

D.I.Y Guide – How To Choose And Mix Oil For Leaf Blower?

Most leaf blower owners use a pre-mixed fuel for their machines to save time and also to avoid making any mistakes in mixing. Pre-mixed fuels are also known for their quick accessibility and longevity, big factors for busy people. However, the convenience of using a pre-mixed fuel for a leaf blower comes with an additional cost that is not great for people who are in the budget. Should you or should you not mix oil for leaf blower

The answer is, it depends on your preference. If you want convenience, pre-mixed fuel is your best friend. But if you want to save money, or if you want to learn more about your machine, then mixing your oil and gas is a must. The task is relatively easy to do. There are industry-standard ratios that are being followed to make sure that your machine will have optimal performance.

Two-stroke blowers are more popular when it comes to leaf blowers. They’re more powerful and inexpensive to build; hence, cheaper to sell. A lot of people choose 2-stroke blowers because of its lower price compared to its 4-stroke blower counterpart. You’ll probably get a bang for your buck with this type of leaf blower. That’s if you don't mind the noise and the fuel mixing. 

With a 2-stroke blower, there is only one fuel tank available. You need to mix gas and oil to power the blower properly. This is not a recommended purchase for those who have sensitive lungs, as it blows air pollutants. Also, take note that you can’t store the gas-oil mixture beyond 30 days. 

In a 4-stroke blower, the homeowner will be expected to spend a larger amount of money compared to the two-stroke machine. But in the long run, the 4-stroke blower is more efficient in fuel and doesn’t produce noise and pollutants as much as its counterpart. 

Just like a car, a four-stroke blower features a separate fuel tank for both oil and gasoline. This means that homeowners don’t even have to think about mixing their fuels. However, you can expect to have an unofficial workout while using a 4-stroke leaf blower. These machines are heavier and need more maintenance because it has more parts.

Selecting the Oil

oil for leaf blower

When choosing the oil for your leaf blower, always consider a premium oil. One should consider gasoline with an octane rating of 89, at least. Anything below that might end up increasing the engine temperature and eventually damaging the engine.

Other Types Of Oil For Different Outdoor Gears

What is the industry standard?

Getting the best ratio is an important part of mixing oil and gas. The industry standard is 40:1 gas to oil ratio or about 3.2 ounces of oil for every gallon of gas.

For example, if you have 35 liters of gas, you need to add at least 875ml of oil to make a perfect 40:1 gas to oil ratio. If you messed up your ratio, the smoke from the exhaust would be more than ideal (if you put a lot of excess oil) and vice versa.

proper oil-to-gas ratio for leaf blower

As the industry standard, the 40:1 gas to oil ratio is the most commonly used when mixing oil and gas. To get the 40:1 ratio, all you have to do is to multiply your gas (in liters) with 2.5. Move the decimal point of the product by two digits to the right. The final answer is the amount of oil you need to add in ml. This formula is known to work on any size of fuel tanks.

How much oil do I need for a 50:1 ratio?

If the industry standard is 40:1, then why are there other ratios such as 50:1? The 50:1 ratio is used for leaf blowers, which are older models. Sometimes, the ratio needed to be used is 30:1, depending on the model itself.

If in doubt, check the engine's housing, and you will likely see the recommended ratio for your machine. For a 50:1 ratio, this means that the oil needed is lesser than the industry standard. Here’s how to calculate the ratio for your machine.

How do you calculate a 50:1 ratio?

First, you will need to know many liters of gas you’ll be using. Next, multiply the amount with two. And lastly, add a zero to the end of the product. The number you’ll receive is the amount of oil you need to use in ml.

For example, if you’re using 5L of gas, you need to use 100mL of oil to achieve a 50:1 ratio (5 x 2 = 10 = 100). Just like the previous example, this formula should work on other fuel tank sizes.

Useful maintenance tips

1. Don’t Overwork Your Leaf Blower

Sometimes, it's tempting to max out the power of your leaf blower to make the job faster. But like other human-made machines running with fuel, overwork means machine wear and tear. You'll probably finish your job more quickly, but you'll also cut the useful life of your leaf blower. Keep your machine running at a steady load to avoid damage.

2. Check The Filters Regularly

Check the filters of your leafblower before and after usage, especially the air and fuel filters. If your air filter is clogged, the power output of the machine would be less than it should be. Remove any dirt and debris by thoroughly cleaning the filter after 10 hours of use.

3. Use Up All Your Fuel Before Long-Term Storage

Nobody wants to deal with stale gas problems before running a leaf blower. To avoid this problem from occurring, make sure to use enough fuel for an area. Flush the remaining gas out of your machine if you’re going to store the blower for a long time.

4. Don’t Forget The Oil

Last but not least, don’t ever dare to forget the oil in the mixture. Using straight gas will damage your machine. Once the machine starts without the oil, it will suddenly stop and will likely need to be repaired or replaced.

We hoped you enjoyed this oil for leaf blower post. Feel free to share your experience below.

    Jeremy Delores
