Seagull oil in water problem

[RAY SWANN]

Hello all.
This summer I have used my 40+ and 102 on the canal to push my little 13 foot boat.
I used the correct oil petrol mix,and both motors are well tuned,and prop shafts/bush clearance fine.
Unfortunately I had three boaters and a fisherman complain to me about the oil residue left in the water from my engines.
As the canal has no flow,this oil seems to remain in the water for some days,so I do understand that this could be classed as pollution.
A read of British waterways boaters guide turns up "It is illegal to discharge oil or human waste into inland waterways".
It seems that in today's "green" culture, I will have to go 4 stroke motors on inland waterways.
Anyone had a similar experience ?

[Hugz]

Was mentioned before that you can use vegetable oil ie olive oil. Would seem a better green alternative. Would like a bit more information before testing on a motor though. Would still leave a residue but more in harmony with nature. I'm a bit of a greenie myself so shudder a tad when when an ever increasing circle of colour surrounds my boat after dropping the pick in still waters.

There is an argument, and I think that I read it on the main site, that the manufacture of a new motor would cause far more of a carbon footprint than the occasional running of a seagull. It's best not to get into a confrontation but to have some prepared answers help.

Might be time to rejet to 25/1 though I prefer a stronger mix for longevity.

[Todd]

You might also insure that your fuel cock cork and filler cap seals are good (John at SOS has all) and that you make a practice of running your carb dry before tilting the motor out of water. When tilted, rotate it so the filler cap is up.

[RAY SWANN]

Both sound ideas,I will look into veg oil as a lubricant (after all its a lot cheaper than TWC 3 oil)
I have replaced fuel tap cork and get no fuel leaks into water,but even the odd drip of gear oil
from the prop shaft looks like an eyesore as it slowly spreads out over the still water,have even tried squirting a
few drops of fairy liquid in to break it down.
The 40+is 1952 the 102 I think 1961,so don't think I can change the mixture on these early motors.
Hope someone can come with an idea as I don't want to stop using these lovely motors.

[atoyot]

That theory about relative carbon footprints sounds great though it has yet to be quantified with numbers or evidence. It's more like a rationalisation, oft repeated to settle our conscience. Let's face it, two strokes and Seagull engines in particular are dirty-running machines unless meticulously maintained & operated.

Here's something a bit more tangible: commercially available oils such as castor bean oils (Klotz, Maxima, etc) and canola based oil (http://www.suite101.com/content/biodegr ... ed-a210473). Once the fishermen understand the temporary nature of a plant-based oil drop, may be it'll help.

Also, try this - white gas and petrol at about 50/50. I've run it for a while and it works fine. White gas evaporates quickly if spilled. It's a costly mix, though I don't use a whole lot if fuel to begin with.

I'm testing a batch for winter storage longevity.

[Hugz]

What about fish oil? Would also act as burley....
Dont arf stink tho.

[Collector Inspector]

"Day Ray

Panolin Aquasynth

Self-mixing 2-stroke engine oil specially for machine outboard engines...............

I am just starting some research on this

http://www.biodegradableoil.com.au/products.html

B

[phil]

Re: white gas, I believe they call it white spirit in the UK? Anyway its the type of petrol used to run the Coleman type pressure petrol stoves and lanterns. Have run the Century motors on it [compression ratio probably 4:1-5:1] with TCW3, no problem except cost [$15 for 4l here]. If they will run on kerosene [with suitable setup to preheat the kerosene] they will run on white gas. Some of the folks that run antique stationary engines like to use it, as it is as close to the original fuel as they can get. They often get it free or cheap at yard sales.

[RAY SWANN]

Hello all
Thank you all for your help and good tips.
The Panolin aquasynth looks brilliant, and is used by many well known companies,
this I will definitely try.
This spring I will also try the white spirit idea,and see if the oil residue disperses quicker.
I will trial both in the same motor,and let you know the results.
I can have a clear conscience and still enjoy my vintage motors.
Ray.

[40TPI]

You might like to ask the same boaters when they intend abandoning injecting grease out of their stern tubes directly into the cut .............grease is simply oil mixed with a thickening agent such as flour but it is still oil. Somebody else can do the calculation on how much oil is therefore pumped into the UK canal network by boaters on an annual basis. Say a quart of grease a year per boat on average, from the 35,000 odd licensed boats on the network? Viewed like this I'd reckon the contribution from Seagulls to network pollution is insignificant by comparison! And that is just the pollution from stern tubes and says nothing about any other oil pollution and diesel spills let alone the detergents, surfactants etc that pour directly into the system from narrow boats.
By all means use full biodegradable TCW3 and take every reasonable step to reduce pollution but lets keep a perspective on this.

Peter

[goldote]

I spend summers on a lake with plenty of green pretentious neighbors. They whine if I lose a drop of anything. I hang a plastic pickled herring jar under the carb bowl using a tiny rubber cord. I kryloned it black. When I tilt the Seagull, it hangs loose and vertical as the bowl goes horizontal and catches the small leak.
I also do what I've seen pics of the guys at the races do. Use copious amounts of rags.
When I leave it overnight on the transom, I'll hang a small plastic pail under the prop.
I cover it all with a black nylon laundry bag to deter water and gawkers.
The birds seem to like it. They wait patiently in the pole barn for their turn to get hot, up and on it.

[RAY SWANN]

You have hit the nail on the head!
That's just what Ive got WATER GAWKERS.
Yes, never thought about it before, all that grease through the stern tubes!
Going to run my motors on Castrol 2t Bio lube,any moans from the water
gawkers....just show them the bottle,and ask if they use bio degradable
prop shaft grease.
That's got that sorted,thanks folks.

Anyone know where I can get I HATE WATER GAWKERS stickers

[Charles uk]

How about a

Don't talk to me I've just been expelled from my anger management classes after three years, for violence! & I'm pissed off.

sticker

[RAY SWANN]

Excellent!
Problem is I would need a longer boat to fit it all on,and all that backing paper
from the giant sticker could end up as land fill.
May take friends Alsatian dog on boat,and spray some shaving
foam round his mouth.
You have to laugh,or you would cry.

[Charles uk]

PAINT IT ON WITH BLOOD
Biodegradable & no backing paper.


I used to have a sing on my desk at work that said

"You don't have to be mad to work here but it helps!"

Much more credible when written with your own faeces.