# 2 cycle oil--how do I know if it is there?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-cycle-oil-how-do-i-know-if-it-is-there/2766>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 7, 2007, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-cycle-oil-how-do-i-know-if-it-is-there/2766 "2007-08-07T20:17:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@Sandra](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sandra)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2007, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-cycle-oil-how-do-i-know-if-it-is-there/2766/1 "2007-08-07T20:17:37Z")

</div>

Hopefully, this will be quick. My husband mixed up the gas cans between the snow blower and the boat. One has 2 cycle oil and one might not but now he isn’t sure. How can I tell which one has the oil? Pour it in a glass and look for? HELP

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jayjayp47](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayjayp47/32/98_2.png) [@jayjayp47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayjayp47)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-cycle-oil-how-do-i-know-if-it-is-there/2766/2 "2007-08-07T20:42:16Z")

</div>

2-cycle oil usually has color to it (red, green, etc.) If you have the oil, you can determine the color easily. The gas w the oil should be readily apparent from the color.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-cycle-oil-how-do-i-know-if-it-is-there/2766/3 "2007-08-07T20:42:26Z")

</div>

The 2 cycle oil gas mix should be darker than the regular gas.

Ed B.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-cycle-oil-how-do-i-know-if-it-is-there/2766/4 "2007-08-07T21:53:55Z")

</div>

Yes, pour them in two different glass containers and compare. The oil mix will be darker. Good luck! Rocketman

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2007, 4:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-cycle-oil-how-do-i-know-if-it-is-there/2766/5 "2007-08-08T04:19:27Z")

</div>

Most (but not all) 2-cycle oil is dyed dark blue or green. Pure gasoline is almost clear.

If all else fails, allow some to evaporate on a flat dish. The oil will not evaporate.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@Sandra](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sandra)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2007, 1:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-cycle-oil-how-do-i-know-if-it-is-there/2766/6 "2007-08-08T13:14:17Z")

</div>

THANK YOU ALL! I will look for the darker one!