Bukh DV24ME Life Expectancy

[Gitane]

I am looking to purchase a used sailboat.

One possibility is a 26 feet cruising yacht with a 20 years old Bukh DV24ME engine. The engine has, reportedly, been well looked after and serviced over its lifetime.

It is not known how heavily the engine has been used, but assuming average weekend in-season cruising usage in a UK east coast environment (i.e. muddy salt water). Would anyone know what kind of life expectancy for this model of engine would be realistic?

At 20 years old, should I expect, say, another 5-10 years of usage out of the engine, or at 20 years old, should the engine be seen as due for retirement?

Also, is this a good, reliable engine for a 26 feet sail cruiser?

Gitane

 

[Mark Taylor]

My DV20 is now in it's 37th season and going well. Head has been off once due to my incompetence when trying to start it without properly bleeding engine but having left cooling water Seacombe open.

Need to keep on top of water pump shaft seals.....must not be allowed to leak into the sump.

Best bill I paid was after a year of poor starting when I was contemplating an engine change. An engineer suggested that after 35 years the starter motor probably deserved a rewind. The difference was absolutely amazing!

Only upgrade was to increase size of alternator as original fit was paltry......35 or perhaps 50 ampere......now I think it's 90??

If it has been looked after there should be no need to change, unless you want to!

 

[Tranona]

Impossible to say how long it will last. Many are still going 30+ years, but others have been replaced at less than 20. The big problem with sea water cooled diesels is that the typical yacht usage of 150 hours a year, mostly in short low revs periods is a killer for things like water pumps, cooling passages and exhaust elbows. Diesels like to be run hard at constant revs and full working temperature and then they will last many thousands of hours. In a lightly used yacht, spending most of their time not running but full of corrosive seawater and unburnt fuel 20 years would be good going.

An old boat with a well installed modern freshwater cooled engine is a much better bet - with the emphasis on the well installed bit. You are starting with the majority of the 30+ year life rather than the doubtful tail end of life of a 20 year old engine.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Ours came with the boat in '82 (DV20) and still going strong. Gave it a big birthday about 3 years ago and put in new wet liners, rings and gaskets. Also got the injectors refurbed. Should be good for another 30. There'll be a doom monger along in a minute who will tell you to buy a new Beta for 6-7 grand but the whole process cost about £1k.
Tough engines

 

[LittleSister]

For those who consider sea-water cooled engines unappealing, Bukhs can be fairly easily converted to fresh-water cooling.

 

[Mataji]

Mine is now over 40 years old. I have owned the boat for just over 3 years and put about 300 hours on the engine. I have no idea what work may have been done in the past, I have just kept her serviced regularly.

 

[oldharry]

20 yo? Only just run in with normal use and care!

 

[Champagne Murphy]

20 yo? Only just run in with normal use and care!

:encouragement: