Breaking in new auger

I had the opportunity to buy a very nice new auger today. The auger is a strikemaster lazer mag xpress that is probably 8 to 10 years old but it was never used and the box was still stapled collecting webs.
The auger has a black handle but no decompression, nor primer button . I will upload pictures later.

While researching, found that even though the label on the tank say 24:1 fuel oil ratio, it’s actually 40:1 because strikemaster had changed it. So tempted to try it, I bought a fresh bottle of trufuel 40:1 and it started up and ran great.
I just wanted hear everyone’s opinion on the fuel ratio before I do any breaking in on the motor. I have used 50:1 amsoil sabre for my solo and has not had any issues, but the tecumseh motor I heard runs lean and is a little different.

Just look at the exhaust if its dripping oil go leaner if not stay the same. That is a great motor I have regrets about selling my.

brad-o wrote:

Just look at the exhaust if its dripping oil go leaner if not stay the same. That is a great motor I have regrets about selling my.

I will most likely run 50:1, but just focusing on the break in peroid for now. I do see a slightly dark oil from one of the exhaust screws though.

Do not worry about it, just run one tank of that trufuel and keep on using it. OR I have the same motor on my Strikemaster and use Amsoil Sabar at 100:1 and have no problems. Like said above if it smokes a lot and leaks black gue its to rich and lean it out.

That trufuel mix will work well for you and keep your auger running without gumming up for years to come

Kent
That is a great motor. If it was me for breaking in purposes I would run the 24:1 ratio and then next season run the Saber or other products. Get a good break in first then lean it out. But that is me. Less risk of possible under lubrication. I will say it would be a small risk but you have a great motor why take a chance.
Good luck in what ever you do.
Bob

Thanks, everyone. … this is what it looks like after 5 mins of running it. I think I will run the rest of the trufuel and see how that turns out. Does anyone have an idea of when this auger was made. It would be nice to just know.

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Guessing early 2000’s.

That motor is a work horse. I have the same motor, but from the mid 80’s. Still runs…though now a little worn out. I have 10’s of thousands of holes drilled with mine. I think the original suggest break in was double the oil for the first tank and vary the rpms. Mine went through the ice a couple times, sat under water, used in summer for earth auger, and still just would never die. Mine liked an oil ratio of about 32:1 any heavier and oil dripped through the exhaust. New plug every other year and that was it.

ken
I have the same motor but with the decompression button. I don’t like it. It starts hard takes awhile to warm up. Couple years ago my brother wanted to buy his first auger but did not want to spend a lot of money so I found a used auger with the same motor as yours and I was blown away on how well it started one pull maybe two. And a brief warm up and stand back the Laser is drilling.

So I recently went out and bought a used power head with the same motor as yours. If you ever want to sell it please contact me. (But some how I think I wont hear from you cause your gonna like it)

Thanks
Bob

benelli-bob wrote:

ken
I have the same motor but with the decompression button. I don’t like it. It starts hard takes awhile to warm up. Couple years ago my brother wanted to buy his first auger but did not want to spend a lot of money so I found a used auger with the same motor as yours and I was blown away on how well it started one pull maybe two. And a brief warm up and stand back the Laser is drilling.

So I recently went out and bought a used power head with the same motor as yours. If you ever want to sell it please contact me. (But some how I think I wont hear from you cause your gonna like it)

Thanks
Bob

Hehe, thanks Bob… I have had enough experience with the newer technology which sucks so that’s why I’m going backwards. This one is simple but works well. You are right about the starting part. It takes little effort to get it to start. I do have more than one auger using this one as my backup on long distant trips. Since it’s still new i will be using it more this year.

I have the same which was purchased in 2006. Mine has the compression release which I like and doesn’t have the primer bulb which surprises me.I know they did change the ratio but mine said go with 40:1 which I did to keep with the warranty but it did have oil run out the exhaust. The next year I switched to amsoil sabre pro at 75.1 ratio and it runs better now without the smoke or oil in the exhaust. Needs some warm up time and the first start of the day takes about 9-10 pulls but after that it goes on 1st or 2nd pull. Super cutter and I may break down and get a new spark plug this yest.