How long is it safe to leave an engine unused and unattended

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CalicoJack

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Like many I cannot get to my boat either to use it, or just run the engine up. Assuming that lock down is going to go on, how long is it safe to leave the engine/boat unattended; the engine is a c1980 Perkins 4108 and the boat a similar vintage yacht. I have had an offer from a mechanic who is prepared to run the engine up, wash the boat and check it over, for which he is asking £300 for 6 visits. Now that goes against my thinking, but am I likely to end up with a bigger bill if I just leave it to sit?

Any thoughts?
 
Are you ashore, in a marina or on a swing/trot mooring?

If ashore most boats don't run their engine for five months.

If in a marina the staff should be checking lines and fenders, they might if you ask nicely start the engine and run it for an hour.

If on a swing/trot mooring you are on your own.
 
CalicoJack said:
Like many I cannot get to my boat either to use it, or just run the engine up. Assuming that lock down is going to go on, how long is it safe to leave the engine/boat unattended; the engine is a c1980 Perkins 4108 and the boat a similar vintage yacht. I have had an offer from a mechanic who is prepared to run the engine up, wash the boat and check it over, for which he is asking £300 for 6 visits. Now that goes against my thinking, but am I likely to end up with a bigger bill if I just leave it to sit?

Any thoughts?
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the only real issue with a 4108 is if you have a TMP box ( alloy casings ) & Duffield marinisation with copper pipes in the cooling system to the TMP box. Duffields effectively installed a battery :mad::eek:
 
My first boat spent 5 years without being started. When i put on a new battery and turned the key it started so fast it gave me a fright and I nearly s...t my self looking for the stop switch as the engine ran wot.

That was a 4108...
 
Sandy said:
Are you ashore, in a marina or on a swing/trot mooring?

If ashore most boats don't run their engine for five months.

If in a marina the staff should be checking lines and fenders, they might if you ask nicely start the engine and run it for an hour.

If on a swing/trot mooring you are on your own.
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We are in an MDL marina
 
I'm in Brixham marina which is MDL. The lads there will start engines up and run them if you feel the need. They are also checking lines and fenders several times a day. I am going to ask them to plug the mains lead in for a couple of hours sometime this week just to charge the batteries up. I would keep your £300 in your pocket if I were you.
 
I have in my previous life as a Veteran, Vintage and Classic motorcycle restorer got engines going after 50 years standing idle, often in poor storage conditions.

I purchased a 1959 Series 2 Diesel Land Rover which had been standing for 11 years in a railway arch at Tower Bridge. First Mate and I borrowed another Landrover which had an A bar towing device. When we got there I checked the oil, water and batteries, all OK but batteries obviously really flat. Tyres were blown up with a footpump, bloody hard work! There was just enough life in the twin 6V batteries to see the bulb coils in the oil warning lamp and charge lamp glowing dully.

I hooked it up to the A bar, towed it for a few times up and down the yard in gear and then pushed the stop cable in. It started easily, charge lamp went out and it sounded OK, ran fine. I jacked the engine speed up with the hand throttle, by the time we got it back to Ewell Village where we had our premises it was on the button, batteries charged.

I kept it for years, really good vehicle. The engine was sound as a pound.
 
Delivered a boat once with a six-cylinder Ford engine that had stood unused for 13 years. Needed a new starter battery.
 
CalicoJack said:
Like many I cannot get to my boat either to use it, or just run the engine up. Assuming that lock down is going to go on, how long is it safe to leave the engine/boat unattended; the engine is a c1980 Perkins 4108 and the boat a similar vintage yacht. I have had an offer from a mechanic who is prepared to run the engine up, wash the boat and check it over, for which he is asking £300 for 6 visits. Now that goes against my thinking, but am I likely to end up with a bigger bill if I just leave it to sit?

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

This to me is the madness of the current situation. You are allowed to pay someone to go to your boat to work on it or check it, but you can’t go yourself.

I’m self employed and not a complete boat novice. I’ve no work so what’s to stop me from setting up as a boat services company and paying myself to work on my boat, all whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines. I bet I live closer to the yard than any of the tradespeople too!
 
James W said:
I’m self employed and not a complete boat novice. I’ve no work so what’s to stop me from setting up as a boat services company and paying myself to work on my boat, all whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines. I bet I live closer to the yard than any of the tradespeople too!
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Nothing There is no test of professional competence that is required for opening your own marine business. The marina will wish to see proof of business details and a relevant certificate of insurance, before allowing you to work in their yard or on customers boats. You would need a letter of authority from the boat owner too.
 
PhillM said:
Nothing There is no test of professional competence that is required for opening your own marine business. The marina will wish to see proof of business details and a relevant certificate of insurance, before allowing you to work in their yard or on customers boats. You would need a letter of authority from the boat owner too.
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.
And you might have to pay the yard a fee for employing your own contractor! :D
 
CalicoJack said:
Like many I cannot get to my boat either to use it, or just run the engine up. Assuming that lock down is going to go on, how long is it safe to leave the engine/boat unattended; the engine is a c1980 Perkins 4108 and the boat a similar vintage yacht. I have had an offer from a mechanic who is prepared to run the engine up, wash the boat and check it over, for which he is asking £300 for 6 visits. Now that goes against my thinking, but am I likely to end up with a bigger bill if I just leave it to sit?

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
.

I would get him to flush through the cooling system and either drain it or put some corrosion-inhibitor in it, change the oil and the filter (using preservative oil, if you can get it) turn the engine over after introducing some oil into the cylinders, spray the exterior with some anti-corrosion oil, cover the engine and then leave it alone. Also disconnect the battery and fetch it home so you can keep it charged.

.
 
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I have a , lets call it a 'project', parked down the side of my house. I took it off the road in 2001. As I happen to have a bit of time on my hands at the moment, I had a little tinker with it the other day. After a few basic checks and precautions, it started 2nd attempt, and sounds sweet, after 19 years. I don't think a few weeks, or even a few months, will have any detrimental effects.
 
To the op, two good reasons to pay the chap: Peace of mind and peace of mind.

A less good reason would be the 280 Fray Bentos pies that he could feed his family on as a result of your donation.

I'd only let him actually run the engine if it was a really idiot proof set up, and then for a reasonably extended period under load, but it could be very reassuring to have the boat properly checked over* regularly.

* As opposed to marina staff quickly walking past and looking to see if the mooring lines had already failed or if the cockpit was already awash.
 
Perhaps ideally you'd 'winterise' the engine. particularly removing the exhaust, so that damp is not rising from the water lock and condensing on the valves and any cylinder where the exhaust valve is open. That used to be the traditional advice and it's what I do.

Second best might be to spin it over decompressed to re-oil the cylinder walls every week or so.
 
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