A Screening Tool for Outboard Motor Fuels and Lubricants

Multicylinder 2-cycle, water-cooled outboard motors were modified to allow testing of up to three different fuel-oil blends simultaneously. A special “floating laboratory” test barge was designed and constructed for operation of the outboards. Engine protection and metering facilities were provided in the control room on the barge. Repeatability studies were then carried out to determine the precision of the test using multiple references in four outboard motors. Results indicated that a high degree of precision was attainable. Some results from fuel and lubricant evaluations, which followed, are included.