warwicksail
Well-Known Member
Im going to view a used twin cylider petter and was wondering if there are any key signs to look for
Buying Used Diesel Engines ??
- Thread starter warwicksail
- Start date
Thistle
Well-Known Member
I think I'd want to know quite a lot about its history - use and servicing. Can I see (and hear) it running? I'd also want to know, in some detail, why it is for sale: if someone doesn't like it enough to get rid of it, what's wrong with it and why would I want it?
30boat
N/A
Usually if a diesel is for sale that's because it's knackered.
purplerobbie
Well-Known Member
Nobody takes out a perfectly good engine.
There is a reason it has been taken out of the boat.
Rob
There is a reason it has been taken out of the boat.
Rob
pete
Well-Known Member
I bought a used petters mini twin around 10 years ago that was being replaced because the owner wanted a bigger engine. Good engines but getting on a bit now. There are about 5 of these engines at our club.
They have alloy heads which can suffer from corrosion due to being raw (salt) water cooled , the exhaust bend and water cooled manifold are also prone to corrosion as with most water cooled engines. as are the steel water pipes which can also block internally due to rust, many of the old steel pipes have probably been replaced by now.
Because the engines are old some of the parts may not be available and what parts are are can be quite expensive.
It is very important to keep on top of the 2 zink anodes in the starboard side of the engine.
There are plenty of starting aids on these engines starting handle,oil injection into the inlet valves,diesel enrichment device and heater plugs and mine was always a good starter.
pete
They have alloy heads which can suffer from corrosion due to being raw (salt) water cooled , the exhaust bend and water cooled manifold are also prone to corrosion as with most water cooled engines. as are the steel water pipes which can also block internally due to rust, many of the old steel pipes have probably been replaced by now.
Because the engines are old some of the parts may not be available and what parts are are can be quite expensive.
It is very important to keep on top of the 2 zink anodes in the starboard side of the engine.
There are plenty of starting aids on these engines starting handle,oil injection into the inlet valves,diesel enrichment device and heater plugs and mine was always a good starter.
pete
alec
Well-Known Member
Quite understand that your budget may only stretch to a used engine but have heard of many bad cases. Often they are just repainted with nothing much else done to them.
It may be worth looking into a reputable reconditioning company that can give some kind of a guarantee . Having said that when me buy boats we are largely taking condition of an engine on trust.
I caught a cold once through not employing an engineer survey when buying a boat. Not a mistake I intend repeating.
It may be worth looking into a reputable reconditioning company that can give some kind of a guarantee . Having said that when me buy boats we are largely taking condition of an engine on trust.
I caught a cold once through not employing an engineer survey when buying a boat. Not a mistake I intend repeating.
chrishelen
N/A
Hi,good engines but getting a bit long in the tooth now,they did suffer with head problems and a new head(or recon)will cost approx £500 and theres two of them on the 12hp,is there any chance you can check the engine out?listen to it start from cold and get it up to working temp and run it for at least an hour,if its in a boat even better get the owner to take you for a run,any problems will then become evident like overheating or lots of smoke,as for most second hand diesels being clapped out this maybe true but sometimes people upgrade as i did from a petter(with a new head) to a volvo,the petter was in first class condition when i sold it,and the second hand volvo was a recon unit and has proved to be reliable.But be aware a clapped out diesel can cost ££££££££s to put right.
doug748
Well-Known Member
Some very good informative posts here.
I replaced my perfectly good Petter because I (not the engine) am getting on a bit. With luck I have maybe 20yrs sailing to look forward too, the engine would then be 50 yrs old and have either expired or be unreliable. So just as well buy a brand new engine now, when I am still fit enough to put it in, and have 20 years enjoyment out of it.
My message is: not all of them are knackered, look carefully at the service records and the reason for selling. By the way my Mini Twin started easily and was not a moments trouble in 12 years ownership. Good Luck.
I replaced my perfectly good Petter because I (not the engine) am getting on a bit. With luck I have maybe 20yrs sailing to look forward too, the engine would then be 50 yrs old and have either expired or be unreliable. So just as well buy a brand new engine now, when I am still fit enough to put it in, and have 20 years enjoyment out of it.
My message is: not all of them are knackered, look carefully at the service records and the reason for selling. By the way my Mini Twin started easily and was not a moments trouble in 12 years ownership. Good Luck.
warwicksail
Well-Known Member
Hi thanks for all your help /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Ive just been informed the engine has service history recon heads new starter, alternator, so hopefull its a good one it fits my bugget and if not i think I can sell it in bits for what ive paid, Thanks for all your help guys. Anyway nice s,westerly blowing and even sunsine .......