New boat old engine what now?

[deep pockets]

Hello to all. I've just got myself a new (for me) boat. It's a Hanse 300 in immaculate condition but the engine hasn't been used since 2011 as its been on the hard since then. The water has been removed from the hoses and the impeller taken out. There has been no freezing as it was frost free but I wonder are there a set of procedures I should do (it passes survey with flying colours) before its put back in the water and I get the engine serviced. Can I just put back the impeller, open the water inlet and start her up to get to her berth? I don't know anything about engines - yet. But I intend to over the coming months.

 

[garvellachs]

You will need to be assured that there are enough amp-hours in the battery, that the belts are tensioned, that fuel is flowing, and that the raw water cooling system will self-prime. Sometimes the raw water pump won't draw water up without being primed first (through the water filter maybe?). Make sure the impellor is lubricated (vaseline, silicone grease or similar) when re-fitted so that it won't overheat in the moments before water arrives. Water should and must emerge from the exhaust very soon after the engine is started - otherwise stop the engine and find out why. The exhaust is too hot for the exhaust hose without water.

I assume it has a saildrive? Otherwise you may need to burp the shaft seal too.

If this is your first time with a boat engine, perhaps you can persuade the previous owner to come and help, or a more-experienced friend to attend?

 

[Cloven]

No reason the engine should not be started on the hard as long as you can get a water supply to the raw water pump. Mechanics (& owners) service engines in this way while boats are on the hard all the time. Also, if there are any problems, probably easier to sort out before the boat is on the water.

 

[Bilgediver]

No reason the engine should not be started on the hard as long as you can get a water supply to the raw water pump. Mechanics (& owners) service engines in this way while boats are on the hard all the time. Also, if there are any problems, probably easier to sort out before the boat is on the water.

Do not forget that the water must not be turned on until the engine is running. It is safer to make the engine pump draw from a bucket which you can top up with a hose.

The engine needs to be running to ensure there is no backflow of water back to the valves from the exhaust.

 

[prv]

No reason the engine should not be started on the hard as long as you can get a water supply to the raw water pump

No reason related to the engine, but some yards don't like people doing it as they believe the vibration will loosen the shores. Not sure how serious a risk it is in reality, but perhaps worth checking.

If the yard don't object (or if you're prepared to do it anyway ) I would definitely run up the engine ashore. I always did on KS even when she'd only been ashore a few months - you won't be popular if they lift you in and you're stranded in the travelift dock unable to move clear (someone did that ahead of us one year and we almost missed our tide to get in).

Pete

 

[macd]

No reason the engine should not be started on the hard as long as you can get a water supply to the raw water pump. Mechanics (& owners) service engines in this way while boats are on the hard all the time. Also, if there are any problems, probably easier to sort out before the boat is on the water.

All true, but since the OP describes himself as a novice with engines, it's vital he's aware of the possibility of back-filling the cylinders. The simplest and safest method is to allow the engine to draw water from a bucket which is in turn filled by a hose. On no account should a hose feed directly into the engine's sea water intake. He'd be best advised to have someone more savvy around while doing this.

 

[tichmarshjohn]

hi if the engine has not run for a few years you could have rust in the cylinder bores .I have had this happen to me some years back. If you can try to turn the engine over by hand first.I removed the injectors sprayed wd40 down the cylinder bores left it for three days to soke.Then i turned the engine over by puting a socket on the flywheel pulley.she did smoke quite a bit at first on start up. This engine had not run for five years .but if i had not done this procedure first i think it would have broken a ring.