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This quarter I have to do a science fair project. I really wanted to convert a lawn mower to run on propane, and then compare the cost of propane to gas and RPM and running temp. and things like that, but that seems like it would be a bit too expensive. I am really interested in small engines, but I can't think of any other projects that I can do with them. Any suggestions? Thanks

If you could show the effects of ethanol in today's fuel on the rubber and plastic parts in todays small engines, it would be a great help to every mechanic and consumer.

That's a good idea. I guess I would really need to look into all types of gasoline, and find where to get just straight gasoline, though. Thanks.

Here is a website where you can find stations that sell non-ethanol fuel in your state.

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

Thanks. So I was thinking about it, and I thought I could get some of the rubber carb parts and maybe some fuel tubing, and then measure the thickness and other things of them. I would then get about eight small jars and use two without liquid, two with normal gasoline with ethanol, two with ethanol free gas, and two with E-85 ethanol. I could then suspend each part in the jar with string, and let them sit for maybe like three days, and then remeasure. So my question is what exactly are the problems with ethanol that you have encountered. like do they crack, or shrivel up, or like dissolve?

Being a retired instructor your going to get a teachers point of view as to what I would like to see and why I suggested this. Problems we have seen in our shop. Fuel lines breaking down internally. Becoming soft, disintegrating, becoming mushy etc. Float needle and seats, expanding and not closing properly. We are talking about both rubber and neoprene fuel line. Somethings I would suggest. Go to your local repair shop and talk to the mechanics about this problem. Remember, not all mechanics feel that there is a problem, so you might have to try a few different shops. You will need different types of hoses and sizes, both 2 & 4 cycle. You are going to have to measure and test each sample over an extended period of time, because the breakdown takes time with different materials. It may take a couple of months for some materials to change. If you decide to do this it is going to take time and you are going to have to talk to your science instructor and do a lot of research. Let's also see if anyone else on this forum has any suggestions.

Excuse my igonorance but what is a science crafts fair?

pugaltitude said:

Excuse my igonorance but what is a science crafts fair?

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What a Science Fair is according to Wilke.

Science fairs are school competitions for students to select a problem, investigate it, come up with a hypothesis as to the cause, tell how this problem affects the consumer or planet, and if they have enough time offer possible solutions. I have been a judge in the past, and what we are looking for is critical thinking by the student and what they went through to get to their findings. It is used to individualize a students learning in an area of their interest.

I am not too sure if we have a couple of months, but I will look into this idea more and talk to my teacher, though. More ideas would be appreciated, though. Thanks

find someone with an electric lawn mower you can borrow, mow a yard with it and contrast the difference between the amount of electricity used and where it came from(coal, wind, oil, etc...) and what gasoline would cost along with its bad environmental effects. they sell cheap watt meters these days that you can use to determine electricity used. include costs for oil changes and associated costs for reclaiming and reuse of the old oil. if you teacher wants you to do the project over several weeks time, then do multiple lawns and gather more data. you could even look up an instructables article about converting a lawm mower to propane cheaply, then compare them all.

That sounds pretty good. Unfortunately, there is snow on the ground here where I am at. So I think I will talk to my teacher tomorrow to see what she thinks, and then go from there. But thanks for the input, I think I still may be able to do something with that.

Do the same with petrol and electric snowblowers.

How about tests on fuel consumption on certain gas powered equipment in certain cutting conditions.
Long grass to low grass.

Or

Find out which is quickest way to cut grass? Going at a steady pace or having your mower in top gear,
ie as fast as it go's.

pugaltitude said:

How about tests on fuel consumption on certain gas powered equipment in certain cutting conditions.
Long grass to low grass.

Or

Find out which is quickest way to cut grass? Going at a steady pace or having your mower in top gear,
ie as fast as it go's.

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Yeah, I like those ideas...especially the first one!! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Maybe that is something that I can test in the summer, just for fun, but there is still the problem with the snow.

LawnBoy97 said:

Maybe that is something that I can test in the summer, just for fun, but there is still the problem with the snow.

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Oh, yeah....I forgot. :frown:

Okay, well in wood shop we are design and building co2 powered dragsters, so I am going to base my project on those. Thanks for the suggestions, though, and if you have any more, feel free to keep posting because I get really bored over the summer and I am sure there are a few projects that could fill in the time. Thanks!

LawnBoy97 said:

Okay, well in wood shop we are design and building co2 powered dragsters, so I am going to base my project on those. Thanks for the suggestions, though, and if you have any more, feel free to keep posting because I get really bored over the summer and I am sure there are a few projects that could fill in the time. Thanks!

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Yeah, I remember when we made Co2 dragsters! :thumbsup: If you do a project over the summer post it here....I would be very interested to hear the results! :thumbsup:

Cool, thanks.