Dirt bikes are awesome
A dirt bike is an awesome motorcycle to have when you’re outdoors, but what happens when you have to refuel? You need to know how to mix 2-stroke oil with petrol for dirt bikes and some road / trail motorcycles.
It can be challenging to master the art of mixing oil and fuel in a 2 stroke dirt bike, but we’re here to help with this simple guide. The classic difficulty arises in that the correct ratio of oil to fuel is not obvious.
Fortunately, this article will cover how much oil to mix with gas in a 2-stroke dirt bike and also explain how to mix it effectively in order to avoid fouling your plug or damaging your engine. Do read this article for useful tips on mixing and riding a 2-stroke dirt bike!
Why should you mix oil with fuel in 2-stroke dirt bikes?
The answer is simple. The two are needed for proper vehicle operation, for a 2-stroke dirt bike, it is recommended to mix oil with petrol because it keeps the engine from overheating and seizing up. Most 2-stroke dirt bike engines need oil to lubricate their pistons and moving parts and also without oil, the engine tends to overheat, performance will suffer and eventually, the motor will stop due to engine damage. Also, fuel combustion is accelerated by mixing oil with gas; it helps reach optimum engine performance.
For a 4-stroke engine, mixing oil with fuel is not needed because it has its own oil sump that provides all the lubrication needed for a smooth operation. Now that you know why to mix oil with gas for 2-stroke dirt bikes, you should also know why it is important to mix them in the right ratio.
Why should the correct oil to fuel ratio be?
The ratio of oil to fuel will vary depending on the engine type and size. If you use less oil than recommended, your engine may overheat too quickly and could seize up due to a lack of lubrication. On the other hand, if the oil is more than recommended, your engine will run poorly due to excess smoke production caused by burning unmetered amounts of fuel. Too little oil will result in engine damage; too much will foul the plug and produce a lot of unwanted smoke, but there will be no permanent damage to the engine, so try to avoid running the engine too lean or too rich.
For a 4-stroke engine, mixing oil with fuel is not needed because it has its own oil sump that provides all the lubrication needed for a smooth operation. Now that you know why to mix oil with gas for 2-stroke dirt bikes, you should also know why it is important to mix them in the right ratio.
What is the correct oil to fuel ratio for a 2-stroke dirt bike?
The correct oil-to-fuel ratio for a 2-stroke dirt bike varies for different bikes. The best way to know the ratio is to check your engine manual. If you don’t have an engine manual, you could ask your local dealer or someone who owns a bike similar to yours. It’s always best to get the correct ratio information by checking the book or asking an expert.
If you could not find the oil-to-fuel ratio in your manual, then you can use the average ratio, which is 40:1. To put it simply, one litre of fuel should be mixed with 25 ml of oil. The average should be used only if you could not find the right ratio in your manual; the right ratio is always your engine manual.
For a 4-stroke engine, mixing oil with fuel is not needed because it has its own oil sump that provides all the lubrication needed for a smooth operation. Now that you know why to mix oil with gas for 2-stroke dirt bikes, you should also know why it is important to mix them in the right ratio.
2-Stroke Fuel Mix Calculator Chart
Once you know the ratio, it’s time to prepare your fuel and oil. Here are the ratios for the most popular 2-stroke dirt bikes.
20:1 – The ratio of 20 to 1 means that for one gallon of gas, you need to mix 6.4 oz. of oil with it. In liters, it would be around 50 ml of oil for each liter of fuel.
25:1 – The ratio of 25:1 means that for one gallon of gas, you need to mix 5.1 oz. of oil with it. In litres, it would be around 40 ml of oil for each liter of fuel.
32:1 – If the ratio is 32:1, it means that for one gallon of gas, you need to mix 4 oz. of oil with it. In litres, it would be around 32 ml of oil for each litre of fuel.
40:1 – If the ratio is 40:1, it means that for one gallon of gas, you need to mix 3.2 oz. of oil with it. In litres, it would be around 25 ml of oil for each litre of fuel.
50:1 – If the ratio is 50:1, it means that for one gallon of gas, you need to mix 2.6 oz. of oil with it. In litres, it would be around 20 ml of oil for each litre of fuel.
You can also use a free tool premixcalculator.com to check the ratio both in US and Metric units.
FAQs
Q: What is the best 2-stroke mix ratio?
A: The best mix ratio is the one that works for you. It should depend on a variety of factors, such as your bike’s horsepower and engine size. We recommend our readers take a look at the 2-stroke mix ratio chart and find the best mix ratio for their bike, then check it against your engine manual to ensure you’re using it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Q: What should I do if I want more power?
A: It depends on the variation of oil and gas that you use. If you use too much oil, then your motorcycle will become less efficient and may not have enough fuel, given its specific design. However, if you use too little oil, then your motorcycle will become less powerful and may have a significant decrease in engine power.
Q: What happens if the 2-stroke mix is wrong?
A: The wrong fuel/oil ratio can damage the engine. To simplify the problem, consider the following scenarios:
If you use a too-low mix ratio, then your engine could be damaged when it overheats because it will not have enough lubrication, this is called running the motor too lean
If you use a too high mix ratio, then your engine could be damaged because it is not being lubricated properly, this is called running the motor too rich
Q: Do I need a separate container for mixing fuel/oil?
A: It is highly recommended to have a separate container for mixing your fuel/oil. Mixing them directly into the gas tank can be a hassle, and you may end up spilling it as you try to pour it into the tank. However, if you want to do it this way, just make sure that you never use more gas than oil if you mix them directly in the tank.
Q: How long can I hold the premix?
A: It is recommended to use the premix the same day you’ve mixed it. However, if you have premix at least four days prior to the day you will use it, your can still use it as long as you keep it in a cool and dry place.
Q: If you don’t add oil to a 2-cycle engine, will the bike still run?
A: Most 2-cycle engines will begin to run, but if you do not add oil, it will eventually seize and not start up again.
Q: Can I use premix fuel with a different ratio in my motorcycle?
A: No, never mix two-stroke oil with different ratios. You should have the same ratio for both fuel and oil, or your engine could be damaged. Mix only recommended amounts of oil to lubricate your engine properly. It is highly recommended to use a measuring cup to ensure that you use the correct amount of engine oil when mixing them directly into your fuel tank.
Q: Is a 2-stroke mix safe to use?
A: Yes, a 2-stroke mix is completely safe and legal to use; providing that you are following the recommended ratios as suggested by your engine manual.
How to mix 2 stroke oil with gas for dirt bikes effectively?
There are two ways to do it: you can either mix it directly in the fuel tank or keep a separate oil container and mix the oil in that.
Keeping an oil container is recommended because it will help you consistently mix the gas every time, and you get the added benefit of having spare oil for future refills. However, sometimes a better option would be to mix the oil directly into the fuel tank because it’s easier to do.
To mix the oil in an oil container, follow these steps:
1. Fill the oil container to the right level with fuel.
2. Fill the rest of the container with oil for the recommended amount (see above). You can use a measuring cup to accurately measure the oil.
3. Shake the container for about 30 seconds until the oil and gas have been well combined.
4. Leave it at room temperature, then pour it into your fuel tank and shake for 20 seconds so that the fuel can be thoroughly mixed into the engine.
To mix oil directly into a fuel tank:
1. Fill the tank to the right level with fuel.
2. Add the correct amount of oil in a measuring cup, then pour the oil into the tank slowly to avoid spilling.
3. Shake it for about 30 seconds or until you have a well-mixed fuel.
Conclusion
We now have discussed how to mix oil with gas in a 2-stroke dirt bike effectively so that your engine will run smoothly throughout your trip! If you follow the steps above and review this article carefully, it will only take you a few tries for you to be able to mix oil with gas without difficulty.
If you have further questions regarding mixing oil with gas for a 2-stroke dirt bike, please do not hesitate to ask us by leaving a comment below! We will get back to you as soon as we can with an answer.