✅Click here for the Borescope ➜ amzn.to/3l3uD8A ✅Click here for Red Armor Oil ➜ amzn.to/3l8jFyJ For more videos like this, check out: 👉WARNING: Never Do This To ANY Leaf Blower ➜ th-cam.com/video/pzcgW6hJgVc/w-d-xo.html 👉How To Quickly Repair a Stihl Leaf Blower that Won't Rev Up ➜ th-cam.com/video/XFDvinWIkCY/w-d-xo.html 👉How to Adjust or Tune the Carburetor on a Leaf Blower ➜ th-cam.com/video/DWPUYJiF6KM/w-d-xo.html 👉Hidden Adjusting Screws On Some Trimmers And Blowers ➜ th-cam.com/video/tlsVcCdzaoA/w-d-xo.html You can connect with Steve here too: ✅Visit Steve’s WEBSITE ➜ www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/ ✅Visit Steve’s PARTS & TOOL STORE ➜ www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon ✅Follow Steve on FACEBOOK ➜ facebook.com/stevessmallenginesaloon ✅Follow Steve on INSTAGRAM ➜ instagram.com/stevessmallenginesaloon/ ✅Follow Steve on TWITTER ➜ twitter.com/SteveSaloon
In Europe, it is forbidden to use a sparks arrestor, which is awesome to have one less problem and more power. And standards fuel is 98 octane ethanol-free gasoline at a current cost of 1,2€/l
Hey just want to say thank you!! For me growing up without a father and no one to teach me things I have learned tremendous amounts of knowledge from guys like you. And it’s not just small engines I can work on by myself but pretty anything. Guys like you give guys like me something that i can pass on to my kids. Knowledge is everything. So thank you and god bless. Keep up the great work
Now do another with your regular fuel mix. I think the extended run time Is the answer. Most blowers get ran just long enough to blow a few clippings. I'd bet 90% never see a continuous 35 minutes at full tilt
I was thinking the same thing. These 2 strokes carbon up the most from idling a lot and the lube oil in the fuel mix just chars and collects instead of vaporizing off into fine ash. Running full throttle heats up the screen until it's glowing really good then the carbon burns off. That's also how spark plugs clean themselves. They have to glow just enough to lift off the carbon. But, this additive probably does work however. I do like how Steve tests these things for us to see if they are BS or not. Definitely thumbs upping this video.
I often do at work, Im a grounds keeper for a retirement village and we often get everything done in one sweep, meaning the blower will run for up to two tanks sometimes three, back to back
If TH-cam gets a hall of fame museum that leaf blower is going to be there as one of your greatest tool props. Keep up the great work Steve and keep the saloon well stocked!
Hi Steve when i got my STIHL FS55R before i restored it the engine was all carboned up just like that and i ran ECHO Red Armor oil mixed with VP fuel through it for at least 2 months and my piston,cylinder and spark arrestor are near spotless it truly does work as advertised when i shined my flashlight down the spark plug hole it was blindingly clean and it even cleans the spark plug over time except for a reddish tinge and now runs like a champ since.
I used to manage a small engine shop and we saw the results using red armor right away. And it’s amazing to see how much it improved the longevity of commercial units especially those used by municipalities. It’s a good fix for 2 cycle engines that run bad due to inferior oil.
Thanks Steve , I imagine if I used red Armor from new I would never have to worry about carbon build up . That was a great example of the quality of the products that we run through our equipment . I'm a "whatever is on sale" guy, I think you just changed my mind!
The Stihl dealer I use actually recommended that I switch from Stihl HP Ultra to Shindaiwa Red Armor. This dealer is highly reputable and said Red Armor was the oil they used back in their repair shop to service 2 cycle and Stihl 4-Mix equipment. Thanks for the video. Keep up the good work. By the way, your video on cleaning Briggs and Stratton plastic carburetors allowed me(along with the help of a neighbor) to resuscitate a Poulan Pro 500 series push mower my brother in law had written off after only one season or less of use. I now have a free lawn mower as an extra as he doesn’t want it back. Thanks Steve!
@@jameswyeth8223 Currently using Stabil to prepare it for winter storage and will burn the gas out of the tank and carburetor before doing so. I'll look into fuel fit though and thanks.
Jason Egan of Egan Performance Saws says he’s never seen carbon buildup in a saw that’s been running Red Armor… great stuff, and thanks for the great test!
The spark arrester surprised me after it cleaned the piston as it did and I have been running Red Armor exclusively for over 4yrs. The carbon from the piston had to pass through that spark arrester on it was out of the engine. My 31yr old Suzuki 2-cycle powered Toro Recycler loves Red Armor.
Hi Steve, that was quite impressive especially the spark arrestor that came up super clean. I suppose with the piston it can’t work miracles but it was definitely a marked improvement. Turned out to be decent stuff which does what it says, even though it was two tanks but all in all I’d give that product a 👍 up. Good video Steve 🙂👍
Great test, thanks for sharing it with us. I didn't even run the tank of Stihl Ultra that the dealer put in my 500i. Dumped it out and refueled with Red Armor. Very pleased.
Thank you Steve! I have come to appreciate your channel as the "Encyclopedia Britannica" of small engine repair and maintenance. Thank you so much for sharing this info with us!! Time for a cold one!
Hi Steve... I've been repairing mower's and small engines for around 37 years now, not any longer I've retired though arthritis has caught up! anyway, I've had my own mower business and been a golf course manager working on Toro's and John Deere machines to name a few so I have quite a bit of experience in this field, based on that I would like to congratulate you on your educational TH-cam channel I love the way you deliver content and I'm actually learning stuff.
Great work Steve! I have a 12 year old BG 55 that I took the spark screen out of years ago because it alwasy clogged. The Red Armor is good stuff. Been running it for the last year . Worth the extra money.
Steve, I'm using Huskvarna Saws Big to small, Husky XP oil at 50/1, works Fine, I have Also used Marine Two Stroke oil, for Years, Looking in Cylinder, bore scope ,I think it works as well or better. I'm Talking 395XP, Modern Saws X Torque 372 XP All the way Down, Even Vintage Huskies,40 years old. Ran it by a Tech I knew at Baileys I CA. No Worries, 91 O. pump fuel.
I purchased a 1984 MZ 250cc motorcycle brand new. In the first ten or 15 years of ownership I had to burn out the clogged exhaust on a few occasions. Since then I have not had that problem which is probably due to the availability of JASO FC oils. A few years ago the brand of oil I use became JASO FD. Back in 2017 I had to dismantle the engine for the first time to repair the gearbox, odometer was at 128,000km. I was surprized that the piston crown and cylinder head were free of carbon and the piston rings and grooves were in excellent condition.
I have had good luck with the cylinder clearing up, but my spark arrestor clogged and a mps gas torch was unsuccessful at clearing the buildup, after using ECHO Red Armor for a year. Of course my dealer had a quick fix, cut the screen off the spark arrestor, because it is not used in the woods! Recently I saw the often laughed at can of small engine fix it, on sale! So I bought one. Two tanks on an old FC-44 (bought in 1996) edger that had not been startable for maybe 4 years, yay it goes!
Started running it in my equipment and found the same, much cleaner. Stihl chainsaw went through 3 tanks last week and the screen and plug were spotless. Peeked in the cylinder with the muffler off and it was impressively clean. Local small engine shop recommended Red Armour instead of Stihl oil based on what they see during maintenance and repair and I'm sold on it.
ok next thing to try is steam into the air intake. Coal gasification is the process of producing syngas-a mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), natural gas (CH4), and water vapour (H2O)-from coal and water, air and/or oxygen. All you need to do is get the engine running without air filter and spray steam into it at a rate that doesnt stall the motor out. ( you can mist water in but its less forgiving) Pistons look like brand new after this treatment. (dont do this too long in a 4 stroke and change oil after this treatment) Youre welcome and greetings from down under
Interesting. I wonder if any properly mixed tank of fuel would have done the same thing. Could have run that first. If no change, you could have tried the red armor. Hard to experiment with one test specimen (blower). :) Last guy could have been running a rich oil mix, etc.
Hi Steve. Just heard about Red Amor from a friend. I was as always, skeptical but after watching this video and reading some of the comments I think I will switch over and try it. Now to be clear, I’m using a small Stihl weed trimmer for hours at a time on a private road. The other neighbours that help have larger Stihl and Echo trimmers that help have to stop and clean spark arrestors between tanks. The machines work beautifully full throttle, otherwise, they need TLC. Great video again. Thanks.
For decarbonising i like to run 32 : 1 red armour mix . It made a believer outta me few yrs back when i heard from a friend . Have an old blower was getting tired and hard start , ran coupla tanks thru and continues to run like new . I♥️my 620 an 7310🔥
WOW! Tempted to buy a can for myself. I’ve been burnt a few times on spark arrestor a before I figured out what they were and symptoms they emit. I just remove them before I move the machine on. I run Husky Syn Mix with Regular Gas and Cap full of seafoam in the tank.
I solely use Red Armor Mix Oil, might be a tad bit more expensive however found long ago that it really is superior to other less expensive alternatives. For the amount that you use it only makes sense to go this way in my experience. Cheers.
The effect is from running it at full throttle to get the engine fully hot and keeping it hot under a full load, you can get better results putting a 1/4 teaspoon of 2 cycle oil in through the plug hole to sit over night to soften the carbon before doing this procedure.
I run 50:1 Red Armor in ethanol free gasoline I get from the pump at my local Quick Trip. My equipment is super clean. All of my 2 strokes are muffler modded and tuned. I keep the spark arrestors in to keep junk out. They all start with a couple of pulls with the choke and I tune them for good throttle response and easy starts. With the good fuel and Red Armour all I do is clean air filters and fuel them up and they run good👍
Isn't it fun to try something you've been thinking about for years. I might try this. As I use Stihl 2 stroke oil but I have to see what they look like right now. Great video Steve Thanks from Alberta
I tore down a 461 engine for portwork and cleaned all the carbon out. New plug, 32-1 red armour. Pulled the plug after 10 tanks, couldn’t barely tell the saw had been run. Nuts.
I've Ben using red armor for a wile I like the stuff on saws I tear down it puts a nice coating on all the parts an seems to work great in all my ported saws as well
Great video and great experiment. I’m thinking that the red armor fuel in a can might be even more effective because of the higher octane non ethanol fuel
I agree, Red Armor will clean up your two cycle equipment. I have been using it for almost a year, after using that filthy Stihl Ultra for several years. I now do not have to clean black ash from the muffler and front of my saws, anymore. They are clean as a bell. Spark arrestors are also very clean.
It works well The longer you use it the more carbon it will clean out. I haven't had an issue with clogged spark arrestors or fouled plugs since I started using it. We are a commercial company and go through 5 to 10 gallons a week of 2 cycle gas.
I use a kitchen chiefs blow torch to clear the spark arresters takes about 3 minutes - and a few gentle taps with a screwdriver . In the past I used a fine brass wire brush. I have to say in Australia the blue sthil 2 stroke seems to be clogging up the spark arrester faster than the shell 2stroke I have switched to. Love ya work Steve 👣🦘🇦🇺🍻
I agree, Echo Red Armor is great oil. I have been running it for almost a year, now, after running that filthy Stihl Ultra oil for quite a few years in all of my two cycle stuff. I run PNE gas at 50:1 with a stabilizer added to the gas. I have had a problem with my Stihl MS 241CM for several years. It did not like to start and liked to flood itself. I finally decided to check the spark arrester after going through all of my other checks. It was completely blocked. I actually had to remove the muffler and cook it in my ultra sonic cleaner before I could get the spark arrester out of it. I burned the spark arrester screen out with my LP torch, cleaned up the muffler and put everything back together. It started on the 3rd pull and ran, normally. Red armor would have probably cleaned it up if I had been able to get it going. It was probably my fault because I do not use my 241, like I should. It is good oil.
Thank you for telling me to turn the Pull Starter around so I can Easilly Pull the Starter rope ( in one of your Videos ) this is a New Generator and is alot easier to Start THANKS alot .... You are worth at least Five stars if not more
Thank you again Steve! You provide really great information. I will use Red Armor for a couple tanks intermittently. I like your newly painted Husqvarna orange bench.
I have a fair amount of 2 stroke OPE equipment. I've found blowers and trimmers run much better on Red Armor than with Stihl HP2. But can't tell much difference with chainsaws, perhaps it's a RPM thing. I run 3.0 OZ of oil to a gallon at 42.6:1 on everything. One thing is forsure HP2 has a very high flash point for 2 stroke oil.. 432 F.
Most synthetic oils very little or no carbon build up. Very expensive oil but worth it. Nice video. Thanks PS: ATF fluid also melts varnish carbon . Don't run on ATF but you can soak it a few days. Then run
I read of the ATF trick when I was into Honda Civics/CRX's 20+yrs ago. A tablespoon or two down each spark plug hole and let in soak for a day or two. I never tried it though. Supposedly ATF is good for cleaning/restoring plastic engine covers too. I never tried that either, I just remember reading it
I'd love to see the test repeated using a generic 2 cycle oil vs. Red Armor. I do think 70 minutes continuous run time at full throttle affected the carbon more then the oil but who knows?
I have seen on another youtube video by a lady mechanic that Stihl's own 2 cycle oil carbons up the worst out of all brands. Glad that I lost mine that came with my new Stihl chainsaws (dealer threw them in for free since I bought 2 new saws) and I have been using Echo 2 cycle oil instead!
@@joefudd there's several chainsaw builders that says the samething about Stihl HP and the worst was Husky oil. One says go to any motorcycle shop and get a good 2 cycle oil or he runs Lucas and the other runs Motul 800 2t.
Best mix i ever used. My crap runs better then ever. Stihl mix and Husqvarna is not even close. I love red armour. I use it in race engines for high strung rc 32 cc ported all the way up to 72cc and no scuffing in cylinders it protects and runs clean and dont smell like ass. Ypu have to realize baked on crap on pistons and cylinders is mega tuff to get off even with cleaners so what its doing is great. Imagine in a new engine. Clean for life.
I see a lot of folks in here had the same sentiment I did. Do a side by side because running full throttle for 35 minutes at a time should clean off the spark arrestor itself. The Red Armor does work well over time to keep an engine and spark arrestor clean.
Luckily I just switched to battery outdoor equipment for my business.. no more carbon issues. I still have my ts800 cut off saw though. Nothing in cordless that size yet
@@herbertvonsauerkrautunterh2513 oh wow, yes I love the Makita battery tools, I was working as an electrician back in the day when they came out with their cordless drill, it was outstanding... I bought this 2 years ago and absolutely love it, Makita XCU06T 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless (5.0Ah) 10" Top Handle Chain Saw Kit, the power and the run time shocked me, I want the 14" one now in the 36V, thank you for replying to me...
Gee, it's nice when things work they way they are supposed to. Cheers for that presentation. BTW, Stihl do say that, with their oils at least, to run their products flat out to avoid carbon build up. Because this rarely happens, you get carbon build up.
Great Vid Steve! It did work well. Cleaning the carbon off the top of the piston isn’t as important as cleaning the spark arrestor screen which literally chokes off the engine.
I agree with Jake C. I would like to see a plug spark arrestor ran with regular fuel mix for 35 minutes straight to see if it’s actually the extended continuous run time or if it’s the actual product doing the cleaning.
Interesting. I use this in my little Toro snowthrower, the 98cc Powerlite. Red Armor reduces the intensity of that 'motorboat' smell by about 80%, by my WAG test methodology. I can peacefully co-exist with a little carbon, but I hate that lingering premix stench once I'm done using the machine.
I would assume it has more to do with the way the test was run rather than the mix oil that was used. Not running it hard will cause it to build the carbon. Running it wide open for that time allowed it to burn off.
I like the Red Armor oil if for no other reason that there’s no confusion as to if I added it to my mix jug. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve second guessed myself with the Stihl synthetic oil and ended up dumping the jug into my car or mower to mix a fresh one.
Agreed! Just bought a new stihl trimmer and the hardware store put some fuel in it and started it before I left. When I got home the fuel in the bubble and tank looked a little too clear. Looked too much like straight gas to me. So better safe than sorry. It probably was some different mix, but it wasn't blue, purple or red, so rather than trust the hardware dude that was just selling plumbing a minute ago, I dumped it in the mower and refilled the trimmer with the mixed fuel I had just made for the chainsaw. Ethanol free and red armor. I do like the color, cause even sometimes I forget if I added the mix already to the gas or not. Lol
I agree to some degree. It will clean out a partially clogged spark arrester screen but not a fully blocked screen. I have an ms 241 that had been giving me problems for several years burning Stihl Ultra two cycle oil. I changed over to Red Armor two cycle oil earlier this year in all of my two cycle gas. I run PNE gas and mix at 50:1. All of my saws love Red Armor. My 241 CM was still not starting as it should, if at all. I finally pulled the spark arrester screen from it and it was fully blocked with carbon. I burned it off with my LP torch and it now runs fine. It was partially my fault because I do not use my 241, like I should
FWIW, many of the entry level Stihl units (BG-56, FS-38, MS-170 etc.) often have clogged arrestor screens because the operator lets them idle excessively and doesn't get the screen hot. I'd like to see the same experiment with whatever oil, but just running WOT for 35 minutes. You know, just to see if it's the Red Armour or the higher exhaust temps cleaning the spark arrestor.
That is cool! I wonder if the "Red Armor" is just a little 'Marvel Mystery Oil' additive? or if "Marvel Mystery Oil" (it's red in color) would have the same effect. I did notice Stihl 2-stroke oil is made by Castrol Oil Company. Now the Red Armor also has fuel stabilizer in it too, right?
I was using ECHO power blend with 92 non ethanol fuel and it was leaving a powdery deposit inside the carb and plugging the main jet on my 280T only after 3 months. I switched to the Red Armor with 92 non ethanol fuel for a few years now and have had no problems with a dirty carb even after sitting a year. IMHO it DOES work and I have since then started using it in ALL my 2 cycle equipment.
I wonder if letting it idle might clean it better since it would take longer to burn a tank but idling may cause even more carbon buildup. That would be an experiment to try though. Or even pour some of the fuel mix in on top of the piston & let it soak.
I locked up a 10hp briggs when I lost track of what I had added to my fuel. “Slight” overdose of stabil marine and seafoam in the same tank knocked every bit of 25 years worth of carbon off the piston and filled the chamber so full it locked the motor. Popped the head off and shop vac the chamber good as new.
I have to look for some of the Red Armor oil to mix with some fuel and I use pure premium fuel in my 2 cycle machines to make sure they are clean. Thanks Steve for the tip and I hope it works for me also.
✅Click here for the Borescope ➜ amzn.to/3l3uD8A
✅Click here for Red Armor Oil ➜ amzn.to/3l8jFyJ
For more videos like this, check out:
👉WARNING: Never Do This To ANY Leaf Blower ➜ th-cam.com/video/pzcgW6hJgVc/w-d-xo.html
👉How To Quickly Repair a Stihl Leaf Blower that Won't Rev Up ➜ th-cam.com/video/XFDvinWIkCY/w-d-xo.html
👉How to Adjust or Tune the Carburetor on a Leaf Blower ➜ th-cam.com/video/DWPUYJiF6KM/w-d-xo.html
👉Hidden Adjusting Screws On Some Trimmers And Blowers ➜ th-cam.com/video/tlsVcCdzaoA/w-d-xo.html
You can connect with Steve here too:
✅Visit Steve’s WEBSITE ➜ www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/
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i use Amsoil Saber @80:1 exclusively. what say you?
In Europe, it is forbidden to use a sparks arrestor, which is awesome to have one less problem and more power. And standards fuel is 98 octane ethanol-free gasoline at a current cost of 1,2€/l
@@_AndromedaGalaxy_ My stuff requires 50 to 1
@@user-fn9st2fs9msame and it all runs better on 80:1 Amsoil Saber. new id mix it heavy but my stuff is all used.
In case anyone is looking for this and doesn’t know, Shindaiwa and Echo are the same company. Around here, you’ll only find Echo Red Armor.
Agreed!
Hey just want to say thank you!! For me growing up without a father and no one to teach me things I have learned tremendous amounts of knowledge from guys like you. And it’s not just small engines I can work on by myself but pretty anything. Guys like you give guys like me something that i can pass on to my kids. Knowledge is everything. So thank you and god bless. Keep up the great work
That is awesome!
Now do another with your regular fuel mix. I think the extended run time Is the answer. Most blowers get ran just long enough to blow a few clippings. I'd bet 90% never see a continuous 35 minutes at full tilt
I hear so many people running small power equipment at idle with the occasional throttle blip, especially blowers and string trimmers.
I was thinking the same thing. These 2 strokes carbon up the most from idling a lot and the lube oil in the fuel mix just chars and collects instead of vaporizing off into fine ash. Running full throttle heats up the screen until it's glowing really good then the carbon burns off. That's also how spark plugs clean themselves. They have to glow just enough to lift off the carbon.
But, this additive probably does work however. I do like how Steve tests these things for us to see if they are BS or not. Definitely thumbs upping this video.
Does the same in chainsaws so that theory is dismissed
Can't agree there, my backpack blower runs wide open till I can't stand it any more, two three maybe 4 fills at a session.
I often do at work, Im a grounds keeper for a retirement village and we often get everything done in one sweep, meaning the blower will run for up to two tanks sometimes three, back to back
If TH-cam gets a hall of fame museum that leaf blower is going to be there as one of your greatest tool props. Keep up the great work Steve and keep the saloon well stocked!
Right on Larry! Thank You...
Hi Steve when i got my STIHL FS55R before i restored it the engine was all carboned up just like that and i ran ECHO Red Armor oil mixed with VP fuel through it for at least 2 months and my piston,cylinder and spark arrestor are near spotless it truly does work as advertised when i shined my flashlight down the spark plug hole it was blindingly clean and it even cleans the spark plug over time except for a reddish tinge and now runs like a champ since.
Awesome! Thank You...
My Stihl equipment runs great even on the regular Echo Power blend. Gonna try this on my stuff. I run fs 70rs and a couple of echo handheld blowers.
I used to manage a small engine shop and we saw the results using red armor right away. And it’s amazing to see how much it improved the longevity of commercial units especially those used by municipalities. It’s a good fix for 2 cycle engines that run bad due to inferior oil.
Agreed!
It’s crazy but it works great and keeps them clean 😊
Thanks Steve , I imagine if I used red Armor from new I would never have to worry about carbon build up . That was a great example of the quality of the products that we run through our equipment . I'm a "whatever is on sale" guy, I think you just changed my mind!
The Stihl dealer I use actually recommended that I switch from Stihl HP Ultra to Shindaiwa Red Armor. This dealer is highly reputable and said Red Armor was the oil they used back in their repair shop to service 2 cycle and Stihl 4-Mix equipment. Thanks for the video. Keep up the good work. By the way, your video on cleaning Briggs and Stratton plastic carburetors allowed me(along with the help of a neighbor) to resuscitate a Poulan Pro 500 series push mower my brother in law had written off after only one season or less of use. I now have a free lawn mower as an extra as he doesn’t want it back. Thanks Steve!
Grey, also Briggs & Stratton do a fuel additive called fuel fit ( here in UK ) it stops the jets from gumming up.
@@jameswyeth8223 Currently using Stabil to prepare it for winter storage and will burn the gas out of the tank and carburetor before doing so. I'll look into fuel fit though and thanks.
Shaindiawa and echo are super similar two very very good companies they may own eachother im not sure. But both very good.
@@jameswyeth8223red armour fuel treatments the best . Its suoer good.
Jason Egan of Egan Performance Saws says he’s never seen carbon buildup in a saw that’s been running Red Armor… great stuff, and thanks for the great test!
Always a fair assessment of products. My most trusted "go to guy". Go Steve.
Thank You...
The spark arrester surprised me after it cleaned the piston as it did and I have been running Red Armor exclusively for over 4yrs. The carbon from the piston had to pass through that spark arrester on it was out of the engine. My 31yr old Suzuki 2-cycle powered Toro Recycler loves Red Armor.
Hi Steve, that was quite impressive especially the spark arrestor that came up super clean. I suppose with the piston it can’t work miracles but it was definitely a marked improvement. Turned out to be decent stuff which does what it says, even though it was two tanks but all in all I’d give that product a 👍 up. Good video Steve 🙂👍
Right on Luke! Thank You...
Well, just imagine if you used it all the time. I get same results from outboard motor oil.
I use the Red Armor mix in my blower and weed trimmer and chainsaw tool. Never had any problems with them. The best I thank.😊
Right on
Great test, thanks for sharing it with us. I didn't even run the tank of Stihl Ultra that the dealer put in my 500i. Dumped it out and refueled with Red Armor. Very pleased.
Right on
Thank you Steve! I have come to appreciate your channel as the "Encyclopedia Britannica" of small engine repair and maintenance. Thank you so much for sharing this info with us!! Time for a cold one!
You're Welcome...
Ive been using red armor and its great!. All my enginea are clean clean clean now. Runs better than any other oil and it smells good
Hi Steve... I've been repairing mower's and small engines for around 37 years now, not any longer I've retired though arthritis has caught up! anyway, I've had my own mower business and been a golf course manager working on Toro's and John Deere machines to name a few so I have quite a bit of experience in this field, based on that I would like to congratulate you on your educational TH-cam channel I love the way you deliver content and I'm actually learning stuff.
Thank You...
Been telling people this for years. Not only is the detergent great but so is the fuel stabilizer in it and the oil itself is great .
Agreed!
Sad to see the FB page go! Broddi do you run the shack Tube page?
Great work Steve! I have a 12 year old BG 55 that I took the spark screen out of years ago because it alwasy clogged. The Red Armor is good stuff. Been running it for the last year . Worth the extra money.
Right on Jeff! Thank You...
Steve your video on how to clean a bunch of different air filters has helped me learn how to clean the air filter on my lawnmower. Thanks!
Glad to help
Love your "tests". Nice to have a site on the internet that can be trusted! Thank you once again.
Our pleasure!
Steve, I'm using Huskvarna Saws Big to small, Husky XP oil at 50/1, works Fine, I have Also used Marine Two Stroke oil, for Years, Looking in Cylinder, bore scope ,I think it works as well or better. I'm Talking 395XP, Modern Saws X Torque 372 XP All the way Down, Even Vintage Huskies,40 years old. Ran it by a Tech I knew at Baileys I CA. No Worries, 91 O. pump fuel.
Thank you!!! Try the same thing with AMS OIL at 100 to one ! Saber amsoil
I purchased a 1984 MZ 250cc motorcycle brand new. In the first ten or 15 years of ownership I had to burn out the clogged exhaust on a few occasions. Since then I have not had that problem which is probably due to the availability of JASO FC oils. A few years ago the brand of oil I use became JASO FD. Back in 2017 I had to dismantle the engine for the first time to repair the gearbox, odometer was at 128,000km. I was surprized that the piston crown and cylinder head were free of carbon and the piston rings and grooves were in excellent condition.
I have had good luck with the cylinder clearing up, but my spark arrestor clogged and a mps gas torch was unsuccessful at clearing the buildup, after using ECHO Red Armor for a year. Of course my dealer had a quick fix, cut the screen off the spark arrestor, because it is not used in the woods!
Recently I saw the often laughed at can of small engine fix it, on sale! So I bought one. Two tanks on an old FC-44 (bought in 1996) edger that had not been startable for maybe 4 years, yay it goes!
Started running it in my equipment and found the same, much cleaner. Stihl chainsaw went through 3 tanks last week and the screen and plug were spotless. Peeked in the cylinder with the muffler off and it was impressively clean. Local small engine shop recommended Red Armour instead of Stihl oil based on what they see during maintenance and repair and I'm sold on it.
Right on Mikey! Thank You...
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon top notch content Steve, appreciate your work and share it whenever I can, keep it up man.
Thanks for this video Steve! Pretty impressive a simple mix oil cleaned the carbon like it did.
You're Welcome...
ok next thing to try is steam into the air intake.
Coal gasification is the process of producing syngas-a mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), natural gas (CH4), and water vapour (H2O)-from coal and water, air and/or oxygen.
All you need to do is get the engine running without air filter and spray steam into it at a rate that doesnt stall the motor out. ( you can mist water in but its less forgiving) Pistons look like brand new after this treatment. (dont do this too long in a 4 stroke and change oil after this treatment)
Youre welcome and greetings from down under
Interesting. I wonder if any properly mixed tank of fuel would have done the same thing. Could have run that first. If no change, you could have tried the red armor. Hard to experiment with one test specimen (blower). :)
Last guy could have been running a rich oil mix, etc.
Great video Steve - wish you a nice week. Cheers from Sweden!
Hey, Thank you buddy!
Hi Steve. Just heard about Red Amor from a friend. I was as always, skeptical but after watching this video and reading some of the comments I think I will switch over and try it. Now to be clear, I’m using a small Stihl weed trimmer for hours at a time on a private road. The other neighbours that help have larger Stihl and Echo trimmers that help have to stop and clean spark arrestors between tanks. The machines work beautifully full throttle, otherwise, they need TLC. Great video again. Thanks.
You're Welcome...
For decarbonising i like to run 32 : 1 red armour mix . It made a believer outta me few yrs back when i heard from a friend . Have an old blower was getting tired and hard start , ran coupla tanks thru and continues to run like new . I♥️my 620 an 7310🔥
Cool!
Great video buddy. I just got myself some and can't wait to use it. Thx again. Great vid 👌
Thank You...and You're Welcome...
WOW! Tempted to buy a can for myself. I’ve been burnt a few times on spark arrestor a before I figured out what they were and symptoms they emit. I just remove them before I move the machine on.
I run Husky Syn Mix with Regular Gas and Cap full of seafoam in the tank.
I solely use Red Armor Mix Oil, might be a tad bit more expensive however found long ago that it really is superior to other less expensive alternatives. For the amount that you use it only makes sense to go this way in my experience. Cheers.
Thank You...
I switched over to the Red Armor oil about three years ago. I do use premium fuel. In my trimmers. Great demo……..
Thank you!
Cheers, Steve!
I always find your vids informative and engaging. Keep up the good!
Thanks, will do!
The effect is from running it at full throttle to get the engine fully hot and keeping it hot under a full load, you can get better results putting a 1/4 teaspoon of 2 cycle oil in through the plug hole to sit over night to soften the carbon before doing this procedure.
Wrong. Cleans chainsaws the same way of carbon.
I run 50:1 Red Armor in ethanol free gasoline I get from the pump at my local Quick Trip. My equipment is super clean. All of my 2 strokes are muffler modded and tuned. I keep the spark arrestors in to keep junk out. They all start with a couple of pulls with the choke and I tune them for good throttle response and easy starts. With the good fuel and Red Armour all I do is clean air filters and fuel them up and they run good👍
Right on
Now this was cool to see. I guess there is some honesty in the oil business. Well done.
Agreed!
Another great video to watch while I'm quarantined in my basement with the covid, thanks Steve!
Hey Steve before I forget, I was told to use red armor in my echo blower, and Stihl oil mix in my Stihl chainsaw.
Isn't it fun to try something you've been thinking about for years. I might try this. As I use Stihl 2 stroke oil but I have to see what they look like right now. Great video Steve Thanks from Alberta
Right on Bruce!
Great video Steve, thanks so much - I was sceptical about this stuff too, but looks good.
Brilliantly presented, appreciate your time and effort 👍👌👏
Right on Simon! Thank You...
I tore down a 461 engine for portwork and cleaned all the carbon out. New plug, 32-1 red armour. Pulled the plug after 10 tanks, couldn’t barely tell the saw had been run. Nuts.
I wonder if adding seafoam to other oils would have the same results. This is my channel to watch for small engine repairs.
I've Ben using red armor for a wile I like the stuff on saws I tear down it puts a nice coating on all the parts an seems to work great in all my ported saws as well
Cool!
Great video and great experiment.
I’m thinking that the red armor fuel in a can might be even more effective because of the higher octane non ethanol fuel
Great point!
I agree, Red Armor will clean up your two cycle equipment. I have been using it for almost a year, after using that filthy Stihl Ultra for several years. I now do not have to clean black ash from the muffler and front of my saws, anymore. They are clean as a bell. Spark arrestors are also very clean.
Right on
Hi Steve, 35 minutes to use up a full tank times 2. I wonder if your neighbors liked the video as much as I did.
LOL! Good point...
It works well The longer you use it the more carbon it will clean out. I haven't had an issue with clogged spark arrestors or fouled plugs since I started using it. We are a commercial company and go through 5 to 10 gallons a week of 2 cycle gas.
Right on buddy! Thank You...
I use a kitchen chiefs blow torch to clear the spark arresters takes about 3 minutes - and a few gentle taps with a screwdriver . In the past I used a fine brass wire brush. I have to say in Australia the blue sthil 2 stroke seems to be clogging up the spark arrester faster than the shell 2stroke I have switched to. Love ya work Steve 👣🦘🇦🇺🍻
I agree, Echo Red Armor is great oil. I have been running it for almost a year, now, after running that filthy Stihl Ultra oil for quite a few years in all of my two cycle stuff. I run PNE gas at 50:1 with a stabilizer added to the gas. I have had a problem with my Stihl MS 241CM for several years. It did not like to start and liked to flood itself. I finally decided to check the spark arrester after going through all of my other checks. It was completely blocked. I actually had to remove the muffler and cook it in my ultra sonic cleaner before I could get the spark arrester out of it. I burned the spark arrester screen out with my LP torch, cleaned up the muffler and put everything back together. It started on the 3rd pull and ran, normally. Red armor would have probably cleaned it up if I had been able to get it going. It was probably my fault because I do not use my 241, like I should. It is good oil.
Right on
Interesting stuff Steve. Probably best to use it over a period of time with every tank of petrol and that would clear the piston head completely. 👍
Probably!
Thank you for telling me to turn the Pull Starter around so I can Easilly Pull the Starter rope ( in one of your Videos ) this is a New Generator and is alot easier to Start
THANKS alot ....
You are worth at least Five stars if not more
Great to hear!
Thank you again Steve! You provide really great information. I will use Red Armor for a couple tanks intermittently. I like your newly painted Husqvarna orange bench.
You're Welcome...and Thank You...
I have a fair amount of 2 stroke OPE equipment. I've found blowers and trimmers run much better on Red Armor than with Stihl HP2. But can't tell much difference with chainsaws, perhaps it's a RPM thing. I run 3.0 OZ of oil to a gallon at 42.6:1 on everything. One thing is forsure HP2 has a very high flash point for 2 stroke oil.. 432 F.
nice demonstration Steve Iam going to pick up some Red Armor for sure
Right on
I was having problems with my new stihl equipment itwas all from the stihl oil I use red armor past year no issues
Right on
One of the best channels for information
I appreciate that!
Most synthetic oils very little or no carbon build up.
Very expensive oil but worth it.
Nice video.
Thanks
PS: ATF fluid also melts varnish carbon .
Don't run on ATF but you can soak it a few days. Then run
Interesting!
I read of the ATF trick when I was into Honda Civics/CRX's 20+yrs ago. A tablespoon or two down each spark plug hole and let in soak for a day or two. I never tried it though. Supposedly ATF is good for cleaning/restoring plastic engine covers too. I never tried that either, I just remember reading it
Red armour sales are gonna hit an all-time high. Im buying one.
Try it and I think you will be surprised!
real-world test with real-world results. Great video
Thank You...
This is a great test. I think running a full tank with this stuff should be a bi annual preventive maintenance. Awesome 👌 and thank you!
Great point!
I'd love to see the test repeated using a generic 2 cycle oil vs. Red Armor. I do think 70 minutes continuous run time at full throttle affected the carbon more then the oil but who knows?
But blowers pretty much always run at full throttle for long periods.
@@Andyshine77 not the ones I hear.
I have seen on another youtube video by a lady mechanic that Stihl's own 2 cycle oil carbons up the worst out of all brands. Glad that I lost mine that came with my new Stihl chainsaws (dealer threw them in for free since I bought 2 new saws) and I have been using Echo 2 cycle oil instead!
@@Andyshine77 true indeed.
@@joefudd there's several chainsaw builders that says the samething about Stihl HP and the worst was Husky oil. One says go to any motorcycle shop and get a good 2 cycle oil or he runs Lucas and the other runs Motul 800 2t.
Yeah I have to agree with a couple people full throttle is clearing it ,most people don't run them full tilt
love the test ,shows oil really works
Right on
Very impressive Steve. Sadly I've never seen that product here in Australia.
Best mix i ever used. My crap runs better then ever. Stihl mix and Husqvarna is not even close. I love red armour. I use it in race engines for high strung rc 32 cc ported all the way up to 72cc and no scuffing in cylinders it protects and runs clean and dont smell like ass. Ypu have to realize baked on crap on pistons and cylinders is mega tuff to get off even with cleaners so what its doing is great. Imagine in a new engine. Clean for life.
Right on
I see a lot of folks in here had the same sentiment I did. Do a side by side because running full throttle for 35 minutes at a time should clean off the spark arrestor itself. The Red Armor does work well over time to keep an engine and spark arrestor clean.
Luckily I just switched to battery outdoor equipment for my business.. no more carbon issues.
I still have my ts800 cut off saw though. Nothing in cordless that size yet
What brand of battery equipment are you using, what voltage etc? Thank you...
The Makita 36v system. It's great
@@herbertvonsauerkrautunterh2513 oh wow, yes I love the Makita battery tools, I was working as an electrician back in the day when they came out with their cordless drill, it was outstanding...
I bought this 2 years ago and absolutely love it, Makita XCU06T 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless (5.0Ah) 10" Top Handle Chain Saw Kit, the power and the run time shocked me, I want the 14" one now in the 36V, thank you for replying to me...
I run red armor and 93 octane non ethanol gas and every time I check the spark arrestor its clean. Spark plugs last a long time too.
Excellent! Thank You...
Well that was the one good thing that i learned today. Thanks Steve. Who would have thought that it would work that good.
Glad to help
Gee, it's nice when things work they way they are supposed to. Cheers for that presentation. BTW, Stihl do say that, with their oils at least, to run their products flat out to avoid carbon build up. Because this rarely happens, you get carbon build up.
I use this every couple tanks and opti mix 2 as regular go to both excellent products
Right on
I like the comments, I'll try that red armor, my saws set for awhile and then use them, they get plugged up and I rebuild carbs.
Great Vid Steve! It did work well. Cleaning the carbon off the top of the piston isn’t as important as cleaning the spark arrestor screen which literally chokes off the engine.
I agree!
I just ordered some red armor through your Amazon. Thanks for the video
Awesome! Thank you!
Oh yel, thanks for the scope link also Steve I bought one. Never knew they were that cheap. Thanks again man!
Any time!
I agree with Jake C. I would like to see a plug spark arrestor ran with regular fuel mix for 35 minutes straight to see if it’s actually the extended continuous run time or if it’s the actual product doing the cleaning.
Interesting. I use this in my little Toro snowthrower, the 98cc Powerlite. Red Armor reduces the intensity of that 'motorboat' smell by about 80%, by my WAG test methodology. I can peacefully co-exist with a little carbon, but I hate that lingering premix stench once I'm done using the machine.
I would assume it has more to do with the way the test was run rather than the mix oil that was used. Not running it hard will cause it to build the carbon. Running it wide open for that time allowed it to burn off.
Fantastic experiment . Might have to pick some up for our Stihl gear. Ours tend to carbon up the exhaust screens .
Go for it!
Trying it out with the shop gear and home gear . So far no one brought equipment back for starting issues . Home gear running great.
Well am so happy u finally got round to it awesome video Steve. Peace and love from Scotland stu and
Thank You...
I like the Red Armor oil if for no other reason that there’s no confusion as to if I added it to my mix jug. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve second guessed myself with the Stihl synthetic oil and ended up dumping the jug into my car or mower to mix a fresh one.
Agreed! Just bought a new stihl trimmer and the hardware store put some fuel in it and started it before I left. When I got home the fuel in the bubble and tank looked a little too clear. Looked too much like straight gas to me. So better safe than sorry. It probably was some different mix, but it wasn't blue, purple or red, so rather than trust the hardware dude that was just selling plumbing a minute ago, I dumped it in the mower and refilled the trimmer with the mixed fuel I had just made for the chainsaw. Ethanol free and red armor. I do like the color, cause even sometimes I forget if I added the mix already to the gas or not. Lol
That’s very interesting!
I did not know this but have heard of it !
I agree to some degree. It will clean out a partially clogged spark arrester screen but not a fully blocked screen. I have an ms 241 that had been giving me problems for several years burning Stihl Ultra two cycle oil. I changed over to Red Armor two cycle oil earlier this year in all of my two cycle gas. I run PNE gas and mix at 50:1. All of my saws love Red Armor. My 241 CM was still not starting as it should, if at all. I finally pulled the spark arrester screen from it and it was fully blocked with carbon. I burned it off with my LP torch and it now runs fine. It was partially my fault because I do not use my 241, like I should
FWIW, many of the entry level Stihl units (BG-56, FS-38, MS-170 etc.) often have clogged arrestor screens because the operator lets them idle excessively and doesn't get the screen hot. I'd like to see the same experiment with whatever oil, but just running WOT for 35 minutes. You know, just to see if it's the Red Armour or the higher exhaust temps cleaning the spark arrestor.
That is cool! I wonder if the "Red Armor" is just a little 'Marvel Mystery Oil' additive? or if "Marvel Mystery Oil" (it's red in color) would have the same effect. I did notice Stihl 2-stroke oil is made by Castrol Oil Company. Now the Red Armor also has fuel stabilizer in it too, right?
I’ve used Marvel Mystery Oil to clean carbon deposits out of engines, from blowers to cars. It has peppermint oil, which is a very good solvent.
I was using ECHO power blend with 92 non ethanol fuel and it was leaving a powdery deposit inside the carb and plugging the main jet on my 280T only after 3 months. I switched to the Red Armor with 92 non ethanol fuel for a few years now and have had no problems with a dirty carb even after sitting a year. IMHO it DOES work and I have since then started using it in ALL my 2 cycle equipment.
Awesome!
Good video brother.. so it does work.. so say every 10 weeks run it with the petrol and it will be a clean as a whistle
Thank you Steve. My dad always swore by the stuff I guess he's right!
You're Welcome...
I want a pouring spout like that for my gas can. Thanks steve
I miss those gas caps on Stihl, I use husky now just for that reason.
I wonder if letting it idle might clean it better since it would take longer to burn a tank but idling may cause even more carbon buildup. That would be an experiment to try though. Or even pour some of the fuel mix in on top of the piston & let it soak.
I locked up a 10hp briggs when I lost track of what I had added to my fuel. “Slight” overdose of stabil marine and seafoam in the same tank knocked every bit of 25 years worth of carbon off the piston and filled the chamber so full it locked the motor. Popped the head off and shop vac the chamber good as new.
I have to look for some of the Red Armor oil to mix with some fuel and I use pure premium fuel in my 2 cycle machines to make sure they are clean. Thanks Steve for the tip and I hope it works for me also.
Right on Sid!
I use nothing but red armor it's been the best oil I've ever used hands down it's the best
Right on buddy!
I am impressed though that did clean out the carbon some. But alot of run time there to get it fully clean not bad at all. 👍👍👍
Right on