Buying Dilemma

[Fire99]

Hi All,

As many of you will know im currently in the process of buying a small motor cruiser.
I've had the full mechanical inspection done by a local (to the boat) Marine Engineering company and have already negociated on some work required with the outdrive.

Well after the final inspection of the Volvo v8 petrol engine, it has shown to have low compression on one cylinder which is guessed to be a sticking valve..(not 100% until the head is removed)

Now the sticking point, since the sale has been agreed based on no work beyond routine maintenance being required, shoult the seller (through a broker) be expected to pay in full for this repair (or reduce the price of the boat by the worst case amound) or is it fair to allow a percentage of the repair cost based on routine maintenance?

Bit of a toughy but the boat is nice and would be a real pity to walk away? I would like to be fair with this..

You're wise words of wisdom are appreciated on this as its a new situation for me.

many thanks.

 

[Richard10002]

Based on your offer, it's for the seller to do the work, or account for it in the price.. but he can always refuse, and you can walk away... which you dont want to do.

Whats the worst case cost?

I think I would ask him to have it investigated and corrected, or reduce the price by the worse case cost.... If he says no, he should make a counter offer... if he says take it or leave it, you have a decision to make.

 

[oldgit]

Buyer beware.A cheerful post.

"it has shown to have low compression on one cylinder"
A classic boaty problem,whenever any thing like this occurs there is a tempation by both buyer and seller(for different reasons) to hope for the best.Yes it could be a sticky valve or.... it could be broken piston rings which have scored the bore or a cracked piston both of which means engine out .Not sure which is worse in these cases the pain of the repair costs or the loss of not being able to play with your shiney new toy.
It is always far worse than it first appears where boats are concerned. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Either get seller to fix it and want to see all the receipts with name of proper boat fixer on header of invoice.
You get an estimate to fix from the most expensive mender in your area and knock that off asking price
Go elsewhere.
If you think horse traders are thieves and crooks,they are paragons of virtue compared the boat seller determined to unload a floating money pit. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Most on here have been caught at some point and have the mental scars to prove it.

 

[Nick_H]

Get the owner to have it fixed at their cost or walk away. They will have a choice, do the work and achieve the sale, or refuse and have to find a new buyer, which may take months, and the boat may depreciate more, and the new buyer will have a survey, and it may find the low compression

 

[Fire99]

Thanks alot gents,

When you like a boat (and other things) you can get caught up in the moment so to speak and need to switch on the rational thinking again..

I'll go back to the seller and see how it goes..

many thanks for that...

(one day i'll get back out on the water again /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

 

[PeteCooper]

"Well after the final inspection of the Volvo v8 petrol engine, it has shown to have low compression on one cylinder which is guessed to be a sticking valve..(not 100% until the head is removed)"

and if it isn't a sticking valve then it could be cracked rings, which I would imagine means engine out which could be expensive.

 

[Fire99]

Thanks chaps,

Its been put back into the sellers hands to resolve.
fingers crossed gang

 

[Chris_d]

If it was me wouldn't matter what it is, low compression points to either a very old worn engine or and under used/serviced engine. Unless its completely rebuilt or replaced I'd leave it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Micky]

What a lovely winter project.

If you like the boat, buy it. I assume the price is right and you have been able to knock a few ££££'s off it's true value.

During the winter season, completely strip the motor. You might find once the heads are lifted is a simple valve job, but be prepared to dig deeper. Personally i would go for a complete rebuild and replace everything, crank reground, heads skimmed etc etc

Once done you would have the satisfaction that you have a perfect engine.

 

[Fire99]

Well the full report has shown all the other 7 cylinders are fine.. all exactly the same compression etc.
Well its all in the wonderful hands of the seller now.

I'll let you know the outcome..

Many thanks again for all your thoughts on this..

 

[David2452]

If you suspect a valve then you can do something more without stripping to confirm. Put some thickish oil in the cyl, if the compression increases it points more to a ring or piston, if not it almost confirms top end.

 

[Nauti Fox]

Get an engineer to do a leak down test on it (if they can get a compressor near enough) its the best way to tell where the problem is.