The 5 Best 2 Stroke Oil for Chainsaws [January 2022 Reviews]

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No matter what your saw is going to need oil for it to work properly. So do yourself a favor and buy any the following best 2 stroke oil for chainsaws to ensure a long lasting and smooth operation for all of your cutting needs...

Top 5 2 Stroke Oil for Chainsaws

Toro 38901 2-Cycle Engine Oil
5/5
Echo Power Blend 2 Stroke Oil
5/5
Poulan 40:1 2 Stroke Oil
5/5
Stens 770-261 2 Stroke Oil Mix
5/5
Husqvarna XP 2-Stroke Engine Oil
5/5

3. Toro 38901 2-Cycle Engine Oil

Like other quality chainsaw oils, the Toro 38901 2-Cycle Oil features additives that prevent the build-up of engine deposit, which can destroy the essence of your engine.

By using this, you get to maintain your engine’s power as well as quality.

Fuel stabilizer is added to this formula to further ensure your engine starts faster and keep the engine storage life at excellent levels.

Unlike other 2 stroke oil brands that leave you guessing how to get a true 50:1 gas/oil ratio, the Toro 2-Cycle Oil is simply a 1 gallon/container mixture, so that even a first time user can figure it out without having to search for Youtube videos.

It’s good not only for Toro products but also for other brands like Stihl.

While it costs more than the Stens Oil Mix you will read about soon and other lower-priced oils, it makes up for it in convenience of use.

Another plus is that it helps to preserve gasoline so you don’t have to worry if you don't use up all of your gas in the can for a long time.


2. Echo Power Blend 2 Stroke Oil

The Echo 6450002 PK6 is a bottle of oil that’ll blend with 89-octane gasoline at a 50:1 gas oil ratio. Using this blend not only ensures your chainsaw functions properly, but it also enhances its life span.

The bottle contains 5.2 oz of oil that, when mixed with your gas, makes 2 gallons of oil/gas mix for use with your chain saw.

The oil mix comes with a fuel stabilizer that ensures it’s quality is maintained, which helps to keep your engine in tip-top condition as well as prevent the stress of dealing with a bad oil/gas mix.

Moreover, you can use it to protect your chainsaw engine from rust, wear, corrosion and keep it the fuel burning clean.

It meets/exceeds the ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345/FC standards, which further ensures you get the best performance.

Another advantage of this oil mix is the size, as it keeps you from having to put up with the frequent mix of oil/gas that a smaller sized - 2.7 oz - bottle requires.

Fortunately, it’s affordable, so you get enough that’ll last you a long time.

While it’s made for Echo products, it’ll work well with other brands of chainsaws, as long as it has a two-stroke engine.


3. Poulan 40:1 2 Stroke Oil

The Poulan 952030133 40:1 2 Cycle Oil is one of the few fully synthetic oils that you can choose for your machine.

The value and quality you get with a fully synthetic oil like this will show through on the performance of your engine.

Spending more now will pay later in the form of better operation and functioning of your chainsaw  in the long run.

This oil comes in a 3.2-ounce bottle and is suitable for mixing fuel in your 2-cycle chainsaw.

It helps in minimizing overheating as well as increase the life of your engine by keeping friction low in moving engine parts.

Moreover, it lubricates well and when you mix it properly, produces no smoke. In addition, it helps your chainsaw start faster and better.

Note that this is a synthetic 2 stroke oil for a chainsaw and is more suitable for Poulan Chainsaws.


4. Stens 770-261 2 Stroke Oil Mix

The Stens 770-261 2-Cycle Oil Mix is another 2 stroke engine oil you can try for your chainsaw.

It comes in a 2.6 oz bottle that makes 1 gallon of 50:1 mix for your engine, just like the Echo 6450002 PK6 oil above.

One differentiator of this brand is that it comes in a pack containing 24 bottles of oil.

While it will take you a long time to go through so many bottles, it never hurts to have a surplus on hand.

The oil comes with a fuel stabilizer and is purely refined to minimize carbon build-up – a condition that can prevent the proper amount of fuel from reaching the intake valves.

And with minimum carbon deposits on your valve surfaces, comes better fuel economy and a better running engine.

If you are looking for the best 2 stroke oil for a Stihl chainsaw, you should look at this oil since it’s just as great as any Stihl oil but with a more affordable price tag.

One of the greatest advantages of this 2 cycle chainsaw oil is that it’s made in the USA!

The only downside of this oil is that it’s a synthetic blend and not fully synthetic.


5. Husqvarna XP 2-Stroke Engine Oil

Since we recommend so many different Husqvarna chainsaw models it would be a shame if they didn't offer a quality oil to add to our list.

Fortunately they do with their XP 2 Stroke engine oil that helps lower your chainsaw engine's operating temperature which helps extend its useful life

The oil also preserves the quality of fuel in your engine, thanks to the included fuel stabilizer.

Although it’s a synthetic blend - as opposed to fully synthetic oil -, it is suitable for both professional and home usage.

It’s available in both 6 and 12-Pack and costs just as much as any quality OEM oil.

The Husqvarna XP 2 Stroke Oil meets the JASO-FD certification, which means it can be used on all Husqvarna chainsaws.

The quality of the oil is further enhanced with premium additives and semi-synthetic base oils, giving it the power to provide adequate lubrication, oil neutralization, and exhaust output.

This is important for preventing premature bearing failure in your Husqvarna chainsaw engine.

Another advantage that comes with this oil is that you get to enjoy an extra year of warranty if you use this exclusively in your Husqvarna chainsaw (contact Husqvarna to verifiy).


Chainsaw Oil Buying Guide

Chainsaw oil is essential to keep your chainsaw operating as smoothly as possible. So here's how to pick the best oil for your chainsaw:

Odor and Smoke

Odor and Smole

If your chainsaw oil has a funny burning smell and/or is smoking, there’s definitely something wrong with it.

This often means you have the wrong sort of oil or a bad oil and fuel mix. There are proportions you need to respect, and you can directly check with the oil manufacturer, as each brand has different proportions.

Usually, you use 2% of fuel for 4% of oil but check with your supplier first.

If you get the measurements wrong, then you'll get a bad odor and smoke, which causes the chainsaw's engine to overheat. If it's white smoke, then that could damage the entire mechanism, so be careful.

Viscosity

Summer oils and winter oils have different viscosity types. Summer oils tend to be thicker while winter oils tend to be thinner.

The first ones are designed to be used during warm conditions, as they're thicker and heavier. The winter oils are designed to be used during cold conditions since they're lighter and thinner.

So pick the one that best fits the climate you live in, and the conditions you usually work in.

Type of Oil

It’s important you pick the right type of oil for your chainsaw. There are four main ones, as you can see below.

Synthetic

Synthetic oil is very expensive, but most modern engines run on that. This is the best type of lubricant, since it has a high viscosity and regulates your engine's smoke production.

Semi-synthetic

Semi-synthetic oil is made from mineral oil and other additives such as detergents, stabilizers, octane boosters, and more. This type of oil has good combustion properties.

It has the advantage of improving your engine's cycle, if you use a 2-cycle, as it emits less pollution and because it's clean-burning.

The difference between synthetic and semi-synthetic oils is that they are less expensive than fully synthetic oils. Semi-synthetic oils still work well and give you good lubrication. In fact, they give you even more lubrication than if you were simply using mineral oil.

Castor Oil

You can find either plant-based or food-grade castor oil. This oil comes from pressed castor beans and is as expensive as petroleum-based oils.

It has a high viscosity level and provides great lubrication for your chainsaw. This oil lowers smoke and even pollution.

This lubricant has the disadvantage of producing residue if you use it too often, which can then damage your chainsaw.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is very easy to find and it's pretty cheap too. You can find it from natural sources. However, sometimes it doesn't work as well as the other oil types.

You could also use the synthetic version of mineral oil, if you wanted to, but it's much more expensive.

Liquid Volume

puring oil

Now that you know about the different types of oils you can get for your chainsaw, let's talk about liquid volume.

The amount of oil depends on your chainsaw, but for one tank of fuel, the bar and oil ratio is usually one tank as well. So 50-50 is the general rule of thumb.

Next, you might wonder how long a 2-cycle engine oil lasts in a 2-stroke engine?

This depends on how often a person uses their chainsaw. Oil does go bad.

When it's sealed, a 2-stroke-oil can last up to five years. Once you open it, it lasts up to two years. When you mix it with fuel, it lasts up to two months, so you need to use it quickly.

These are just rough estimates and if you have any doubts you should talk to your oil supplier. Also, if there are any warning signs, you should replace your oil immediately.

These signs include heat, water damage, moisture, sudden changes in temperatures. Don't leave a container open without a lid, otherwise, you will have to toss it as well.

Gas Compatibility

Oil has to be mixed with gasoline. This means it's essential you check the quality of both and make sure they're compatible before you mix them together.

We recommend you don't use gasoline that has more than 10% alcohol, as it will attract more moisture and spoil the mix. If the mixture absorbs more than an ounce of alcohol, it separates and can damage your chainsaw.

As for the oil-to-gas ratios, it can change depending on the brand and the supplier. It also depends on your chainsaw and how old it is.

For any engine built before 2002, the gas-to-oil ratio is 32:1. After that date, the ratio is 40:1. If you don't know how old your machinery is, remember that a 2-stroke engine usually uses a 40:1 ratio, but 50:1 is also common now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Mix Oil and Gas for Your Chainsaw?

Since your chainsaw runs on a mixture of oil and gas, it’s important that you know how to do the right mixture so you can keep your engine working properly.

The importance of this cannot be overemphasized, as it’ll define the difference between a long-lasting engine and another that dies a premature death.

Mixing ratios are typically based on a gallon of unleaded gas and most products will come with a single serving of the right amount of oil/gallon.

The mixture should be done in the gas can, not in the fuel tank of your chainsaw engine.

After mixing them in your can, swirl it around to ensure the oil and gas are mixed together then you can fill up your tank

I would also swirl the gas can around before each fill-up to avoid any settling that may happen.

What is the best mix ratio for 2 stroke oil?

The best mix ratio for 2 stroke oil is 40:1. Some now require 50:1. This can also change depending on how old your machine is, but the norm is 40:1. If your machine is older than 2002, the ratio is 32:1, for example.

Here's how it works. For a 32:1 ratio, mix one liter of gasoline with 31.25ml of oil. For a 40: 1 ratio, mix one liter of gas with 25ml of oil. Finally, for a 40:1 ratio, mix 1 liter of gas with 20ml of oil.

You could also buy premixed fuel for precise ratios, and it also lasts longer than homemade mixed fuel. Commercial mixes have better ingredients. They do cost more, but you get quality.

Can I use any 2 stroke oil in my chainsaw?

You can use any 2 stroke oil in your chainsaw, but that doesn't mean you should. Using generic cheap brands is bad in the long haul. They could damage your engine and even considerably reduce its lifespan.

Only pick high-quality oil and high-quality gasoline, if you decide to mix them.

How often should I change the oil in my chainsaw?

You should change the oil in your chainsaw when it expires. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for this. Usually, you should change it every two years.

However, you should change it immediately if your machine was exposed to drastic temperature changes, extreme heat, moisture, or water damage.

What are the benefits of using a good 2 stroke oil in your chainsaw?

We recommend you only use a good 2 stroke oil in your chainsaw for enhanced performance, an extended lifespan and overall better results.

About THE AUTHOR

Drew - CountrySilo

Drew

Co-Founder CountrySilo

Growing up around the farmlands of the Midwest you learn at an early age getting your hands dirty is a way of life. Whether it was helping my Grandpa make cedar furniture, mowing neighborhood lawns or throwing bails of hay the do-it-yourself mentality runs strong in our family.

I am excited to help you tackle your projects and discover new ways to make your house a home!

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