How to mix gas for a leaf blower- the ultimate guide

Are you looking for a reliable guide on mixing gas for your leaf blower? You’re in the right place. Our guide is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to do the job right every time.

Most leaf blowers use gas and oil at 40:1 – 3.2oz per gallon. Check the manual for the correct ratio before mixing in a gas can. Shake well, pour into blower. Use fresh unleaded gas and quality 2-cycle oil. Stale fuel can cause problems, so empty the gas tank when storing. Mixing properly prevents engine damage.

Do you know what 40:1 – 3.2oz per gallon means for your leaf blower? It’s the ideal gas-oil mix ratio for most leaf blowers. Learn why this ratio is essential and how deviating from it can cause engine damage. Keep reading to master the art of mixing gas for your leaf blower.

What is the Industry Standard?

Typically, all gas leaf blowers are designed to use a gas-to-oil mixture ratio of 40:1. Technically, that would translate from about 3.2 ounces of two-cycle engine oil to about one gallon of gas.

The two-cycle is because most gas blowers are designed to have a two-cycle engine, which requires the gas or oil mixture for the engine to stay lubricated.

When mixing, it is essential for you not to mix regular engine oil in the mixture because it is too thick, and high viscosity can cause additional machine problems.

Mixing Gas and Oil

Once you have figured out the ratios, you can take your gas can to the gas station to fill it up. Make sure you only use fresh gas when you want to refill your blower. When you’ve filled up about a gallon of gas in your can, pour in the oil and mix it around correctly.

No unique technique is required for mixing it; close the gas cap can and shake it for a few seconds, and you are ready. It is always better to overestimate the amount of oil you add to your gas rather than not having enough.

However, try to get the proper ratio and note that the engine will run better with more oil mixed in rather than less. If you are unsure about the exact ratio for your leaf blower, you may check the owner’s manual for more information.

You can also use regular unleaded gasoline for the mixture, but it won’t cost too much if you upgrade to the premium grade. The more expensive and quality gas will probably help your engine run more smoothly than others.

The Two-Stroke Engine VS. The Four-Stroke Engine

If you own a blower that uses a two-stroke engine leaf blower, then there are certain things that you need to face as an owner of that particular piece of equipment. This includes learning how to mix gas oil for your leaf blower.

Indeed, you can always buy a bottle of pre-mixed gas every time you need to run your blower (well, that’s if you can handle the costs), but the costs of doing that will add up more quickly than when you decide to do your recipe.

Tips when preparing your mix: To get your leaf blower running the best way, you only need to get a high-quality regular gas and gas oil for your leaf blower. You’re good to go once you have the right gas-oil mix.

• Identifying Your Engine Type: Two-Stroke or Four-Stroke?

There are sure gas leaf blowers that come with a four-stroke engine; for those kinds, you don’t need to mix oil with the gas. Instead, you can top it up with straight gas every time you need it, and you are set to go.

If you are unsure what kind of engine you have, you should most likely consult your owner’s manual. Taking the time to read the contents of your user manual will allow you to learn a lot of vital information about your equipment.

The right fuel or gas-oil mix for a leaf blower requires specific equipment starting and running procedures. Remember, the ideal gas-oil mix for a leaf blower is crucial for the health of the cylinder in your engine.

• Identifying Signs of an Incorrect Fuel Mix

Always look for signs that your mix is off, like excessive smoke or poor performance. When you’re done using your backpack leaf blower, remember to dry it off and follow the proper storing procedures to ensure it’s ready for subsequent use.

But it is still of great surprise that many manufacturers still stick to the two-stroke engines despite their lower fuel efficiency, the added noise, and the need to mix gas and oil to get them running. This is because the two-stroke engines still have advantages over the four-stroke ones.

The first and most important factor is that two-stroke engines have elementary mechanisms compared to four-stroke engines, and they offer an excellent weight-to-performance ratio compared to the latter.

• Cost-Effectiveness of Two-Stroke Motors

Two-stroke motors are also a lot less expensive to manufacture than four-stroke engines when it comes to cost. Two-stroke engines are pretty light and straightforward, somewhat due to the lack of the dedicated oil lubrication system that a four-stroke engine often has.

That is why it is necessary to add oil to the gas for two-stroke motors in the first place. This same oil circulates throughout the entire motor system to lubricate and protect the engine’s moving parts and other components, such as the fuel lines and valves.

How to Mix Gas for a Leaf Blower

When setting the perfect gas and oil mix for your gas leaf blower, the primary step is to get the right mix. Getting the correct ratio of gas and the right type of oil will cause your engine to keep running smoothly for a long time. 

If the gas is too much, then you may run at the risk of not getting enough oil running through the system, and this may lead to premature wear and damage to the moving parts of the engine – and that’s if it was able to start in the first place despite the improper mix.

On the other hand, too much oil will lead to the engine burning up the excess of that oil, which comes out as excess smoke.

• Importance of Regular Unleaded Gasoline for Leaf Blowers

Aside from the breathing hazard of having the gas leaf blower emit too much smoke, the excess oil also tends to foul up your spark plugs prematurely and your other components, such as your reed valves and fuel lines.

Many leaf blower manufacturers recommend regular unleaded gasoline for their products. Most also endorse 87 octane gas or up, with an ethanol mixture of 10% or less.

Ethanol-improved gasoline mixed with 10% ethanol is usually known as E10, while ethanol-enhanced petrol blended with 15% ethanol is known as E15.

Also, try to use only the correct type of gas the manufacturer recommends because most of them calibrate their products for a specific fuel type and try other fuels. You may risk shortening the useful life of your gas leaf blower.

• The Risks of Using High Ethanol Fuel in Leaf Blowers

For instance, gas with too much ethanol in it may cause your engine to perform poorly or erratically, and that’s if it switches on at all. Never place a high ethanol fuel such as E85 in your leaf blower – the same applies to diesel fuels.

Fresh gasoline ensures that your leaf blower runs at its maximum level. When ethanol is added to ethanol-enhanced fuels, they tend to attract water. Over time, this can cause stale gas to form separate gasoline, ethanol, and water layers in the container.

If that water layer can get into your engine, it may fail to start. Some manufacturers may also recommend certain two-cycle engine oils for their motors. There are different types of two-cycle oils, so always pick the one specifically designed for your motor.

• The Role of Fuel Stabilizers in Leaf Blower Performance

Consider adding the appropriate fuel stabilizer to your mix to keep your gas leaf blower running at its best. Since many manufacturers continue improving their two-stroke engine models, the ratio has decreased over the past years.

Usually, older models call for a richer mix of 32 gas for every oil unit. However, newer and more modern motors can now function optimally with a ratio of 40 to 1, 50 to 1, or even less. This is a good thing since the two-cycle engine oil can be a bit expensive.

The Normal Oil-to-Gas Ratio

The most general issues regarding gas leaf blowers not coming on or refusing to start are often related to improper fuel mixes and stale fuel.

That is the main reason you need to get your ratio right because not only will it extend the life of your equipment, but you will also be able to use it in the first place. So, reviewing the correct oil-to-gas ratio you need to put together is always a good idea before mixing.

For the specific model of leaf blower you are using. You can check the user manual for information about the correct ratio. Some manufacturers also place the right ratio on the fuel tank of the leaf blower or inside the fuel cap to make things easier for the user.

• Calculating the Oil-to-Gas Ratio for a 20:1 Mix

One easy way to get the right oil-to-gas ratio for your leaf blower is to use your gas container as your reference, then work out your way from there now if you have a gallon container of fresh, regular unleaded gasoline.

You will be able to know just how many ounces of two-cycle oil you will need for that batch. Also, making your mix in the gas container allows you to put on a self-venting spout for easy refills, and it also lets you seal the mixture securely later so that air and humidity do not get to it.

According to the one US gallon container of gas (equal to 128 US fluid ounces), you will need 6.4 ounces of oil to achieve a 20 to 1 mix. To get a 30 to 1 mix for the same container will require about 4.3 ounces of oil.

• Understanding the 32-to-1 Oil-to-Gas Ratio

It is pretty easy for a 32-to-1 recipe to figure out – that means that you will need exactly 4 ounces of oil for every gallon of gas added. Usually, the 40 to 1 ratio is one of the most common ratios for two-cycle engines present on the market today.

To get that ratio from one gallon of your gas, you will need to add precisely 3.2 ounces of oil. On the other hand, for a 45 to 1 ratio, you will need 2.8 ounces of oil. The 50 to 1 ratio is another standard ratio recommended for many new leaf blower models.

To achieve the correct 50 to 1 mix, you will need to add 2.6 ounces of oil to a gallon of gas. A 60 to 1 mix ratio requires 2.1 ounces of oil for the same gallon, while an 80 to 1 mix requires just 1.6 ounces.

• The Metric System for Measuring Oil-to-Gas Ratio

However, if you still prefer the metric way of measuring things, you will work with liters as your standard. You will find the 5-liter container equivalent to about 1¼ gallons of gas for a typical gas can.

Getting a 20:1 ratio with a 5-liter can of gas is quite simple- you will need about 250 ml or 1/4 liter of oil for the whole container. To get a 30 to 1 ratio, you must add 167 ml of oil to the gas. Then, for a 32 to 1 mix, you will need 156 ml of oil.

– How to Measure the 40:1 Ratio in Liters

The typical 40 to 1 ratio is also easy to compute in liters. You will need just ⅛ of a liter or 125 ml of oil for every 5 liters of gas. A 45:1 ratio, on the other hand, requires 111 ml of oil. The frequently used 50 to 1 ratio, another familiar mix type, is also quickly done with liters.

All you need to do is measure 100 ml, or 1/10 of a liter of oil, for every 5 liters of gas. Finally, a 60 to 1 mix requires 83 ml of oil, while an 80 to 1 mix needs just 63 ml. It can’t get easier than this; you only need to find the ratio that best fits your equipment.

Gas Container Sizes

Since you have the recipe for your leaf blower figured out, it is also a good idea to note it down for future reference – you can scribble it on a convenient spot on your leaf blower if needed.

In addition, if you base it around the basic one-gallon or 5-liter gas containers, it becomes simple to scale it up for larger gas container sizes.

For containers that come in gallons, you can put together 2 gallons, 2.5 gallons, and 5-gallon cans alongside your typical 1-gallon container. For metric consumers, you can also find 10-liter and 20-liter gas cans in addition to the basic 5-liter unit.

Therefore, as you scale up to these larger gas container sizes, you must multiply the oil needed in your recipe accordingly.

If your 32 to 1 mix requires 4 ounces of oil for a gallon container, you must add 8 ounces to a 2-gallon gas container, and you’re good to go. You can find suitable gas containers here.

Some Manufacturer’s Gas to Oil Ratios

Some manufacturers use the same lines of two-cycle engines for their products, so they may try to attach one or two gas-to-oil ratio sanctions for their models.

You should continually check with the user manual for the proper mix for your leaf blower, even if you previously held a similar leaf blower from the same manufacturer. Below are some manufacturers and their oil-to-gas ratios.

• Craftsman leaf blowers

Often, use two-cycle engine oil with every equipment purchase. Most models from this brand use a 40 to 1 gas to-oil mix so you will need 3.2 ounces of that oil per US gallon of gas.

• Ryobi leaf blowers

They have come a long way from their previous models that necessitate a rich 32 to 1 ratio. Most of their recent models use a 50 to 1 fuel mix, just 2.6 ounces of oil per gallon.

• Husqvarna

Another brand, well-regarded for its gas-powered leaf blowers, also recommends a 40-to-1 mix for many of its models.

The manufacturers recommend 3.2 ounces of McCulloch oil for every gallon of gas, and they also offer the oil in pre-measured 3.2-ounce containers. All you need to do is open it and pour it in.

• Poulan Pro Tools

Another manufacturer, well regarded for their line of leaf blowers, trimmers, and chainsaws, also recommends a 40 to 1 gas-to-oil ratio for their two-cycle products. They also recommend using 87 octanes of regular unleaded gasoline for their leaf blower.

• Troy-Bilt

A different manufacturer that makes a wide range of two-stroke gardening tools also endorses a 40 to 1 ratio for the models they produced after 2003. That makes about 3.2 ounces of two-cycle oil for every gallon of gas.

They also recommend a 32 to 1 ratio for their handheld models released in 2002 and earlier.

• Makita

The newest gas leaf blowers drive calm on the environs with the 50 to 1 mix they endorse for their two-stroke engine tools.

The manufacturer also recommends that owners only use their two-cycle engine oil with premium unleaded gasoline, which is well mixed at a 50 to 1 ratio.

-Makita’s Gas to Oil Ratio

This means that for every 5 liters of gas, 1/10 liter of oil should be used. However, many of Makita’s newer models are of the four-stroke variety.

So, if you have one of these four-stroke motors, a straight premium unleaded gas is all you need to fuel it up and run correctly.

What Happens if I Don’t Mix Gas with Oil?

When you do not mix gas with oil, or if the mixture is done wrongly, you will quickly realize that there is a problem with your leaf blower.

It will only take a flash before the leaf blower begins to malfunction. First, it starts with a horrendous noise and then shuts down completely without coming back on.

If this occurs, you may take the leaf blower to a professional for repair. However, the repair fees may cost so much that it is just worth buying a brand-new leaf blower instead.

So always ensure that you mix gas with oil when using a two-stroke engine and do it in the right proportion.

Other Things You Should Know

Aside from mixing gas with oil, another thing that can cause damage to your leaf blower may be poor maintenance and handling. If you are done using your blower, know you won’t be using it for a long time. Then, empty the gas tank and seal it tightly with the cover.

You leave the gas/oil mix in the tank and allow it to remain lengthy, which can get more viscous and cause additional problems. Also, one thing to pay attention to is how you mix your gas and oil. Always shake your gas/oil mixture before you put it in the leaf blower.

This is because the oil will separate from the gas, especially when it sits and remains for a certain period, so you must ensure it is well mixed before introducing it into the blower.

• Proper Disposal of Unused Oil-Gas Mixture

Lastly, if you come to a point in the year where you know that you won’t need the oil-gas mixture for a while, then you should dispose of the unused mixture to avoid other issues.

It needs a fresh gas and oil supply to keep your leaf blower running correctly over time. This will enable you to get the best out of your leaf blower. We always emphasize the importance of safety when carrying out any operation. So, always apply caution when using or mixing gasoline with other substances.

• Safe Practices for Filling Gas Cans

Remove any child or flammable objects from the area before beginning your work. Don’t forget to use work gloves and a proper container while handling gasoline.

When filling up your gas cans, ensure that the can is on the ground and not in the bed of a truck. Some vehicle fires sometimes occur when people fill metal gas cans while they are placed on plastic surfaces. Gasoline also carries a static electric charge, which can gradually build up on the can as it is filled.

If the can sits on concrete or the ground, the static charge can safely flow away without causing harm. Safety first, safety always.