Fuel & Oil for 4 Stroke Lawnmower & Line Trimmer

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  nocure on 17/09/2017 - 14:37

  +3

  Your nearest servo….

• 

  colinjames on 17/09/2017 - 14:47

  +1

  ULP stands for Unleaded Petrol

  • 

    PJC on 17/09/2017 - 14:48

    Yes OP, you are looking for oils.

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  PJC on 17/09/2017 - 14:47

  ALDI (they occasionally stock some) Big W and Mitre 10. In my experience all 3 have been cheaper than Bunnings.

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  altomic on 17/09/2017 - 15:04

  +3

  servo for fuel.
  SCA for oil

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  Presence on 17/09/2017 - 16:11

  4 Stroke 95 ULP
  2 Stroke 95 ULP

  There's no such thing as 2 stroke ulp. The stuff that comes out your local servo is all 4 stroke. Add oil and it's suitable for 2 stroke.

  • 

    Givemethemoney on 17/09/2017 - 16:20

    This is my first lawnmower & line trimmer so I'm going by what other suggest

    • 

      altomic on 17/09/2017 - 17:36

      +2

      fuel - servo
      oil -SCA,repco, etc
      2 stroke fuel mix - SCA,repco, etc

      you need 2-stroke fuel mix. usually 1 part mix to 20 parts fuel.

      • 

        Euphemistic on 18/09/2017 - 14:08

        you can buy 2 stroke fuel mix, but it is cheaper to make it yourself to the ratio specified for your engine. could be 20:1, 50:1, 25:1.

• 

  Nugs on 17/09/2017 - 19:34

  4 Stroke 95 ULP - unleaded 'premium' petrol (same as 'some' cars). 95 is the octane rating.

  2 Stroke 95 ULP - same petrol as above mixed with 'special' oil - I use Stihl as bought from tool shop, has a measuring reservoir to make it easy (it's 50:1, so it goes far, pretty sure the 1 litre bottle will last a long time). you will need a separate fuel can to do the mixing in (recommend different colour from your 4 stroke can and/or big label)
  http://www.stihl.com.au/fuel-mix.aspx

  SAE 10W/30 Engine Oil - I use Penrite Small Engine 4 Stroke Engine Oil

• 

  guidedlight on 17/09/2017 - 20:12

  The cost of the fuel can and mixing bottle is probably more than your fuel and oil purchase.
  I would also grab a fuel stabiliser too. It will stop your fuel from going stale if you aren't going to use it all within a few months. Bunnings sells little 15ml sachets for $4 each (treats 4 litres of fuel).

  At the end of the day, the cost of fuel + oil is tiny in small engines.

  —
  You will need:
  * 2-stroke oil
  * 4-stroke oil
  * Fuel can
  * Mixing bottle
  * (Optional) Fuel stabiliser (if you plan to store fuel for longer than 4-6 months)
  * (Optional) funnel to assist pouring

  • 

    qwerty on 17/09/2017 - 21:15

    id go with 2 fuel cans so he can mix one with 2 stroke and leave 1 with regular fuel

    • 

      altomic on 17/09/2017 - 22:15

      wine bottle for 2 stroke mix.

    • 

      smux on 18/09/2017 - 11:42

      Whether a second fuel can is required would depend on how quickly the OP might go through the 2 stroke mix. I only whipper snipper occasionally, so I just mix enough to put straight into the whipper snipper. Otherwise you could use the mixing bottle for temporary storage.

• 

  theguru1 on 18/09/2017 - 07:22

  Nearly all small engines use standard 91 ULP, unless specifically advised otherwise. Haven't seen one though.

  I use semi/full synthetic oil. Most 4 stroke engines use 600ml so a small quantity of oil takes a fair bit of punishment. Synthetic also for the 2 stroke. Small volumes so it isn't going to cost an arm and a leg.

  If you are not going to use the motor for a while either tip out the fuel or run till dry as old fuel will cause you grief. Either hard starting or will gum up the carby.

  4 strokes. With such a small oil capacity it is wise to check the oil each time you use it and keep it topped up. Not only does the oil lubricate but it is also part of the cooling for the motor, so you don't want low oil. Change the oil every 6 months or so depending on use.

  2 strokes really hate old fuel. Mix up a fresh batch each time. Mix volumes to the job.

  Remember to check, clean and replace air filters. Do not ever run without a filter.

  • 

    Densor on 18/09/2017 - 09:35

    You are wise to use the 95 or better. You'll notice most petrol bowsers have a sign on the E10 saying it isn't suitable for use in small motors, planes and boat engines. This is due to the Ethanol attracting/absorbing moisture which is something you really want to avoid in small motors that only get used every few weeks.

    I use one container of petrol for all my equipment so that I don't have too much petrol hanging around for too long. I mix up the 2 stroke in a small amount when I need it. 2 cups (500ml) of petrol and 20ml of 2 stroke oil in an empty ice cream container = 25:1. I fill up the trimmer and normally have some left over which I put in after I've finished.

    My old Stihl line trimmer is over 15 yrs old and is only just starting to show it's old age. It always starts on the 4th pull and seems to run better on the old petrol.

    I hope that Showmethemoney realises there is a difference between 4 stroke oil and 2 stroke oil !

  • 

    guidedlight on 23/09/2017 - 21:40

    Old fuel is fine if you use a stabiliser with it.. I have a 20 litre fuel container that I tend to refill every couple of years. Adding a stabiliser helps to keep the fuel fresh, and stops gum deposits from forming.

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  theguru1 on 18/09/2017 - 11:55

  There is no advantage to using 95 Octane fuel in a small engine apart from convenience if you use it in the vehicle as well. The engine will not perform better as they need to be tuned specifically for it to make a difference.
  Only use Ethanol fuel if the engine is rated to use it. Older engines are not and it will dissolve parts of the fuel system. Best to not use it at all.

• 

  Euphemistic on 18/09/2017 - 14:05

  Should have got a battery or electric one.

  • 

    theguru1 on 18/09/2017 - 14:33

    If you have a small yard definitely a good idea.

    • 

      Euphemistic on 18/09/2017 - 15:37

      I have about 250m of edging and about 350m² of lawn. If things aren't out of control (long grass) then battery is enough to do that in one session. Line trimmer 18v 4ah battery with enough to do some hedges and blowing and a 36v 5ah battery for the mower. the 2.6ah battery does about 3/4 of the mow if it is nice and short.

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  TALLBALLER on 04/10/2017 - 18:49

  go support your local garden and mower shop will cost a little more then aldi BUT THEY WILL ANSWER AND EXPLAIN ALL YOUR QUESTIONS.
  also when it needs servicing after your fuel goes stale they will support you instead of charging like wounded bulls for a crappy bunnings or aldi tool that parts arre likely hard /expensive to get in one off quantities vs the ones they sell and buy cartons of spares for

  • 

    TALLBALLER on 04/10/2017 - 18:50

    ps affiliation as a chainsaw hobbiest/collector and garden business operator