Mixing Fuel For 2 Stroke Engines

Mixing Fuel For 2 Stroke Engines – A Complete Guide

Correctly mixing the fuels for your dirt bike can be a daunting task, especially if you do not have much experience with it, but if you do not mix them properly, then you might damage your engine. The best thing would be to mix according to the ratio that has been suggested by the manufacturer. After all, they know the best about the engine and the bike.

But if you want to figure it all out by yourself and learn to mix the fuels and understand the correct ratio, then follow this detailed guide till the end to all about it.

Calculating The Amount Of Fuel

The first step that you will have to go through is to calculate the amount of fuel. If you are not that good with numbers, this can be a little tricky for you but don’t worry, we will break it down into simple steps.

To make this easier for you, we have provided a chart for you below. This chart has the calculated amounts of gasoline and oil that you will need along with respective mixing ratios.

US (Standard)

Mixing Ratio (Gas:Oil) Volume of Gasoline Volume of 2-Stroke Oil
16:1 1 US gal. (128 oz) 8 oz.
20:1 1 US gal. (128 oz) 6.4 oz.
32:1 1 US gal. (128 oz) 4 oz.
40:1 1 US gal. (128 oz) 3.2 oz.
50:1 1 US gal. (128 oz) 2.6 oz.
100:1 1 US gal. (128 oz) 1.3 oz.

International (Metric)

16:1 1 liter 62.5 ml
20:1 1 liter 50 ml
32:1 1 liter 31.25 ml
40:1 1 liter 25 ml
50:1 1 liter 20 ml
100:1 1 liter 10 ml

It is possible that most of the time, you will not have an even gallon of gasoline. In this case, you will have to do a little maths.

STEP 1-  First of all, you will have to write down the amount of gasoline you have.

STEP 2- Next, you will have to multiply the volume of 2 cycle oil by the gallons you have.

Let’s take an example here-

If you have 2.5 gallons of gas that you want to convert into 2 stroke fuel for your dirt bike that takes a 32:1 gas to oil ratio, then you will have to first go to the chart and find out the amount of oil needed for 1 gallon of oil, it is 4 oz, then multiply it by 2.5

That is, 2.5 gallons x 4= 10 oz

Let’s take another example,

If you have 3.5 gallons of gas that you want to convert into 2 stroke fuel for your dirt bike that takes 32:1 gas to oil ratio, then you will have to first go to the chart and find out the amount of oil needed for 1 gallon of oil, it is 4 oz, then multiply it by 3.5

That is, 3.5 gallons x 4= 14 oz

The Mixing Procedure

Now that you know about the calculation of the amounts of oil and gasoline let’s get to the mixing part.

There are two things that will help you in the procedure

  • Measuring cup for the oil
  • A portable fuel container, also known as gas cans

The steps to mix the oil

  • Get a clean gas can, also known as the portable fuel container, to hold the oil
  • Next, label the oil container
  • Now, calculate the amount of gasoline and oil that you will need following the above chart and formula
  • Then measure the oil amount using an oil measuring cup
  • Next, pour the oil into the gasoline
  • Once you have added the oil, check if the two have mixed properly. If not, then shake the container until the oil and the gasoline gets mixed.

Storing the mixed fuel

Two-stroke engines aren’t something that you will not need every day. So it’s very important that you store the mixture properly to ensure maximum shelf life.

Most people prepare the mixture according to their present need so that they don’t have to go through the hassle of storing it, but in case you have some extra fuel left, why waste it, right? 

So let’s talk about the steps and ways in which you can store the fuel for maximum time.

Where should you store it?

The first thing that you have to know when storing fuel is the best place to store it. The best temperature to store gasoline is 55 Fahrenheit or 13 degrees Celsius. Now both of these temperatures are not generally available, especially in your garden or garage. The ideal place would be your basement.

However, if you do not have a basement, this is what you can do. Try to store it in a shady place or somewhere inside your house. Remember, the worst place to store the fuel is in your garage. 

Most people make the mistake of storing the fuel in their garage or a walk-in shade, but the temperature at those places is way higher than what your fuel needs. In fact, they are hotter than your rooms as well. 

So try to store it in a cool place. It might not be the best spot with the accurate temperature required for your fuel, but you can go with the best option available to you.

Just make sure you use it up before it gets too old to ensure the best performance by your engine. The best option would be to make as much as you need for the day so that you don’t have to go through the hassle of storing it.

Using A Fuel Stabilizer

As we talked earlier about storing the fuel, you might have guessed that most people will have an issue in finding the right place to store the fuel. In a situation like that, you will need a fuel stabilizer.

Fuel stabilizers make sure that your fuel doesn’t go bad and the quality remains intact when it is sitting for a long time in the storage or in your bike. Old gasoline is ineffective and doesn’t burn efficiently enough to run your bike fuel stabilizers solves all these issues and prolongs the life of your fuel.

 Labeling your gas can

Most of the riders ignore this step and feel it is not significant, but it is very important to label your gas can because if someone else in the future borrows your gas can or even when you will use it in the future, it won’t be possible for you to remember the details of the fuel. That’s when this labeling will come in handy.

Your gas can should have these three things labeled-

  • The date
  • The additives, if any
  • The fuel ratio

Here is an example

  • 14th August 2020
  • Fuel stabilizer added
  • 32:1

In case you forget to label your fuel, it can get difficult for you to use it in the future. You will have no idea about the fuel ratio, without which you cannot add more gasoline. So make sure to label your gas can after you fuel up.

Frequently asked questions

So this was all about the steps that you will need to follow in order to prepare, used, and store the fuel. Apart from this, we understand you might have a few other common questions, so go through these frequently asked questions to clarify your doubts.

How long does a fuel mixed with fuel stabilizers last

Fuel stabilizer manufacturers might claim that it can last up to 2-2.5 years, but that’s the best-case scenario. Generally, we would say that the fuel would last up to a year.

How do I know if I have put too much oil?

Knowing whether you have put too much oil is quite easy. When your engine has a larger ratio of oil, your bike will produce a lot of smoke, and your bike will not run very well. Oil only acts as a lubricant and does not provide much power to your bike.

In case you are worried about the excess oil quantity, it’s better to drain the fuel to ensure the safety of your bike and yourself.

How do I know if I am using too little oil?

Unlike the previous case, this is actually a serious issue. When riding your bike, if you see that your engine has suddenly started to overheat, then that is an indication of less oil in your engine. The oil acts as the lubricant that ensures smooth movement of all the parts, and less oil means that the parts of your engine are causing friction.

The result of this can be pretty hazardous, so make sure your fuel has sufficient oil. 

What do I do if I have put it in the wrong ratio?

The best thing that you can do in a situation like this is to drain your engine and start again. But if you don’t want all the furl and your efforts to go down the drain, there is another option.

You can try and fix the wrong ratio by adding more gasoline or oil, but the most important thing here is to know whether you have too much oil or too little.

Which is better- Oil injection or Premix?

The debate over this question has been raging on for years among bikers, but sadly, there is no definite answer to this.

Premix is basically what we have discussed in this article, mixing up oil and gasoline and putting it directly into the tank, whereas oil injection requires a separate system that injects the oil into the engine.

The answer to this depends entirely on individual experiences and preferences. Honestly, I prefer Premix to oil injection because I find it way easier, and I do not have to worry about another part failing. In the case of oil injection, there are chances that your injection system can clog due to the cold weather.

So, for this one, I recommend you rely on your own experience and choose what’s best for you.

What is the difference between running rich and lean in two-stroke?

In simple words, running rich means that there is too much oil in your fuel, whereas running lean means there is too little oil in your fuel. 

So this was everything that you had to know about mixing and preparing fuel for your two-stroke bike.