Re: diffrence between 2 stroke and 4 stroke? for science project
Howdy, boatman03.<br /><br />Wow!

I could write a book on this one, but let me give you a few basics and then you can ask questions.<br /><br />Similarities: <br />* They all mount to the transom of a boat, "outboard" of the hull.<br />* They all drive a propeller or "jet" pump which is submerged in the water.<br />* There are a very few that burn Diesel fuel or Jet fuel, but the rest all burn gasoline.<br />* They are mostly self contained. Most require seperate fuel tanks and external batteries and controls, but some include their own fuel tanks and starting mechanism and require no external controls at all.<br /><br />Two stroke engines: There is not just one type of 2 stroke engine, there are several and they differ from each other in performance and efficiency as much as they differ from 4 stroke engines.<br />* A few are air cooled, the rest are water cooled.<br />* Many use carburetors and fuel that is mixed with oil. Some use carburetors and supply the fuel and oil seperately. These "carbureted" engines are the lightest and least expensive for their power of all outboards. They are also the noisyest, least efficient, simplest to service and the worst polluters.<br />* Some inject fuel and oil into the crankcase.<br />* Some inject oil into the crankcase but inject fuel under computer control directly into the cylinders. These are called DFI (Direct Fuel Injection) engines, and they are the most efficient, quietest and cleanest burning 2 stroke engines in the world.<br /><br />Four stroke engines:<br />* Because they require a camshaft and a valve train, as well as an oil sump and pump, 4 stroke engines are typically bigger and heavier than similar power 2 strokes.<br />* Some 4 strokes use carburetors to supply fuel to the engine. <br />* Most of the larger 4 stroke outboards use computer controlled electronic fuel injection (EFI) and ignition. One even uses a supercharger.<br />* In weight, efficiency, noise and cost EFI 4 strokes compare favorably with DFI 2 strokes, but are more complex, usually heavier and more expensive than the carbed 2 strokes.<br /><br />You are unlikely to find two knowledgable people that agree with me or each other about everything above, but if you have questions, ask away.
