Hi everyone,

Is there any difference in 2 cycle small engine vs 2 cycle injector oil?

Background, sold my ATV (400 2 stroke) which has been looked after for 20 years, always used Polaris 2 stroke injector oil. This ATV didn't see mud or water,light work around the house, take kids for drive in the neighborhood...etc.

Young Lad I sold it too contacted me to say the engine seized on second trip on the bike, first trip bike worked "awesome", put some oil in it and seized while riding the second trip.

He says he put "2 cycle oil for small engines in a small container"

I told him up front when he purchased it, the in's and out's from a to z...again this bike was well taken care of. Manual went with bike when sold. He test drove the bike, his buddy did too.

So what is the difference between atv 2 cycle injector oil and 2 cycle small engine? Is this the cause?

Thanks

 

Some oils are not made for injection. I don't know exactly what is the difference.
IMO, even being well taken care of, after 20 years I would expect to have a wore piston.
I'd suspect that more than a oil problem.

 

20 years on the same top end!! You sure can't blame the 2 stroke oil no matter whether it said for injection use or not. Even old cheap Wallworld Super Tech TCW3 marine rated 2 stroke oil could be used as a premix or injector lube for many types of engines. Had many people that used it at the shop for years. Same as a lot of more expensive 2 stroke oils that could be used in either type appplication.Super Tech TC-W3 Outboard 2-Cycle Oil, 1 Gallon - Walmart.com Wouldn't worry about this kid or even offer to repair a used machine. More than likely it needed a top end way before you sold it and the kid happened to be in the seat when it happened. Plus if he was like my son,he could tear up a steel ball with a rubber hammer..

 

If that piston was 20 years old, it was probably it's time to go. If it was the new owners first 2 stroke, he may have helped it along by not letting it warm up properly. I sold an lt250r to a newer rider, told him it needed a top end before he put to many hours on it. Sure enough, a month later he calls and says it's seized. Luckily my cousin was riding with him at the time and verified he was acting the fool, started it up and immediately went ripping on it.

 

My understanding(I'm no expert) is that some injector based 2 stroke oils have a little thinner viscosity vs. "regular" pre-mix oil. If the oil is not injector compatible, it certainly could cause engine damage, especially if it does not inject properly to the engine. According to the post the ATV was 20 years old and the kid probably ran it really hard. I'd feel bad too but the machine is old and that's the risk of buying an older machine.

 

Even Golden Spectro semi synthetic said that it wasn't for injection use but many people used this oil for years in their bikes and injector atvs. Had some people that were so hooked on castor oil that they used it also. You could smell the machine and tell that it was using castor oil..

 

Thanks for the replies, I'm not an expert either but the bike had less then 3000 miles on it so I don't think it would have needed a top end...bike work great, never abused...babied for 20 years.

I feel bad for the guy and I know I'm not responsible but I'm more looking to see if it was the oil he added that could cause the issue...more of a learning lesson for the guy...

 

Golden Spectro..Lol..A blast from the past. We won some at races years ago. I used it for chain oil.

Just seen your reply. At 3000 miles on a 2 stroke, I doubt any of our opinions will change. I personally think it needed a piston long ago. I also think the others will agree with that statement.

3000 on a babied 4 stroke and I'd agree.

 

Hit the nail on the head! Don't know how may times over the years I've seen the same thing happen when a machine was sold..especially to someone that didn't really have any knowledge of machines. 3000 miles is quite a bit on any two stroke engine regardless of oil type used. Just the nature of two strokes to have more repair than 4 strokes. Being babied and then turning it over to a kid,that's a death sentence to some machines.