral - for warm weather;
- semi-synthetic – mineral oils with improved qualities for all-season weather;
- synthetic - used in more severe times at low temperatures.
When purchasing oil, you must be guided by how much mixture is needed for the equipment. If you plan to use a lawn mower, then 1-2 liters is enough for the season. If it is a scooter or boat motor, then the quantity will be required much more. Based on the instructions, you can make the correct fuel calculation in advance.
Proportions of gasoline and oil
There is no clear answer to the question of how much oil is needed per liter of gasoline. Each gasoline two-stroke engine has its own proportion, taking into account power and period of use. The operating instructions indicate the indicators, and the ratio during the break-in period and subsequent operation differs.
For example, for garden equipment - mowers (trimmers), chainsaws, the proportionality of constant operation is 1:50, break-in is 1:40. The proportion of oil and gasoline for a boat motor is also individual: 1:25 – break-in, 1:40 – short period of operation, 1:50 – long-term operation. For walk-behind tractors and cultivators, more oil is needed: 1:20 – break-in, 1:30 – constant operation. Motorcycles and scooters will require even more oil. Here the proportions during break-in will be 1:15, and in the future a fuel mixture of 1:20 will be required.
The position that the more oil, the better or the principle “it can’t get worse” is not relevant. An increased concentration will cause increased engine wear because a layer of soot will form. Proportion must be accurate. For convenience, a fuel mixing table for two-stroke engines is used. It contains indicators that allow you to determine the need for gasoline and oil to prepare a certain amount of fuel, taking into account the required proportion.
Mixing oil with gasoline
All work with fuels and lubricants must be carried out in compliance with safety measures, namely:
- using gloves to prevent oil and gasoline particles from coming into contact with the skin;
- mixing is carried out outdoors to prevent the accumulation of gasoline vapors;
- It is prohibited to work near open fire, heating devices or smoking.
In addition to safety precautions, you should be careful when handling measuring containers and funnels. Everything must be clean. It is necessary to exclude any ingress of dust, debris, or water into the finished fuel mixture. Otherwise, such refueling will at least lead to clogging of the carburetor and other fuel supply elements.
A measuring cup is used for mixing. This can be a separate container with a measure or a special compartment on a bottle of oil. In any case, the amount of oil and gasoline is first prepared taking into account the required proportions. Next, the oil is poured into gasoline and mixed. The liquid should take on a uniform shade depending on what color the lubricant was - blue, red, green. The fuel mixture for a two-stroke internal combustion engine is ready.
You cannot mix components directly in the equipment’s gas tank. Cooking is carried out only in a separate container.
