What type of outboard motor is classified as a four-cycle?

A four-cycle, or four-stroke, outboard motor operates on a cycle that involves four distinct strokes of the piston: intake, compression, power, and exhaust. This type of engine relies on a method where each stroke represents a different stage of the combustion process, allowing for a more complete fuel combustion which results in greater efficiency and lower emissions compared to two-stroke engines.

In a four-stroke motor, the intake stroke brings in air and fuel mixture, the compression stroke compresses this mixture, the power stroke occurs when the mixture is ignited, producing power, and finally, the exhaust stroke expels the burned gases. This system ensures that the engine runs smoothly and efficiently, typically making it more fuel-efficient and quieter than alternatives.

Two-stroke motors, on the other hand, complete their power cycle in just two strokes, making them lighter and simpler but generally less fuel-efficient and more polluting. Diesel engines are typically categorized within four-stroke engines but use a diesel fuel combustion process. Electric motors do not use a combustion cycle at all and operate through electric power.

Thus, the classification of a four-cycle outboard motor as a four-stroke is accurate because it refers specifically to the four distinct phases of operation that contribute to its