All of the changes to oils, all oils, not just 2 stroke, have been brought about primarily by EPA and insurance companies, either for alleged environmental reasons, or rediculous and unfounded safety reasons such as fire potential of large stocks of product. Almost none of the changes have been made with any effort or concern to increase engine performance or longevity. They have removed zinc from 4 stroke oils, which has led to many severe problems with older piston engines. And they have turned outboard 2 stroke oils into something closer to liquid soap rather than actual oil.
Back in the day, 2 stroke oil was 2 stroke oil. Chainsaw, snowmobile, dirt bike, it was all the same. And well made engines that were maintained and had proper oil/fuel mixes had very long lives. It was not uncommon back in the 1980's, to come across old outboards and chainsaws from the 40's and 50's that had never been apart, by evidence the original paint was on the engine, screws and gaskets, and many still ran perfectly. But reductions in oil mix, first 50:1, and then some recommending 100:1 mixes in those old motors, brought rapid ends to those motors and they dropped like flies. It is interesting that all motor manufactures now limit ratios to 50:1, they all learned their lesson.
Anyway, call me nuts but I run high quality chainsaw oil in all two strokes, outboards included. I also bypass and/or remove oil injection systems and run mixed fuel. When, not if the oil injection system fails, and they all fail, lubrication failure will destroy your motor. I run close to 50:1 (40:1 to just below 50:1) in outboards, but I like closer to 30:1 in my saws. And I do not run synthetics.
Why? Because I am sick and tired of having to read and memorize all the changes coming down the pike every few months of how or which oil they screwed up this time. Chainsaws work harder and run hotter than almost any 2 stroke, and rev higher than almost any other 2 stroke engine short of model airplane engines. If the bearings and rings and cylinder can stay clean and lubricated in one a chainsaw, that oil will work in an outboard. And ive never had a failure in either one when it was mixed right. Unlike most engines, chainsaws are often carted miles and miles into the backwoods, and many are flown in to fight forest fires. The saws, as well as the oils and saw chains, lead a tough life and yet must always perform. Any failures are rapidly seen and heard in the market, and can make or break a competitor in that market almost overnight. Generally, chainsaws dont have oil failures. Well, unless you dont mix any oil into the fuel, or not enough. JUST MY OPINION.
