Kerosene Outboards

[eminyan]

To-day I saw a Yamaha 25HP kerosene powered outboard in a service shop. I didn't realise they were available.<br />What do you think of them? Would it be possible to convert a conventional 50:1 petroil outboard to run on kerosene?<br />Thanks and regards<br />Maurice

 

[Ross J]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

Hi Maurice, <br />check out the post "Have Evinrude with kerosene label on it" April 19th 2002<br />Ross

 

[eminyan]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

Hi Ross J<br />That was very informative.<br />So you reckon if I double up the head gaskets on a Johnson 115HP V4 it will work without any problems? Or perhaps a Johnson 15HP.<br />What about the power, will it remain the same or should I expect a reduction?<br />Do you mix the oil with the kerosene in the usual manner and keep a small tank with petroil mix for starting only?<br />In the postings it was suggested that you run it on kerosene without oil. Surely this can't be possible. I'm really interested in this.Over here in Malta kerosone is ridiculously cheap at 12c per litre as against 39c per litre for leaded petrol.<br />Regards<br />Maurice

 

[dhammann]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

I never tried to run kerosene in an outboard but I have ran it in a 5.0 litre 1983 Ford pickup, lawn mowers and tractors. You have got my curiosity up, I think I'll go experiment on my 2 cycle weed trimmer!!<br />PS....This is a much safer alternative than carrying an emergency can of gasoline

 

[Ross J]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

Hi Maurice, I have only run them on kerosene, I have no way to change anyway. You do need to change the spark plug but it would be a different plug for your motor. Check with your supplier. Otherwise everything should work fine. You say you're in Malta, I guess it's pretty warm over there so I wouldn't expect any starting problem.<br />Ross<br />PS - I couldn't say about the power as I havn't made comparisons. The lower power outboards don't seem to loose any. Thats up to 15hp but I couldn't say with the bigger as I haven't made any changes for them. The last one I worked on was a few years ago.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

Hey Big Dee, I didn't know it worked for 4 strokes....<br />Ross

 

[eminyan]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

Hi Ross,<br />It certainly get warm here especially in summer.<br />So if I got it right, with a hotter plug I needn't hook up a separate tank for the petroil mix. Doubling up the head gaskets is all that's needed. It's certainly worth giving it a try. Over here with our petrol prices running a big two stroke costs an arm and a leg!<br />Regards<br />Maurice

 

[dhammann]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

It works well on 4 strokes but the engine has to be warm to get it started. On my tractor I let it run completey out (or drain the float bowl)when finished. I start a cold engine with a little gas then top off with kero....cannot tell the difference in performance. You would be suprised to know what all will burn in an internal combustion engine!!

 

[eminyan]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

Hi Big Dee,<br />In fact thinking about it now, many years back I had done some experimenting with a VW Beetle. Never did run it on 100% kerosene though. The pinking caused by piston knock got too bad above a certain %<br />If this is rectified by reducing the compression, do you reckon there could be any adverse effects in the long term on a 4 stroke marine engine such as for example the 5.7 GM as used by Mercruiser and Volvo? <br />Regards<br />Maurice

 

[Newhook]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

Here's one for you:<br /><br />There was an old city bus (1960's) that trvelled across Canada last year raising awairness for environmental isues that burned kitchen oil scrounged from all of the restaurants on the way. They'd run it through a cloth in a funnel into the fuel tank and off they'd go. Made the papers across Canada.<br /><br />They came up with the idea after resorting succcessfully to olive oil as fuel in their deisel powered sailboat while travelling in remote European waters.<br /><br />(Do not try this at home)

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

Maurice -- In my college days I once ran my VW on some Kentucky bourbon, and even on some bourbon that I had, shall we say, recycled. In truth, though, it was probably running in spite of the additives and there was just enough 25 or 30cent/gal gas left to get me home. <br /><br />I have a couple of old Mercedes diesels that can run on a kerosene mix in a pinch, and I think kerosene is sometimes used to thin diesel oil during the winter in colder climates.<br /><br />But I would have to be convinced that running kerosene in the old Evinrude wouldn't cause some problems.

 

[dhammann]

Re: Kerosene Outboards

Maurice... I believe it is possible on the carbureated engines with some modifications such as a small gas starting tank and switch over valve. Compression would have to belower and possibly valve timing or camshaft would need to altered (truck engine camshaft). The trade-off would be a lower revving engine.