Running standard dino oil?

Michael Morrone · Joined: 11 Jun 2010 Posts: 43

Has anyone run standard mineral (dino) two-stroke oil in their engine? I come from a PWC and dirt bike background and i run the cheap oil with no problems. How its a kart engine much different aside from the higher operating RPM's? Also, how come everyone seems to run more oil (16:1) in a kart engine vs 32:1-50:1 is what I run in my PWC and dirt bikes. The reason I'm asking these questions is from a cost standpoint. I just purchased a bunch of Amsoil Dominator and it was much more expensive compared to the TWC-3 stuff I run in my other toys.

Michael Morrone · Joined: 11 Jun 2010 Posts: 43

One more thing. Has anyone run 30wt non-detergent oil?

Walt Gifford · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:27 pm Post subject:

I've run 30W motor oil in my kart back in 1968. Smelled great and looked great mixed with gas but, lots of carbon deposits.

I had a Lawson Power Products lawn mower engine on my kart. My dad got them for free from the trash at work And I fixed them up then blew the rod out of them. I must have gone through 8 of those poor things with that crappy oil.

When I switched to McCulloch I used McCulloch oil which was state of the art at the time and never blew another engine.

Now a days I use Red Line Kart oil mixed 16:1. Don't use mineral oil. Kart engines are high performance compared to bikes so they need better lube.

If racing oil is taxing your budget, I've got some bad news about track fees.

Gif Cool

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John Mulvihill · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 5:39 pm Post subject:

Hi,

To be competitive you have to push the engine to the edge. You lean it down to produce max power.

Dino oil doesn't cut it. It may be why they are extinct (just joking- please no science lessons).

Film strength and heat transfer characteristics of synthetic and especially castor oil walk all over Barney Juice. And, castor oil is better for constipation issues.........

What more could you want?

John
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Chris Hurst · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject:

Walt Gifford · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:24 pm Post subject:

Jim McMahon · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:24 pm Post subject:

I don't think many have run dino oil in a two stroke race motor in recent times. Castor, yes. Dino, no. There is a big difference.

Kart engines typically rev higher, build more heat, produce more power per unit displacement are at 100% load for much longer than a typical motorcycle motor in a dirt bike application. Thats why they usually run more oil in their mix. They get a beating. The air-cooled ones especially its wise to use a castor base oil rather than synth as the deposits lefts by the burnt castor oil add some lubricity at extreme temps.

"lean" ratio opinion varies, using the word lean can get you into trouble of course because as you add oil you effectively lean your jetting.
Aircooled 2 strokes running single gear can be anywhere from 10:1 to 18:1. 16:1 is the typical ratio.
Anything from 16:1 - 24:1 will be see with water-cooled.
Depends on the specific motor, class, state of tune and motor tuner's preference.
Some run 50:1 with with their Rotax Max's but I believe most run around 24:1.
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