look again..and vire engines

[blue_anchor]

i spent a few days looking over a boat,thought id covered everything..until one last visit..thanks to the forum((yes,it works!!)..a 99p set of calipers was well worth it..on this sloop,everything was promising ,until i rechecked the skeg-both mouldings were asymmetrical by 3-5 mill,following through,it ran through the hull,crudely overlapped until disguised by filler/gelcoat..no wonder she had never been dieseled in years..with 3 tons drying..sometimes it pays to take a step back when buying..likewise,im looking at another boat tomorow,but the feedback from the website on looksmart on vire marine engines leaves me cold,would be glad to hear otherwise from other happy vire owners(2stroke petrol)!!regards,jamie

 

[martinb]

I have had my boat for a season, fitted with a Vire 7, and apart from the odd hiccup has proved reliable. The engine is 30 years old and has never needed a rebuild, although I shall be taking it apart this winter. The biggest problem is the engines dislike for running for extended periods in gear on idle/very low rpm. I was often caught out as I came in to moor with the engine cutting out at a critical moment and although it always restarts immediately, when the ignition switch is down below it cause a few nervous moments. Now I am aware of the problem I use slightly higher rpm and keep taking the engine out of gear.
The engine has never failed to start and the only problem I have had is two impellor failures due to the rubber coming away from the brass boss, this is due to poor quality parts rather than an inherant problem. However the impellor housing is at the back of the engine and very difficult to get to in my installation so worth bearing in mind.

I have been toying with the idea of fitting a second hand deisel but when I see the problems friends have with old deisels I think I'll stick with my old 2 stroke.

Martin

 

[oldharry]

Like most 2 strokes - nowt wrong with the Vire - IF youve got a good one.

And like most 2 strokes a total pain if its wearing out - worn crank seals being the major cuplrit causing crankcase compression loss leading to bad starting, poor or non-existent tickover, oiling plugs, and various other ills. Worn bores, bearings and suchlike all add to the sorry tale.

A surprisingly common fault with the Vires was caused by the flexible rubber exhaust hoses, which were fine as long as there was ample cooling water. If the cooling failed (blocked inlet, failing impellor etc) then the inside lining of the exhaust overheated, began to melt and break up, allowing flaps of partly detached liner to block the exhaust stopping the engine dead even at full throttle. They started again instantly as the flap sprang back and ran pefectly until a flap dropped down and blocked it again which could be anything from 10 seconds to ten minutes! Infuriating and impossible to find what was going on unless you knew about it!

Check the inside of the exhaust at the engine end; it should be more or less smooth. If it is a mass of irregular ridges and grooves its been cooked.....

But before you write off all 2 strokes as rubbish, just remember the vast majority of modern outboards are 2 strokes, chuffering away quite happily and often not so well cared for as most inboards. except outboards dont have rubber exhaust pipes....

 

[DavidTocher]

I've a Galion 22 fitted with a Vire 6 (circa 1969) which runs well since I replaced the carb. The only other problem was failed seals which let the gear box fill with water. I sail on a lake so at least it was fresh water!

I have motored for up to 6 hours at a time without any problems.

As others have said it doesn't like idling, mine cuts out after about 5mins idling. It runs 20:1 and is very non-green leaving a slick of oil behind it. It uses about 1 litre an hour.

David

David

 

[bob26]

The unofficial Vire Owners site is useful:

http://gofree.indigo.ie/~vire7/home.htm

 

[pc_eye]

You might be interested in our website at www.galion.free-online.co.uk
Regards
Keith Hughes

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