Re: stupid question for the day

Posted by Bob M on January 21, 2003 at 12:54:58 from (165.170.128.66):

In Reply to: stupid question for the day posted by Terry on January 21, 2003 at 07:21:26:

Terry - Propane can work, and you don't need to worry about it "blowing up" your motor. While propane indeed has a high octane rating, this merely means as a motor fuel it is more resistant to knock than is regular or hi-test gasoline. It doesn't mean it is more "explosive" or otherwise hard on an engine. Rather what is important here is energy density. And propane has a LOWER energy density than gasoline or distillate. Which simply means if your motor is OK with gasoline and distillate, there's no way you can harm it on propane.

However there are a couple practical matter to using propane as a starting aid: 1 - Like any other fuel, propane must be properly proportioned with air in order to fire the engine. Too little (lean) and nothing will happen. Too much (rich), again nothing happens. Getting the proper fuel/air mix by directing an unlit torch into the carb is an imperfect process at best! 2 - Propane is much heavier than air. Means that with an updraft carburetor, unless one person directs the propane into the carb inlet as the other cranks, the injected propane will simply run right back out of the carburetor and dissipate on the ground while you go around front to yank the crank.

If it were me I'd buy a can of ether starting fluid and use it sparingly per the instructions. WD-40 works pretty well too so long as the temperature is about about 20 degF...

Follow Ups:

• Re: Re: stupid question for the day MikeH-Tx 15:38:46 01/21/03 (0)

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