lombardini engines

[minquiers]

has anybody any info on the lombardini marine engines, i thought i saw somewhere about some problems with internal corrosion, any info on these would help as i am in need of a new engine approx 35hp

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Oh gawd, we used to have one in our little angling boat. 10hp single air cooled with rope start married to a 2:1 marine gearbox. Would apparently run either way. It was the same unit as used in cement mixers and the like.

I do remember the fun if the rope did not fall out of the slot in the pully wheel and would wrap around as the engine started chugging away, learning to drop it was not as obvious as you might think when the rope was shortening by the second as your hand approched the engine.

I do remember that is was extremely reliable and robust, and really economical.

I guess this does not help you, just brought back some memories...... put put put

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/TC_IrishCruise_2003_00.html>Irish Cruise</A>

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Fitted one in my boat around four years ago, three cylinders giving 27BHP continuous. Have (had?) also fitted a small single-cylinder one in my previous boat, a 20ft Vivacity.
From personal experience:
Reliable, Economical, Quiet, Clean.
They are properly engineered 'Marine' engines and not marinised versions of automotive engines. Mine does not have a distribution pump but is equipped with a plunger pump to each injector. In theory you can therefore calibrate your injectors right on the boat, if necessary.
The heat exchanger is attached with bolts and not with studs. It therefore requires less spce at the side in case removal is necessary (e.g. for cleaning the tubes).
Note that the 27BHP is CONTINUOUS; many other engines are offered at a similar output but it is only in the 'small print' that you can find out that this is only 'automotive' power and that it is Intermittent Duty.
The only gripe that I have is about the assembler and not the engine. Some s-o-b put an ordinary perforated steel / asbestos gasket between the aluminium alloy heat exchanger and the stainless steel exhaust elbow, creating a perfect spot for electrolytic corrosion. I changed this to a normal high-temperature rubber/mineral fibre gasket and have had no problems.
Lombardini are one of the largest producers of diesel engines. You might wish to visit their site (also in english).
Fair Winds!

<hr width=100% size=1>Wally

 

[dickh]

I think you will find they are Industrial Engines which have been Marinised. The identical engines are sold as Industrial but without the marinising bits & pieces. The one thing I don't like about them is that they have a timing belt like diesel car engines, and I feel that this could be an item that wont be changed at regular intervals - and more likely to break through old age or snagging a rope which stops the prop.... Oh, and as they are an all Ally engine(I think) - make sure the anodes are changed regularly...
Aside from my reservations, which are personal, they are a lightweight engine well engineered and are certainly good in industrial situations. I like the idea of bolts instead of studs - especially watching my friend wrestle trying to unscrew the studs with a pair of molegrips with the manifold hanging on the last one, no room for two hands and lots of bleeding knuckles and **!!??** words.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[john_morris_uk]

Look carefully at the access for the variously regularly serviced or 'need to get to' items. We looked at them last year when re-engining our Sigma and the water pump was 'round the side/at the back' from where you normally gain access through a companionway hatch on the model we looked at. The engine is supposed to be 'Marine designed and light' but it was within 5 Kg or so of the Nanni that we ended up buying (incidentally based on the same Kubota engine that the Beta is based on. The Lombardinis do seem nicely made and the prices are all very competitive (similar) if you start flashing your cheque book at the salespeople.

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[PuffTheMagicDragon]

It all depends on the boat. The fact that the water pump is "round the side / at the back" is not a problem on my boat because she has a hatch in the cockpit sole. And, in any case, most gearboxes are "at the back" anyway.
Fair Winds!

<hr width=100% size=1>Wally

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

From memory, the timing belt is changed every 5000 hours. Allowing 500 hours per season - surely more than average for a sailing boat - translates into 10 years. Of course if the boat is a powerboat the annual hours would be greater. Looked at from another angle if my average speed is 5 knots the belt should give me 25000 miles!
As far as snapping is concerned, snagging a rope on the prop will not break the belt. Think about it: It is the engine that is driving the belt; if you pick up a rope the engine will stall / bend your shaft / wrench your mountings / shear your flexible coupling, and so on....BUT, it will not snap the timing belt.
I think!
Fair Winds!

<hr width=100% size=1>Wally

 

[dickh]

Fair enough, but my experience is that I only do about 100/150 hours per season on the engine,(sailing boat) this season, for various reasons, I've barely done 25! The biggest problem is from ageing I think, the belt just desintegrating after several years. My father in law has just had his 'M' reg Polo serviced - it's only done 14000 miles and the garage has strongly recommended the belt is replaced, not by wear/mileage but from potential ageing.
If you do pick up a rope and stall the engine, especially when at high revs, that will give a hell of a shock load to the timing belt - I've snapped a belt on an Astra some years ago, and that was when just slowing down!
Assuming your mountings and couplings are in good condition, the timing belt IMHO is the weakest link.
But, perhaps it's my conservative nature - I still have that nagging fear in the back of my mind... -

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Agree fully re the ageing. I'm not too clear as to the sudden shock load. As far as I know, the belt only drives the camshaft and I do not think that that would have enough kinetic energy to snap the belt. Perhaps I am missing something but I just cannot visualise it.
Agree with your caution, however, especially after your experience with the car. As always, prevention is always better and - like oil and filters - it does no harm to change at shorter intervals.

I too would "rather be sailing". It's pouring outside and yesterday we had 8 1/2 inches in five hours. Enough to throw the whole island in 'Tilt'!!
Fair Winds.

<hr width=100% size=1>Wally

 

[samuel]

My Lombardini ran OK-- if you discount the £ 250-00 they charged me for a new switch loom. Then of course there is the alternator. If you look at it you will see it is only attached with 2 mounting points. not 3 as you might expect. As a result any tension on the belt just distorts the alternator so the belt last 2 or 3 hours. Still at £ 3-50 per belt it is cheeper than a new mounting.
If you run the alternator at any load then the belt & means of tensioning it is rubbish.
If you need a new alternator whilst abroad it can be swapped for a FIAT one. So that demonstrates the quality !!!
Lombardini say the 10Hp engine is generator engine ,so any comment about a dedicated marine engine is rubbish.
I had mine in the second hand boat I bought . when I contacted Southampton Marine ( now defunct )the Lombardini importers & wholesalers to the end supplier, for information about the wiring etc they said any guidance about who supplied it was " priveledged information ". As the engine is not a standard marine engine the instruction book falls short of certain information.
I suggest if you want a Lombardini you look at how you get to the oil filter to change it plus other bits such as pump access. & you look at the instruction manual you get with it. A parts price list may also be worth a look.
That being said my Lombardini fitted in my Stella seemed to have a lot more power than the Yanmars etc in other Stellas ,so it does have some plus points.
It is certainly a step up from the Stuart Turner in my first Stella. NOW THERE'S A STORY.........

<hr width=100% size=1>Justisla

 

[Birdseye]

if you would happily buy a Fiat car or a Ducati motorcycle or an Indesit washing machine, then you will happily buy this engine. Me? - I'll go for something Japanese (eg Kubota, Yanmar) every time.

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