ColinR
Well-Known Member
I am thinking of replacing my trusty but 25 year old Yanmar 2GM20 this winter. Pricing it up, the Beta 20 is significantly cheaper than the Yanmar 3YM20 but is it as good?
cheers, Colin
cheers, Colin
Beta or Yanmar?
- Thread starter ColinR
- Start date
uxb
Well-Known Member
It's a nicer colour...
RobbieH
Well-Known Member
I've got a Beta 20 and have had no problems with it. Well just one - I advise you to get polyvee belt and pulleys (I upgraded the alternator to 70A at the same time). The standard V belt is definitely not up to it - black dust everywhere plus constant adjustment. I fitted polyvee last winter and during this years summer cruise (1000 miles with a couple of long motoring days) it was perfect - no dust and no adjustment and quieter than the V belt too.
Just make sure you clean out (rod) and check the cooling stack well each year end and change the zinc anode (in the stack). The heat exchanger is rumoured to be a weak point. I rod the tubes through each year and have displaced c**p (very fine weed and sand) that shouldn't be there. And I have fitted an exhaust overheat alarm.
Most engine parts are said to be cheaper for the Beta than the Yanmar (Kubota base).
Spyro
Well-Known Member
Why replace it? Is there something wrong with it? Just curious because I have one older than that.
bluemoongaffer
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't buy another Yanmar - no end of trouble with my 1GM10
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Yes. But also consider a Nanni. Same base engine, slightly different marinisation but a much nicer colour! Have not checked the detail measurements, but think you will find the Yanmar is bigger which may have an impact on your installation.
ColinR
Well-Known Member
good question. Nothing wrong with it but at 25yrs its only a matter of time. What I usually do with cars is think, i really ought to get a new(er) one, then dont get round to it for a year or two by which time its cost me a packet and let me down a few times. So I would prefer to upgrade while its going strong, is worth a few quid and while I am still earning.
Good enough?
ps, it didnt occour to me to choose on the basis of colour. What colour is a Nanni?
Coaster
Well-Known Member
Oh no it isn't!
Beta red is a much better colour than Nanni blue, for an engine.
It makes the engine run better.
Honest.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Depends on how well the colour co-ordinates with the hull colour, the upholstery, and particularly the new curtains SWMBO is always about to make!
Seriously, there is functionally so little difference between the different brands of engines these days, colour is almost the only differentiating feature. Does not mean there are not differences that might make one brand more suited to a particular application than another - layout of ancilliaries, position of exhaust and controls etc, but functionally there is very little difference. My choice on Nanni was because it was the only engine (along with the Beta equivalent) that would fit in exactly the same place as the Yanmar 1GM and be 40% more pwerful. The detailed spec was a bit better than the Beta, and the colour was more appropriate - but the exhaust is a different size and location so needed a bit of juggling to fit.
Seriously, there is functionally so little difference between the different brands of engines these days, colour is almost the only differentiating feature. Does not mean there are not differences that might make one brand more suited to a particular application than another - layout of ancilliaries, position of exhaust and controls etc, but functionally there is very little difference. My choice on Nanni was because it was the only engine (along with the Beta equivalent) that would fit in exactly the same place as the Yanmar 1GM and be 40% more pwerful. The detailed spec was a bit better than the Beta, and the colour was more appropriate - but the exhaust is a different size and location so needed a bit of juggling to fit.
dulcibella
Well-Known Member
Beta red is a nicer colour - unless you have a Rustler. For some reason Rustler overpaint their Beta engines in grey.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
But if you are going to use them in a canal boat they will be green!
(Still not as nice as Nanni metallic blue)
ColinR
Well-Known Member
most boats seem to be white these days so which make of engine is white?
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
My 3GM30F is eleven or twelve years old, just coming up to 2000 hours. Other than oil and filter changes it has had two new belts, one each for alternator and water pump, a few new impellers and two water pump seals. The gearbox dipstick has fractured at the plastic top. Starts first turn of the key, even after six months over winter, and still looks like new.
Davy_S
Well-Known Member
clue, begins with C ends in S
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Cummins. But don't think you have room for that.
Co-ordinating with you engine colour is a good reason to repaint your hull or at least add a coloured stripe. How about fitting a Vetus with a matching construction machinery yellow hull?
donm
Well-Known Member
Another vote for the Beta. Also, as it is not too complicated, running maintenance is still within the grasp of the ordinary mortal!
uxb
Well-Known Member
For what is worth ( not much )
Boat no.1. Had a single cylinder raw water cooled petter engine that was junk but could be hand started.Avoid.
Boat no.2 Yanmar 3GM30. Low hours, ate its cylinder head. Very quiet and smooth when it ran though.Raw water cooling on a boat is stupid. Just stupid.
Boat no.3 Perkins 4108. Absolute gem of an engine. Simple, totally reliable. Cheap bits if you didn't buy yottie spares.
Boat no.4 Volvo 2003. Noisey , raw water cooled, hasn't let me down so far but is being replaced as I won't be earning for much longer and I intend to keep this boat for a very long time. Probably a good engine,certainly been well looked after by previous owner.
Arrived today- a Beta 30.
Will the red be better than the green?
Boat no.1. Had a single cylinder raw water cooled petter engine that was junk but could be hand started.Avoid.
Boat no.2 Yanmar 3GM30. Low hours, ate its cylinder head. Very quiet and smooth when it ran though.Raw water cooling on a boat is stupid. Just stupid.
Boat no.3 Perkins 4108. Absolute gem of an engine. Simple, totally reliable. Cheap bits if you didn't buy yottie spares.
Boat no.4 Volvo 2003. Noisey , raw water cooled, hasn't let me down so far but is being replaced as I won't be earning for much longer and I intend to keep this boat for a very long time. Probably a good engine,certainly been well looked after by previous owner.
Arrived today- a Beta 30.
Will the red be better than the green?
sailorman
Well-Known Member
ColinR
Well-Known Member
