Two-stroke oil

An example of two-stroke oil bottle with measurement cap. Oil is dyed blue to make it easier to recognize it in the gasoline. Because it's not diluted, it appears black in this bottle.

Two-stroke oil (also referred to as two-cycle oil, 2-cycle oil, 2T oil, or 2-stroke oil) is a special type of motor oil intended for use in crankcase compression two-stroke engines (typical of small gasoline-powered engines).

Unlike a four-stroke engine, whose crankcase is closed except for its ventilation system, a two-stroke engine uses the crankcase as part of the induction tract, and therefore, oil must be mixed with gasoline to be distributed throughout the engine for lubrication.^[1] The resultant mix is referred to as premix or petroil.^[2] This oil is ultimately burned along with the fuel as a total-loss oiling system. This results in increased exhaust emissions, sometimes with excess smoke and/or a distinctive odor.

The oil-base stock can be petroleum, castor oil, semi-synthetic or synthetic oil and is mixed (or metered by injection) with petrol/gasoline at a volumetric fuel-to-oil ratio ranging from 16:1 to as low as 100:1. To avoid the high emissions and oily deposits on spark plugs, modern two-strokes, especially for small engines such as garden equipment and chainsaws, may now demand a synthetic oil and can suffer from oiling problems otherwise.

Engine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) introduced pre-injection systems (sometimes known as "auto-lube") to engines to operate from a 32:1 to 100:1 ratio. Oils must meet or exceed the following typical specifications: TC-W3® (NMMA), API-TC, JASO FC, ISO-L-EGC.^{[citation needed]}

Comparing regular lubricating oil with two-stroke oil, the relevant difference is that two-stroke oil must have a much lower ash content. This is required to minimize deposits that tend to form if ash is present in the oil which is burned in the engine's combustion chamber. Additionally a non-2T-specific oil can turn to gum in a matter of days if mixed with gasoline and not immediately consumed. Another important factor is that four-stroke engines have a different requirement for 'stickiness' than two-strokes do.

Since the 1980s different types of two-stroke oil have been developed for specialized uses such as outboard motor two-strokes, premix two-stroke oil, as well as the more standard auto lube (motorcycle) two-stroke oil. As a rule of thumb, most containers of oil commercially offered will have somewhere on the label printed that it is compatible with 'Autolube' or injector pumps. Oils in these tend to have the consistency of liquid dish soap if shaken. A more viscous oil cannot reliably be passed through an injection system, although a premix machine can be run on either type.

"Racing" oil or castor-based does offer excellent lubricity - at the expense of premature coking. For the average moped/scooter/trail rider it will not garner an appreciable increase in performance and will require very frequent teardowns.

Additive ingredients[]

Additives for two-stroke oils fall into several general categories: Detergent/Dispersants, Antiwear agents, Biodegradability components and antioxidants (Zinc compounds).^[3] Some of the higher quality include a fuel stabilizer as well.

Standards[]

The current international standard (ISO 13738) for two-stroke gasoline engine oil evolved from JASO M345, which were grades intended to exceed API-TC. Grades include:^[4]

JASO FA is abandoned. It is not put in ISO.
JASO FB evolved into ISO L-EGB, with additional test for piston cleanliness.
JASO FC evolved into ISO L-EGC, with additional test for piston cleanliness.
JASO FD evolved into ISO L-EGD, with additional test for piston cleanliness and detergent effect.

The (NMMA) of USA maintains its own TC-W line of standards.

References[]

^ Nunney, Malcom J. (2007). Light and Heavy Vehicle Technology (4th ed.). Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-7506-8037-0.
^ Smith, Philip H. (1965). The High-Speed Two-Stroke Petrol Engine. London: Foulis. pp. 236–237. ISBN 085429-049-4.
^ Verret, Robert. "The Late Great Oil Debate". SEA-DOO.net. Archived from the original on 2014-12-20.
^ https://www.oilspecifications.org/iso_2t.php

External links[]

Brain, Marshall. How Two-stroke Engines Work at HowStuffWorks

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[1] Nunney, Malcom J. (2007). Light and Heavy Vehicle Technology (4th ed.). Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-7506-8037-0.

[2] Smith, Philip H. (1965). The High-Speed Two-Stroke Petrol Engine. London: Foulis. pp. 236–237. ISBN 085429-049-4.

[3] Verret, Robert. "The Late Great Oil Debate". SEA-DOO.net. Archived from the original on 2014-12-20.

[4] ttps://www.oilspecifications.org/iso_2t.php

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