Question about Wal-Mart Chainsaw Premix Gasoline

[C-Money]

Had a small job to do with the chainsaw this weekend. Didn't wanna fuss with mixing a gallon of gas and only using a small bit of it. So, I bought a can of the pre mix 40/1, non ethanol gasoline at the Wal-Mart. Shook up the gas a bit, took the lid off, and poured some gas in the saw tank. Question is, for a 40/1 mix, the gas came out clear as water. Is that normal? Does the manufacturer have a special lubricant that is color free?

[hunter399]

I never buy premixed,If it's a 1 gal mix = .7 gal of gas and mix,2gal mix=1.5 gal gas.
I like mine a little strong though.And if I have extra gas it gets used in the weedeater.

[KFhunter]

They usually add color to 2-cycle oil so you can tell at a glance that it's mixed as you pour it -blue being a popular color.  I've used 2 cycle oil that did not have added color for racing applications and you can't tell it was mixed when you pour it out. 

For the walmart premix in a can, I suspect they use whatever is cheapest and it wasn't dyed.

[Magnum_Willys]

I never buy premixed,If it's a 1 gal mix = .7 gal of gas and mix,2gal mix=1.5 gal gas.
I like mine a little strong though.And if I have extra gas it gets used in the weedeater.

35:1 vs 50:1    just a lil smokier like the good ol days 

[jay.sharkbait]

With the modern 2 stroke oils there is no reason to mix rich on oil.

I think the canned gas is a great idea and really makes sense for emergency chainsaw use.

Anyone remember using 30 wt motor oil in 2 stroke outboards?

[KFhunter]

With the modern 2 stroke oils there is no reason to mix rich on oil.

I think the canned gas is a great idea and really makes sense for emergency chainsaw use.

Anyone remember using 30 wt motor oil in 2 stroke outboards?

 

Modern cylinder walls with coatings, modern piston coatings and modern oils - no reason to run rich at all, and it actually increases heat

canned gas is cool, store it in the pickup with a cheap saw for hunting/scouting.   Doing firewood or something I'd obviously run pre-mix but for just keeping it on hand it's stabilized for longer term storage and it's clean. 

[Pegasus]

I buy the premix all the time. Some is 40:1, some is 50:1. Either way they are really handy for someone who does not use two cycle fuel very often. I tired of mixing it up, using very little and having to discard the old after a year of sitting  cuz I can't drink it. 40:1 will give you a little less punch and more smoke but it works fine in systems that call for 50:1.

[hunter399]

Everybody has there own flavor of doing things.
I do cut 7 cords of wood each year for the past 15 years,I have one saw that 12 years old ,still runs good.Just the way I was taught I guess.I will say they don't make things like the old days.Here is a pic from this year firewood adventures.

[Magnum_Willys]

Stihl runs their 4-strokes with pre-mix.  Guess they won't lube correctly at odd angles without it. 

[jay.sharkbait]

Stihl runs their 4-strokes with pre-mix.  Guess they won't lube correctly at odd angles without it.

The 4mix engines don't have an oil reservoir and are designed to run on mixed gas.

[hunter399]

Still always say 50/1 mix , you have to remember they sell you the saw they don't mind if you blow up a saw every 5 years.Come on back and buy another.I worked in the woods for some years,our boss bought stilh mix ,always was 5 gal mix=4.5 gal gas and we got this much saw gas daily.Not sure what that ratio was .Smoke keeps the bugs off while your cutting,rich enough for good lube,but not too rich to effect performance,or foul plugs,sweet spot is what you need.

[C-Money]

Soooo.....is it normal for the cans of pre mix gas to appear clear?

[2labs]

I bought a can of "Moto Mix" and it's blue. I have 30 year old Sthil that fires on the first pull

[Knocker of rocks]

Anyone remember using 30 wt motor oil in 2 stroke outboards?

Mixed 16:1!

[Alchase]

I got tired of having 3 or 4 different pre-mix gas cans, I switched over to 4-stroke Honda's for all my power tools except my Husky chain saw.
My saw does not get much use anymore except in deer camp or an occasional down tree.
I use the canned pre-mix gas because of convenience and because I might not use the saw for 8-9 months. In Washington, it is one way to get ethanol free gas as well. Here in OKC most gas stations are ethanol free.