16"-18" Chainsaw recommendations

50:1 is 100ml per 5 gal while 40:1 is 125ml per 5gal, how do you get more buildup from using less oil, don't you mean you get more carbon deposit from 40:1 ?

If you buy a 6 pak of sthil oil they double the warranty on a new saw so I went with that and I mix 50:1

Nope, my observations reveal more buildup at 50:1. I find that if you're tuned rich at idle is when you get the extreme wet looking buildup that is what one would expect and is super common(especially in older saws), but with 40:1 and tuned right I have experienced little to no buildup. At 50:1, it seems like it burns hotter and fries the carbon onto the slug. The oil burns too, but not as hot as the gas so it all contributes to the cooling effect of the fuel. One of the mistakes I commonly see with saws is that guys will tune them like a dirtbike where the adage is that if you're not blowin blue smoke you're lean. Saws don't need the overcompensated cooling like a relatively big bore bike does so lots of saws end up super rich with clogged spark screens and wet pistons unnecessarily.

For nearly 20 years I have run 20 L of cheap gas with 500 ml of regular Stihl mix- What's that work out to 40:1 or somewhere around there? Even richer in the heat of the summer. I never had a problem with fouled plugs or carbon build up but most importantly for the guys that worked for me - never had a top end melt down. And this is running saws 4-6 hours a day. For the average weekend warrior or volunteer builder I highly suggest running your saw on the rich side. Your investment will last you much longer and if you aren't trying to make a living with it why would you abuse it…. just remember heat kills saws

For nearly 20 years I have run 20 L of cheap gas with 500 ml of regular Stihl mix- What's that work out to 40:1 or somewhere around there? Even richer in the heat of the summer. I never had a problem with fouled plugs or carbon build up but most importantly for the guys that worked for me - never had a top end melt down. And this is running saws 4-6 hours a day. For the average weekend warrior or volunteer builder I highly suggest running your saw on the rich side. Your investment will last you much longer and if you aren't trying to make a living with it why would you abuse it…. just remember heat kills saws

you mean oil rich or tuned rich?

Heat does kill - that is one of the reasons that modding mufflers helps!

Tuned a little rich is OK IMO, so long as it's not so rich that it loads up or is noticeably low on power. If your saw has a tendency to stall when picking it up from idling a bit, then it's likely rich on the low speed screw and is "loading" up with fuel.

Not sure I'd go much richer on the oil than 40:1, personally, but I've heard of lots of guys running 32:1 with no reported issues.

BTW, for those of you that want some bedtime reading. Talks about "four stroking" etc…
Chainsaw Carb tuning article / tutorial

lots of other chainsaw stuff...chains, clutches, etc..

sweet links

for occasional use the extra couple dollars are worth buying ethanol-free gas (chevron 94). if you have gas sitting around for a few months better not to have ethanol than can separate and attract water. ethanol is also hard on cheaper saws like poulans.

i always use the top octane …. i treat the 261 better than i treat me..

nothing but premium and Sthil oil which is sposed to have fuel conditioner in it but if the premix gets too old I put it in the truck

chainy porn for chrissy

That will be a nice dinner table. Cheers

I love my new saw. :)

Yea thats lookn like it will do…:)

Thats the setup you need with the trials bike, Duke.

here is what i did yday….

that poulan blade cover is for my stihl…i SWEAR!! lol