Exol Optima fully synth 2T oil and sticky rings

[Knowledge]

I've used this oil for a couple of years and it seems to offer great value and protection, but twice now I have experienced very sticky rings, especially the lower ring.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

[Tractorman]

Yes, I used it for a while and found this and in the crankcase. I have gone on to another make that appears to be better.

[Captain Pugwash]

It's likely that's cussed by not getting the engine hot enough for that oil, I had the same problem when I rode to s couple of euro rallies with slower scooters the engine never ran as hot as it would on my own and the bottom ring tended to gum up on my usual choice of two stroke.
Putting a semi synthetic oil in such as shells VSX stopped this happening.

[coaster]

As a matter of interest, what would be the symptoms of a gummed up ring (why does that sound like a medical condition?) and would excessive smoking also ensue?

[Knowledge]

When both rings were gummed in, the performance dropped off. When one ring was gummed, it was most noticable when kicking the engine over, when there was less compression.

[MK Monty]

I had the same on the last 3 pistons but was using Rock FS so I have just changed to E.... Mine have always been bottom ring close to the peg. lost a few MPH and gone looking for reasons, had plating off the Muggy barrel last time and it was stuck in the ring as well. I put it down to Lambrettas

[gaz_powell]

I use the Exol Semi Synthetic and experienced gummed rings on my P2 (to be honest i put it down to the bore/piston clearance) its a autisa barrel which are known to be soft and had a few hard miles on it since it was bored at 4 thou clearance.
Thats been rebuilt with new rings but only ben round the block since.

Having stripped both my TS1 top ends to check there was nothing untoward - rings were loose and nicasil fine - so it went back together with new rings.

Gaz

[MickYork]

I use the fully synthetic (along with 2 mates) on my Avanti and not had any problems. Did a strip down over winter and the piston and rings were fine, with the barrel having a nice oily feel to it. I run at 2%.....ish. Most of my miles are rally going so the scoot is generally used at the higher rev range.