Ran out of Stihl oil

[TBark]

I am up at the cabin enjoying the February temperatures.
Have some chainsawing to do but the only oil I have is TC-W3 snowmobile oil.

Any issues with using this in my chainsaw to get me by the next few days?

A bit of a search on the net says some have done it briefly, some have done nothing but TC–W3 in chainsaws and some say only use the STIHL oil, could be a stihl salesman, ha.

Maybe mix it a bit heavier, like 30-35:1?

TBark

[Homesteader]

40:1 should be lots. I too only use stihl but at 50:1. Back in the day we ran whatever two stroke oil we had. I don’t think it ever hurt the saws. Just go back to the stihl at your earliest convenience

PS I’m not a stihl salesman but my old 025 is amazing

[TimeOff]

Originally Posted by TBark

Mods please delete from fishing forum, my goof.

I am up at the cabin enjoying the February temperatures.
Have some chainsawing to do but the only oil I have is TC-W3 snowmobile oil.

Any issues with using this in my chainsaw to get me by the next few days?

A bit of a search on the net says some have done it briefly, some have done nothing but TC–W3 in chainsaws and some say only use the STIHL oil, could be a stihl salesman, ha.

Maybe mix it a bit heavier, like 30-35:1?

TBark

Stihl oil is just Castrol T2 oil in a Stihl labeled bottle. Any decent quality 2 stroke oil mixed properly works well enough. Biggest issue I have found is most guys don't know how to tune their saw properly which causes too lean or too rich conditions. Thats why a lot of new saws are autotune now. You have to carry screwdriver every time you use your saw, what's tuned in summer at 25c will be running too lean at -15c etc...

[Drewski Canuck]

Stihl Oil is synthetic, but if you are not using it to get the extra year of warranty, then use a good quality Synthetic 2 cycle oil.

TCW3 synthetic will work fine in a 50:1 mix or if you are concerned, 40:1. Just use premium gas.

Drewski

[Dick284]

Stihl has been 50:1 for a long time.

Any good quality 2 stroke oil will get you by till you find more brand name oil.

[Koschenk]

10 years as a professional arborist we only used motorcycle oil.

[3blade]

I’ve got a stihl 026 that’s been fed whatever was on hand at 50:1 for 30+ years. Long as you store it with their premix, you’re fine.

[Penner]

Just make certain it isn’t marine grade 2-stroke oil. Water cooled and air cooled ain’t the same.

[lannie]

Have a dozen Stihl 2 and 4 stroke machines using mixed fuel and have
Used what ever was handy. Never have had a problem with any including their fuel injected equipment.

[mryimmers]

Go for it, its fine, give it an extra glug if it makes you feel better.

[TBark]

Good information, thanks folks.

TBark

[Big Grey Wolf]

I grab the first jug of oil I get my hands on. Pour some in gallon gas jug, and start sawing. If smokes add little more high ethanol gas, if no smoke add a little more 10-30 or what have you oil. One of my Husky 61 chain saws is 20 years old other is around 30 years. Stihl going strong like me.