different old fuel debate

[trueblue]

A different debate - need to determine the best of 2 bad scenarios

I need to know whether to purchase a 2 stroke or a 4 stroke for a certain application, based on available fuel. (50 HP)

the boat is for commercial use overseas, and the available fuel will be in drums that are up to a year old, stored in a high temperature environment.

So, knowing that outboards prefer fresh fuel...

Would a direct oil injection but basic 2 stroke, or a 4 stroke be the best option?

Cost of engine doesn't matter.
Fuel efficiency does not matter
Servicing costs do not matter

Engine will be serviced by a qualified diesel mechanic, (ie, not an outboard engine specialist)

I was going to go with the 2 stroke, but copped some flak by people suggesting that I was mad to purchase a 2 stroke in this day and age.

Would appreciate qualified opinions

cheers

Mick

[TimiBoy]

Sounds to me like it will also be an unregulated environment. Thus a dirty old 2 stroke might not be an issue from that perspective.

The only reason they are "dirty" is because a rampant bunch of twits have decided that the exhaust is poison on a genocidal scale. I wouldn't give two hoots about using one for the pollution issue because it is not an issue.

Sounds like you only have to decide on the basis of reliability and access to parts.

Cheers,

Tim

[Noelm]

don't think any new tech engine will be immune to old fuel, also remember that fuel with no oil mixed will last for ages, I guess as Timi has mentioned, an "old tech" 2 stroke may be best motor for you, easy to play about with if something does go belly up also. To say you are mad to buy a 2 stroke in this day and age is also bull dust!

[Scott nthQld]

I agree with tim, a good old 2 stroke would be my pick, less parts to worry about for the mechanic, easier to fix yourself if you do have fuel issues, and parts would be a relatively non issue, there are that many 2 strokes around and many parts are interchangeable.

In this instance a good old, reliable carby 2 stroke would be the go.

i know you said it was a non issue, but in that size the difference in fuel economy between a 2str and 4 isn't significant enough to worry about

[Chimo]

Better is an old style 2 stroke but best could be a diesel outboard in the long run.
or even a BRP E tec Multi Fuel job

Cheers
Chimo

PS http://members.ozemail.com.au/~minards/news.html

[FNQCairns]

I will go against the flow somewhat and and say the best will be a 4st but one with a carb/s from an all round robust point of view.

Second will be a fuel injected non lean burn technology 4st. (one with a large cubic capacity for output would be grouse)

Lastly the lean burn technology 4st's, dfi 2st and the old tech 2st engines all wrapped up together in a tangle one could argue technical ticks over till the cows come home.

cheers fnq

[Jeremy]

just a word from a non expert - will your mechanic have access to a laptop computer and software? If not, EFI and computer chip technology may not be the best option.
Jeremy

[garman1]

2 stroke/ carb model/ make sure you have a repair manual for your engine, so the mechanic has a heads up on how to pull it apart and what to expect etc........ I wouldn't touch anything that involves computer chips and hi tech wizardry in your situation.

Fuel up with premium unleaded to start with, so by the time you get to use it, (allowing for any losses due to sitting) you will have the highest octane rating you can hope for.

There is a product that has been mentioned on here before to "help" with fuel that has been standing for a while, it might be worth while having with you. I think it may come from supercheap etc??????But don't know the name.

Fuel filter(s) with a water separator bowl on the bottom would be an essential bit of gear I reckon in your situation too.

Basic spares for the engine too...plugs, oil, gearbox seals, impeller etc....things that could be a pain if you couldn't get em quickly.

[GBC]

Carby 4 stroke for me, followed closely by a carby 2 stroke.

We had the carby honda 50 and that ran faultlessly.
Got a carby 8hp 2 stroke under the house that runs on 12 mths+ old premix unleaded and never farts.

[tunaticer]

I suppose the question that should be asked first is what octane rating is the fuel you will have access to?? It may not be near our octane ratings therefore either too volatile or too slow. That in itself would be a worst case scenario for a modern 4st with computer controllers.

Stinky old two strokes will diegest most fuels as a rule if they are carb motors, DI motors i do not have any knowlege on though.

[Horse]

I would go 2 St Carby model and if in doubt use something like the OMC fuel conditioner

[Spaniard_King]

Trueblue,

The Honda EFI 50 is a very simple engine, fuel management will handle the crap fuel to the point where the fuel will not run in any outboard. The filtration is second to none and easy to maintain (carby engines will at sometime need an overhaul, fuel injectors wont) Water is easily removed from the EFI where as it wont be easy to remove from carbies.

Best bet would be to check on the ease of maintaining each particular engine!