Buying old diesel engines

[Jegs]

At that age you need to think about sump replacement,

Hi Bandit,

I have a TMD41B which is, I believe, the same basic engine &, if you have the time, it would be helpful if you would explain why a sump needs replacing.


Hopeful thanks,

John G

 

[ontheplane]

1200 hours - in car terms at 30mph that would be 36,000 miles - would you consider a 36,000 mile diesel car a problem??? No - barely run in!

 

[TQA]

Hi Bandit,

I have a TMD41B which is, I believe, the same basic engine &, if you have the time, it would be helpful if you would explain why a sump needs replacing.


Hopeful thanks,

John G

RUST?

 

[Bandit]

The sumps tend to rust over time and oil loss would lead to engine loss if the engine was running.

The exhaust horns also perforate through over time and could sink the boat.

I reckon about 10 to 12 years is a prudent age to inspect and replace.

Neither are big cost items but it's an engine out job to change them.

 

[Jegs]

Thanks for the info.

John G

 

[Jim@sea]

Last year at this time I was looking at a boat in Plymouth which had an outdrive leg which needed overhaul and the Volvo Penta engineer said that he was so busy that he could not touch it for a month. When I buy a boat in April I want to use it NOW. Not wait a month for repairs. So I did not buy it. so its not just keeping £1000 for a refurb its useability. And as long ago as 1974 I had a new boat with Volvo outdrive legs and I had my first years service and the engineer said "I have managed to save your leg" It seems to me that they are not any more reliable 40 years later.

 

[Chris_d]

1200 hours - in car terms at 30mph that would be 36,000 miles - would you consider a 36,000 mile diesel car a problem??? No - barely run in!

Whilst I agree 1200hrs shouldn't be anything to worry about, I think the car anology frequently used on here is seriously flawed. A marine engine is operated under constant speed and load and very intermittantly, also at a much higher cruising rpm so it is more like running a car continuously at 120mph than 30mph.
So depending on how the boat is used to get to those 1200hrs is what is important, it certainly is never going to be like an average 3 year old 36,000mile car, would you buy a 15 year old car with 36000miles or a racing car with 36000miles?

 

[Robg71]

Cars are also not built like boat engines. Or we would all be driving around with a two litre engine that would not pull the skin off a rice pudding.... When was the last time you got in your car/bike and sat for an hour in top gear 300 rpm off the limiter... It wouldnt last long.....
The analagy maybe floored, but,its a principle easy enough to grasp...

The race car with 36,000 miles on it, probably wasnt a very good race car...