Berryman's and the such

[pais]

 Picked up a 2 stroke Toro snowblower from my neighbor. She still had gas mix in the tank/carb from last Winter. Blower did start after quite a few pulls yesterday. Daughter went out and started and used it today. She said it started easy. Anybody know if it's ok to ad fuel additive/cleaner to gas oil mix in tank like we do with our Valks sometimes?
  Older I get the more I despise Winter. My job now and for last 18yrs, I've had to work outside in it.

[Bighead]

Should be fine.

[Jess from VA]

Yes.

[fudgie]

Most of the oil mix comes with stabilizer in it.

[pais]

  Good to hear, Jess and Bighead! Thanks! Cant say that it's "broke" but it sure smoked a ton when I started it yesterday. I let it run for a short time. Smoked for most of that time. Did not smoke when my daughter used it today. For a 2 stroke it does not seem to be running at a high rpm like I expect. I have the smaller version of the same snow blower. Have had it for about 8-9yrs. Great unit and that motor screams. Gotta re-tighten every nut and bolt, every year sometimes, twice a year.

[pais]

  Yes Fudge I saw that. I was thinking of the treatment/cleaning value of a Berrymans or such.

[Pappy!]

Since it is running I would go with the recommended dosage and not go more than that. Above all...run it. Do not mix good gas with the old gas either. Get rid of the old stuff and keep fresh gas in it. No alcohol if you can find it.

[Bighead]

Also if it is not running at a high rpm you may have a stopped up jet. Smoke no worries,but 2 strokes should run at a ridiculous rpm.

[cookiedough]

Since it is running I would go with the recommended dosage and not go more than that. Above all...run it. Do not mix good gas with the old gas either. Get rid of the old stuff and keep fresh gas in it. No alcohol if you can find it.

agree,  too much and not good either.  Am sure the gas tank is pretty small so do not need tons of it.  I had a lawn mower and must have used too much seafoam in the very small push mower tank and darn thing first time ever ran for 2-3 seconds and kept dying on me would not stay running, knew then I added too much seafoam. 

YES,  91 octane NON-ethanol is the way to go for smaller engines not ran weekly. 

[da prez]

  pais , if its not running what you think is fast enough , check the fuel line and see if is mushy. Not knowing how old the machine is , it is possible the fuel line reacted to the fuel. We see it quite often.

                                                 da prez

[pais]

   I'll give a look at the fuel line(s) and see what condition they are in. I don't know what type of fuel she used. I have to assume she used good ole ethanol. I have pure gas on hand for all the small engine stuff around the house. Was not smart enough to dump out what she had in there  . No, it does not seem to be running at an RPM that a 2 stroke should. That's exactly why I wanna try some Berryman's. It will be interesting on proper amount. Yes, tank is small.
   With no lack of the white sh*t around. I will try it and let you guys know.

[cookiedough]

I inherited and used first time ever my mother in laws VERY old 1971 blue/white sears homelite snowblower with HUGE chute about 20 inches wide but very tall opening.  Engine replaced with B&S around 15 years or more ago since OEM engine of course was shot.  Ran like a champ, even with at least 1 year old gas sitting in it since last winter (about 1/4th of tank had old gas in it).  It fired up just fine I know I added stabilizer in the tank last year for her and ran it to mix it all in.  I just left old gas in there and added fresh 91 octane to fill it up, ran like a champ after the first puffs of blue smoke at initial startup sitting for over 1 year now not running.  It does have a huge gas tank though for such a small engine I ran it to do driveway for 1 hour yesterday and the tank ONLY went down 1/4th from the full mark, good to know that 5hp B&S engine sips the gas.   To run over 4 hours or so on one tank of gas I think is a long time for a snowblower?

I know I changed the oil for her 2 years (possibly 3?) ago with only guessing 5-6 uses in the past 2 years with regular 5w-30 car oil.  I think for sure after giving it a good workout this winter am sure,  it will be due for an oil change.  I do not think a snowblower needs an oil change EVERY year for only 5-6 uses is about it, but much more than 2 years on same oil is probably not good either although it looks very clean of course still. 

[old2soon]

4 stroke lawn mower-Briggs engine-2 stoke weed eater-marine stabil added to the first gas of the season and all season long. After a winters hibernation the Briggs usually fires up by the 2nd pull. The 2 stroke takes a tad bit more work though!  Generally by the 4th pull.  BUT I'm kinda anal bout my engines.  RIDE SAFE.