Inspired by a recent post,

Which builder of marine diesels is guilty of the most over complication!

  • MTU

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • VOLVO

    Votes: 6 66.7%
  • Yanmar

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Iveco

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Catapillar

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Scannia

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Cummins

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Beta

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Nanni

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • Vetus

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • MAN

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    9

jwfrary

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I'm interested to see what people think is the manufacturer with the most over complication with their engines, both mechanically and electrically.

I might even send a letter to the winner!
 
Do not forget Lombardini

But if one has only had a couple of different engines of different manufacturers how does one know which is the most complicated manufacturer. Of the 3 I have had none have been "complicated". The first just did not want to work when I needed it most. But it was not complicated. Starting handle, magneto, carb, centrifugal clutch, no reverse( fun in the Dutch locks). So what would I tick?
..
Now if you had a box for "most "F$%^&* useless"- Stuart Turner would win hands down. :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
Do not forget Lombardini

But if one has only had a couple of different engines of different manufacturers how does one know which is the most complicated manufacturer. Of the 3 I have had none have been "complicated". The first just did not want to work when I needed it most. But it was not complicated. Starting handle, magneto, carb, centrifugal clutch, no reverse( fun in the Dutch locks). So what would I tick?
..
Now if you had a box for "most "F$%^&* useless"- Stuart Turner would win hands down. :rolleyes:

I ran out of lines for the poll!
 
What about type of engine? My VP2002 on my boat is much simpler than the massive VP on another boat I sail on.

Yeah, certainly see what you mean. I'm thinking current engines and as we can the look back on a golden era of simplicity:-)
 
Complication doesn't necessarily go with manufacturer. As @Sandy said, the 200x series of Volvo engines couldn't be much simpler, but later rebadged engines sold by Volvo may well be more complex. And there is even variation within a range - again, the Volvo 200x series comes in raw or fresh water cooled, and there's a turbo option for the 2003. I've got a raw water cooled 2003, and it's a pretty basic diesel. But if you want real simplicity, the Sabb 8-10hp engine is pretty hard to beat! But the fundamental difference in complexity is between old-style diesels and common rail.
 
2000 series are not a favourite of mine, granted lots around still but they were quite heavy. Injectors were a pain had multiple injector pumps and stupid little orings on the ends of the hard lines to the Hx, not a favourite.

The 2010 2020 and 2030 engine that replaced it is lighter more powerful quieter and simpler to work on, exhaut elbow was a bit trashy arrangement.

I would take one of those over most things,
 
Do not forget Lombardini

But if one has only had a couple of different engines of different manufacturers how does one know which is the most complicated manufacturer. Of the 3 I have had none have been "complicated". The first just did not want to work when I needed it most. But it was not complicated. Starting handle, magneto, carb, centrifugal clutch, no reverse( fun in the Dutch locks). So what would I tick?
..
Now if you had a box for "most "F$%^&* useless"- Stuart Turner would win hands down. :rolleyes:

Your comment about Stuart Turners made me smile. I think that's how many people feel about ST engines but my dad had one in his boat and swore by it, rather than at it.
I think his trick to maintaining it was to pretty much leave it be and just smother it in WD40 at the end of the season. He used to take the mick out of his mate who was always fiddling with his Volvo.
 
2000 series are not a favourite of mine, granted lots around still but they were quite heavy. Injectors were a pain had multiple injector pumps and stupid little orings on the ends of the hard lines to the Hx, not a favourite.

The 2010 2020 and 2030 engine that replaced it is lighter more powerful quieter and simpler to work on, exhaut elbow was a bit trashy arrangement.

I would take one of those over most things,
This begs the question of what we mean by complex. The 2000 series engines have faults, but they are very simple engines; they are simple enough that my late wife and I managed to strip down the cylinder head, and could, no doubt, have gone further. And I am no mechanical genius! Yes, there are some strange design decisions - but complicated they ain't, except for the necessarily complex bits like the injection pumps. And no conventional injection pump is simple or robust enough for DIY work, unless you're an experienced diesel engineer and can work to close tolerances in a clean environment.
 
How about a Lamborghini or two?

Lamborghini-350-GT-V12-engines_1-1-500x400.jpg
 
Are you going to normalise the results for market share? I haven't cast my vote, but I bet I already know who will get the biggest vote just due to their sales volume.

Sorry to be a party-pooper, but I don't like internet witch-hunts.
 
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