Ultimate Guide to Gas and Oil Mix for Craftsman String Trimmers
Craftsman has both 2-cycle and 4-cycle string trimmers available. If you don’t know what kind of fuel your string trimmer takes, you could end up harming the motor.
Unleaded gasoline with an octane level of 89 or above and no more than 10% ethanol can be used in Craftsman Weedwacker string trimmers.
- Gasoline for 2-cycle Craftsman string trimmers must be diluted 50:1 with 2-cycle engine oil.
- Separate fill ports can be seen on 4-cycle Craftsman string trimmers. One for gas and one for engine oil.
Check the manual that came with your Craftsman string trimmer to find out what kind of engine it has.
Before diagnosing, repairing, or operating, be sure you’ve read and understood all of the safety recommendations in the equipment’s operator’s manual. If you are unsure about how to proceed or if you lack the necessary expertise or experience, you should seek the assistance of a professional.
Table of Contents
Craftsman String Trimmers and Stale Gas
If your Craftsman string trimmer is malfunctioning, the problem is probably related to the gas. It can exacerbate problems with power loss, difficulty starting, and death.
After only 30 days, gas might start to degrade. Most gasoline contains ethanol, which attracts moisture because of its hydrophilic nature.
The varnish and sticky deposits left behind by this moisture and ethanol mixture might impede fuel flow and lead to premature component failure. This is typically the case when a Craftsman carburetor stops working.
Ethanol, which is produced from plants with a high starch content like maize, is added to gas to make it more eco-friendly. Even if it’s better for the planet, this product shouldn’t be used in a vehicle with a little engine.
Gas degrades rapidly, so always use newly produced gas. To keep gas from going bad as quickly, use a gasoline stabilizer like Sea Foam Motor Treatment to cut down on moisture.
All Craftsman string trimmers call for unleaded gasoline with an octane value of 89 or above and no more than 10% (E10) ethanol. Add 2-cycle premium oil to the gas before putting it into the fuel port if your Craftsman trimmer has a 2-cycle engine.
Don’t buy any gas with an ethanol percentage more than 10%, whether it’s labeled E15, E30, or E85. The maximum percentage of ethanol in these fuels is 15, 30, and 85%, respectively. You will have fewer problems related to stale fuel if you switch to an ethanol-free fuel.
Fuel & Oil for a Craftsman Two-Cycle String Trimmer
Blending Gas and Oil for a Craftsman String Trimmer’s Two-Cycle Engine
A 2-cycle premium oil must be mixed with gas before being used in any 2-cycle Craftsman string trimmer. If you have a 2-cycle string trimmer, you shouldn’t put pure gas in it.
The car’s engine will seize up and stop working if you do this. This is because gas supplies are so low. The engine’s internal parts won’t be able to move smoothly without the oil that is added to the gas as a lubricant.
If you start your string trimmer after putting pure gas in it, you will probably need to get a new one. There’s no hope of saving the engine now.
The fuel/oil ratio for your Craftsman 2-cycle string trimmer is 40:1. This formula translates to a ratio of 40:1 gas to oil. Make use of the table down below.
To make this blend, you should use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 89 or higher (mid-grade) and no more than 10% ethanol. Craftsman recommends using a full synthetic 2-cycle engine oil, such as ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD approved 2-cycle premium oil.
Two-cycle Craftsman string trimmer fuel and oil ratio:
Prepare the correct amount of fuel mix by consulting the table below.
Take the top off a legal gas container. Fill a gas can with unleaded fuel (at least 89 octane and no more than 10% ethanol).
Add the 2-cycle oil to the gas can according to the chart’s recommended ounces.
Put the cap back on.
The fuel and oil should be gently shaken together to combine them.
Fill up the tank of the Craftsman string trimmer.
2-Cycle Craftsman Gas-to-Oil Mix
Gas to Oil Mix | 1 Gal Gas | 2 Gal Gas | 2.5 Gal Gas |
---|---|---|---|
40:1 | 3.2 oz Oil | 6.4 oz Oil | 8.0 oz Oil |
Pre-Mixed, Non-Ethanol, 2-Stroke Fuel
Using an ethanol-free gasoline blend is a wonderful way to lessen fuel-related issues and maximize engine longevity. This oil and gasoline mixture is ready to use in your Craftsman string trimmer and contains no ethanol.
You won’t have to worry about ethanol’s drawbacks, as mentioned above in the fuel section.
You can get fuels that don’t contain ethanol at any hardware shop or on the internet. For 2-cycle motors, TruFuel provides a premixed 40:1 fuel.
Fuel For 4-Cycle Craftsman String Trimmer
Fuel for a Craftsman 4-Cycle Hedge Trimmer
Although 2-cycle Craftsman string trimmers have been available for some time, 4-cycle models are now readily available. Because of the two distinct fuel and oil ports on these motors, gasoline and oil are never mixed.
For optimal performance, Craftsman 4-cycle string trimmers need to be fuelled with unleaded gasoline that has an octane rating of 89 or higher and contains no more than 10% ethanol.
A fuel stabilizer, such as Sea Foam or STA-BIL, is recommended to prevent gasoline from deteriorating too quickly and to lessen the formation of sticky deposits in the fuel system.
Although using gasoline with a minimal amount of ethanol is permissible, it is not ideal. Ethanol-free fuel is recommended for use in your Craftsman string trimmer.
Gas without ethanol is more expensive. Some gas stations sell it under the brand name REC-90. Containerized 4-cycle motor fuel is widely available at hardware stores and online.
If you don’t want to deal with the potential problems that can arise from putting old ethanol-based gas through a string trimmer, purchasing in canisters may be a smart alternative.
Craftsman String Trimmer’s Four-Cycle Engine Oil
Both the engine oil and the fuel are refilled through different ports on 4-cycle engines. For a 4-cycle motor, NEVER combine oil and fuel. Always use 4-cycle oil in your string trimmer, and never 2-cycle oil.
The engine’s moving parts can’t function without oil. Using the incorrect kind of oil or not enough of it might cause the engine to overheat, which will prevent the string trimmer from starting and possibly destroy the engine.
The engine oil recommended by Craftsman is SAE30.
If you plan on operating your string trimmer in extreme heat or cold, you may want to swap out the engine oil for something more suitable.
4-Cycle Craftsman Engine Oil Viscosity
Manufacturer | Engine Oil |
---|---|
Craftsman | SAE30 |
In Conclusion
Your Craftsman string trimmer’s efficiency is dependent on the type of fuel you use. Corrosion and fuel limitation are two effects of aging fuel. Selecting the right fuel for your Craftsman string trimmer is as easy as following these steps:
- Always use newly purchased gas and use it up within 30 days.
- Ethanol content in the gas shouldn’t exceed 10%.
- Identify whether your Craftsman has a two-cycle or four-cycle engine.
- The fuel tank of a 2-cycle vehicle requires a combination of gas and oil.
- All-Gas 4-Cycle: No LPG!
- You may prevent your gas from deteriorating as quickly by adding a fuel stabilizer to it.
- Keep gas away from moisture and flammable materials.