Enfield Marine Diesel Engines

[Derek]

I am looking for an inexpensive second hand diesel engine for my ARDEN 4 yacht. She is currently fitted with a very old VIRE. I am going to look at an Enfield marine diesel engine I have been told is on sale at an asking price of £275. I have no information on its hp, but understand it is aircooled, electric or handle start, and comes with a gearbox, oil pressure, oil temperature and amp guages, and is described as being in good running order. It came from a 20' boat. I have not heard of Enfield diesels before, and wonder if anyone out there has any experience of them, or any advice to offer.

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[sailorman]

does the Vire still work, y not re-build it better the devil u know?.
changing engines has many hidden costs
it wont fit, if u cant do the job u have to pay
shaft will need to be replaced
prop ditto
electrics renew
gear shift, alter


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[RJD]

When I was in the Navy...(Royal) the Enfield air-cooled flat twin diesel was fitted in the motor whalers and ships motor boats. They were rather noisy and difficult to start on occasions! Any ex RN stoker/engineer ought to be able to give a more realistic and useful comment I am sure.
Tony P

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[aztec]

i would agree, but it could make a good mud anchor!

either rebuild the vire, or pay out coins (at an alarming rate) to re-engine.



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[Superflid]

If it looks like this.....

Never, ever be within 100 yards when it starts up without ear protection.

That is a pic of the one now removed from my boat.

Most definately the noisiest engine I've ever heard.

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[supermalc]

There have been several Yanmar YS range and Lister etc. on boatsandoutboards recently. Some can be heard running, and not too expensive.

<hr width=100% size=1>Malcolm.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/malcsworld/>http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/malcsworld/</A>
Take a look at my boating pages.

 

[Peppermint]

Re: This is not the engine for you.

It has no redeeming features.

If a new inboards to fit an outboard. You don't sail to be hasseled so why buy somebody elses box of woe's.

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[supermalc]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F30026>http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F30026</A>

I would have thought this engine would be excellent value

<hr width=100% size=1>Malcolm.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/malcsworld/>http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/malcsworld/</A>
Take a look at my boating pages.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Like one of the other posts I have had experience of this engine fitted to RN motor boats. They were I believe a stopgap engine designed for the RN in the 1940's. They were very reliable but extremely noisy, mainly due to the air cooling. They also tended to be smoky if there was any oil around! They could be started by hand, in fact If my memory serves me they always were. Have seen a couple of broken thumbs! I cannot remember a battery charging system being fitted, but then I am not as young as I once was! Also there was more than one version. I should think that spares would be a major problem these days. In short I would think more trouble than it's worth.

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[Jcorstorphine]

Not sure if your Arden 4 is wood or GRP but I had a Briggs & Stratton air cooled engine in my wooden Arden. Lots of problems with build up of hot air under the cockpit, the the strip planking was started to spring with the heat, red hot exhaust and so on.

An air Cooled engine is Ok for a work boat but not a yacht, look for something else.

John C

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[Derek]

Thanks everyone for all the advice and comments. In light of what was said, I am working on doing up the Vire (for this season at least!). I'm still tempted by the apparent greater reliability of diesels and if the right one comes along at the right price I may yet go for it. I just wish the ones which sound good in the ads were not all on the south coast! It's a bit far from the Tay to the south coast for a speculative closer look!

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[asteven221]

I had a GRP Arden 4 fitted with a Volvo MD1 which I had to replace as I ran it too low on oil, which was entirely my fault. Up until then it worked fine. I stuck an outboard bracket on the back and put a Yamaha outboard on it until I found a replacement Volvo. It worked okay. Volvo's MD1's can be picked up for for £350 or so and I have seen a few advertised from time to time. You don't say where you're from, but if you are in Scotland the magazine Yachting Life is a worth a look. There is a guy called George Hulley who runs the chandlers at Sandpoint Marina in Dumbarton, who actually built these boats. He obviously knows them inside out and is very helpful and I am sure would answer any questions you may have. You can email me if you want any more infoprmation.

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