Diesel 3300 hours?

[Boatman]

Yes I am a Yachty, but I thought I would ask the experts I am about to buy a Yacht with a 62hp diesel that has done 3300 hours (seems well maintained and does not smoke too much) is this alot?

After 3300 hours what sort of problems should I expect?

Any and all comments are welcome

 

[Anchorite]

I multiply boat engine hours by 50 to give a vague equivalence in miles run with a car motor: 3300 x 50 = 165000 miles. A lot for some engines, ok for Mercs and some Peugeots which can do 3 times that. I'd be looking for oil leaks on crankshaft seals, how does it sound on starting (compression). Overheating. Look in oil filler.
And.

 

[cliff]

Maybe a pump and injector overhaul and the valves reseated (next season). What is the make of the engine? what is the oil pressure like? What is the compression like? Any oil leaks? (crankshaft seals / sump gasket) Is there a service history? (Engine log and receipts for parts or servicing)

You could always draw off a sample of oil and have it analysed - it is amazing what can be determined about the state of an engine from a sample of the old engine oil (no point in checking after the oil has been changed.

The expected life of many diesels, before major rebuild, is around 10,000 hours but it depends on how they are looked after and run. If it has been "battery charging" for extended periods expect bore glazing - easily cured, but means a strip-down.

If you are worried get a proper diesel mechanic in to look at it - NOT a "bit fitter".
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[leadersail]

3300 hours on a Yacht indicates to me




it has won a lot of races. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Boatman]

Engine is a Nanni, starts fine, no apparent oil leaks, and has not been used as a charging system as the there is a seperate diesel generator. Whole engine room and equipment appear to be well looked after.

Oil analysis, is this a generally available service?

 

[Boatman]

After 2 circumnavigations probably not, but I like the idea.

 

[leadersail]

It's had a hammering like that ( TWICE ) and you are concerned about the engine /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[cliff]

For some folk, yes. Usually done for big MF engines where it is more cost effective to pull it out of service and overhaul before failure rather then let it fail in service.

You said Nanni - Kubuto then, /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif spares are cheap and readily available. I would not worry too much - perhaps have the injectors overhauled sometime to reduce the smoke.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[Boatman]

Rest of the boat basicly fine, has been looked after v well. Built to a commercial spec and totally over enginiered in most areas. Need a bit of TLC but not alot else, will do 4 to 5,000 miles before I start work.

 

[alb40]

If it runs fine, then its going to be a damn sight better than one that hasnt been used. Id choose that one over one that has, say, only 500 hours.

To get to that number and still work well means its been cared for, so it should carry on for many more hours yet.

Most boat enigne corrode to bits a long time before they actually wear out. My 12 year old turbo diesel car (ford) has 130k miles on it, and it runs like brand new still.

 

[Callisto]

I just ripped down two Volvo 130 hp turbo diesels with 1200 hours on them. Well looked after, regular oil changes and inside they were mint. no sign of wear. A mate of mine knows of another with 8000hours on and is still in tip top order.

Hours x50 does seem a reasonable estimation. in my case that would be 1200 x 50 + 60,000 miles........Just about run in then!

JH

 

[oldgit]

Mine 40A have got 2.500 hours each .Bit of smoke on start but thats it.Tiny amounts of oil used twixt each oil change.No dribbles from engine but curious little weeps from bottom of turbo after good thrash, unable to locate source.Excellent old understressed brick whatsits.Expect to get twice those hours before spending any money.Only problem was 25 year old heat exchanger.Dab of solder on core seam sorted that.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

41A smokes like a sod some of the time, but doesn't get enough real work. Started first time last March after 5 months cold and sitting out in the river.

 

[oldgit]

We are orf to the Riviera del Ramsgate in company of Alec(Unit18) this weekend so our green lumps will get decent run,about 4/5 hours I reckon.Could be lots quicker if we can fix tow rope to stern of his boat without him spotting it.

 

[David_Jersey]

IF the Engine has been looked after then no problem. (and in the circumstances you describe their is every chance that it will have been, as the owners WERE at least motivated).

But I would still get an Engineer to have a look, get the oil tested, check the receipts..........and when it came to negotiating a price "um and arr" about the high engine hours /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif