Re: Propane vs. Gasoline Engine whats best?

Posted by Jerry/MT on January 01, 2005 at 18:14:57 from (206.183.120.240):

In Reply to: Propane vs. Gasoline Engine whats best? posted by Jess G. Enns on January 01, 2005 at 08:02:51:

When I was working my way through college, I was an equipment repairman at US Steel-Gary Works and 95% of our I/C engines were propane powered. The only problem we had regarding propane fuel was that we used local tap water, which was very hard, in the cooling system and the gas regulators were "heated" with coolant. The coolant passages would plug up and then the regulators would freeze the engines would run ratty (not unlike carb icing on a gasoline fueled engine). Even on a 110 degree day, they'd be covered with frost! The only other problem we had was that the mechanical float gauges in the tanks would crap and and guys would run them out of fuel.
They produced more horspower because the octane rating was higher and we could run with higher compression ratios. They ran clean and didn't require oil changes as frequently. Even the plugs stayed clean. I saw a lot of propane engines torn down and they were soooo much cleaner than a similar gas engine you wouldn't believe it.
I think the biggest problem with propane fuel is dealing with fuel storage and refueling on an average farm. Liquid fuels are easier to store and handle and they don't freeze your skin if you get careless with them.

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