Home Page - Engine Profiles - D-I-Y Repairs - Special Reports

Suzuki Kerosene Outboard Motors

Suzuki Kerosene Outboard Motors Power Fishing Boats in the Third World

Suzuki kerosene outboard motors are popular in the third world where the price of the fuel is at least 40 to 50 percent less than price of gasoline. For example, in India and Sri Lanka kerosene is subsidized (because it is used for cooking) making these alternative fuel outboards eminently viable.

Suzuki kerosene outboards are conventional, loop-charged carbureted two-strokes that start on gasoline and then transition to kerosene when warm. One might argue that makes them multi-fuel outboards, or at least bi-fuel outboards.
Suzuki Motor's kerosene outboard ignition system is breaker-less which means no replacing points and condenser. A tune-up is no more complicated than tightening the spark plug gap, or outright replacing the plugs.

Kerosene outboards are better suited for trolling or long hauls rather than for short trips. They're popular  on small fishing boats in third world countries even though service life is shorter because of the increased combustion carbon byproduct. Kerosene outboards run at a higher temperature and combustion is not as efficient as  with gasoline. Exhaust smoke is copious. Service life is about half that of a gas engine.

Suzuki kerosene outboard motors start on gasoline and then transition to blend of kerosene and two-stroke oil.