engines

[ukprometheus]

quick question

Do the 4 stroke engines seem any more reliable than a 2 stroke ???

[Max...]

Cannot comment on statistics but a 2 stroke (maintained) is not exactly unreliable. Not a reason to base the 2 vs 4 stroke decision on TBH IMHO.

[ukprometheus]

Just interested to see people's thoughts

[Turbodiesel]

Yes!!

[ukprometheus]

I was thinking that was Likely to be the case, slightly more heavy but a lot more reliable

[chewy]

I'd have thought alot was to do with maintenance.....

[Festinghouse]

much much more to go wrong on 4stroke - sensors etc. if by reliable you mean easier to start then i would say yes.

[ukprometheus]

I have had bad expierience with older outboards in the past which is why I asked the question, I want to pull the cord and it start no hassle.

[captnjack]

Hard to find 4 stroke outboards of the ages that the remaining 2 strokes are. But 4 strokes have been quite common and reliable as I/O stern drives for decades. The bellows seem to be the weakest link and 4 stroke outboards don't have those. High performance high pressure injection 2 strokes have planty to go wrong with them too so its not a simple comparison to make.

In small pull start sizes I would say the biggest weak link is the carburator getting gunked up and both 2 and 4 stroke models would be equally susceptible.

[ukprometheus]

I used to have an old blue band mercury years ago and I spent a fortune try to get that pain in the arse to run right and it left a sour taste in my mouth with outboards.

[SPR]

Originally Posted by ukprometheus

I used to have an old blue band mercury years ago and I spent a fortune try to get that pain in the arse to run right and it left a sour taste in my mouth with outboards.

I watch somebody paddling a boat in, with one of those.

they said it was working fine, then suddenly stopped...been out 2 days and switch to second tank of fuel they just filled....

I asked them, all the normal questions- I then said have you checked the two stroke oil - they said it was a 4 stroke and pointed out the 4 Cylinder sticker....I was puzzled it looked an old engine to be s 4 Stroke! I asked them to remove the engine cover so we could check to see if there was a sump and dip stick....on doing that I confirm it was a 2 stroke and they ceased engine!

s.

[ukprometheus]

I used to find that again with my blueband it would run fine then just stop for no reason and refuse to start then a couple of hours later it would start up straight away no issue.
But at least i knew it was a 2 stroke

[ukprometheus]

I think the best combination for a boat has to be inboard diesel and a stern drive or jet drive for reliability and economy, one day perhaps

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by ukprometheus

I used to have an old blue band mercury years ago and I spent a fortune try to get that pain in the arse to run right and it left a sour taste in my mouth with outboards.

Do you have any experience of other outboards since?

[ukprometheus]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Do you have any experience of other outboards since?

Not really i kind off got fed up with the whole idea of boats after im hoping to have better luck this time round once the weather warms up

[Downhilldai]

Don't let an old blueband put you off 2-strokes or outboards in general. They've come on a bit since then, but with progress, comes technology and with technology, you lose simplicity and easily-repairability, so there's always an element of risk in 'modern' technology.

[ukprometheus]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Don't let an old blueband put you off 2-strokes or outboards in general. They've come on a bit since then, but with progress, comes technology and with technology, you lose simplicity and easily-repairability, so there's always an element of risk in 'modern' technology.

thanks fella im hoping 2012 is a new start for me the small quicksilver and honda engine i have bought is hopefully a taster for the summer and if all goes we i will move onto something a little more interesting next year

[Downhilldai]

Nice one! Always good to have a plan, especially if it involves a bigger engine.

[ukprometheus]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Nice one! Always good to have a plan, especially if it involves a bigger engine.

thats if the wife will let me

[Downhilldai]

Probably best not to bother her too much with the detail.....