Engine - opinions/ advice

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CJ13

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We’re moving to the ‘Dark Side’. Next week we’re viewing several Dutch built, Single Engine motor boats for use on inland Waterways. They’re all around 20 years old. I’d appreciate options/ advice on the engines list below.

2002- VP TAMD31S 100hp, with 2200 engine hours
2005- VP D3-110HP with EVC, with 5640 engine hours. Timing Belt and Water Pump replaced 2021.
2007- VP D3-110hp, with 3827 engine hours
2006- Vetus Deutz DT 66 170hp with 2200 engine hours

Thanks,
John
 
They've all done a lot of hours by UK standards but thats normal for Inland use.
General advice would be to avoid the D3's as generally troublesome in fast seagoing boats, issues with variable vane turbos etc... just google D3 problems, however in that lower powered inboard version probably ok and they already have presumably clocked up a lot trouble free hours. I would check service histories etc... and judge on condition and the boat their fitted to.
 
Chris_d said:
They've all done a lot of hours by UK standards but thats normal for Inland use.
and judge on condition and the boat their fitted to.
Click to expand...
(y)
If the rest of the boat is neat, tidy and loved a good chance the engine has been cared for as well.
 
Based on the information provided I would consider the TAMD 31 and the Vetus Deutz from that list. Hours aren’t outrageous for the age of the engines and if they have been looked after will likely have at least as many hours again in them.
 
Thanks for the advice. The D3’s are off the list but we’ve added the following:

2005- Mitsubishi 6D14 98hp, with 1680hrs
2003- Volkswagen TDI-5D diesel, 5 cilinder turbo, 150hp, with 980hrs

Again advice / opinions appreciated.
 
Don't get too worked up about a particular brand of engine. The basic engines are long lived and in the type of boat you are looking at very lightly stressed. The biggest problems with marine diesels are the bits that are full of seawater, the high power outputs when installed in planing boats and neglect. The amount of hours in the boats you list suggest previous use in inland waterways and possibly freshwater. The engines are low powered for their size, run for long periods at optimum speeds and don't have seawater running through the expensive bits that keep it cool. Main things to look out for are regular servicing, particularly oil changes and access to a good dealer network for spares and service.
 
I would say that opting for a well known and commonly found make will likely make maintenance and getting parts easier and you will get a better sense of how good they are because there will be experience that you can tap into. Not come across a Mitsubishi in a boat before and the only boats I know of that have the VW are Greenline and I am not sure that VW still do them.
 
You are right about the VW. Did not make much impact on the market. Mitsubishi are quite common elsewhere, particularly in Holland. They are the base engines for many Vetus and Sole engines, although Vetus also use Deutz.
 
Mitsubishi make huge number of plant engines that run forever. Deutz make great engines and great tractors, and farm machinery, and obviously marinised by Vetus. I wouldn't be afraid of 2200 hours - barely run-in on a 170hp diesel - that is only 2 years running in a tractor. We have a 180hp John Deere engine in our sprayer and it starts on the button and pulls like a train - it has 9700 hours on it.
 
Say what you like about Volvo Penta, the availability of spare parts for their older less complicated engines, both OE and aftermarket , is second to none.
Unlike all the other engine makes, there will be a source of spares for your marine engine just round the corner.

An observation...... from the caretaker of Perkins, Volvo Penta and Yanmar power units in the past, who recently had to buy a relay for a Yanmar from a company in the IOM which actually had stock and did not want me to bend over regards price. :)
 
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