Show stopper?

[Quest]

The Prestige 34 I was buying has a port-side engine problem, with the engine overheating at full throttle (VP D4 260's). No problem upto a certain point but when opened up fully the temperature starts to rise.

Now I'm not technical but I understand that a number of things have been checked by the VP dealer all to no avail, leaving the final option being to strip down the cooling system. - major job!

My understanding is there was no sign of physical blockage, the laptop didn't diagnose any problem, impellers have been changed, injectors have been changed...not sure what else might have been looked at but I believe all options short of stripping down the system.

My question is, when this problem is located and sorted, should I proceed with the sale or should I be worried and allow this issue to sufficiently alarm me to pull out completely?

 

[aquapower]

I would like to know the cause of the problem first and then decide if worth buying or not

 

[oldgit]

Provided the problem is sorted properly by the vendor ,there is no real reason not to proceed with the purchase if this is the right boat for you.
Many sales throw up problems such as this,are fixed and the sale continues.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Did you check following;
- with a few broken impellers it is very usual to have the sea water pipe full of plastic bits. Check the pipe which leads from stern drive in the engine room to the impeller pump
- another not to disclose problem is to have weed on the stern drive sea water intake
- cleaning of heat exchanger

Changing injectors, was useless IMO in an engine temperature problem. If also the impellors looks in good condition it show it is not the problem.

 

[rafiki_]

Once fixed, you need to ascertain if there has been any consequential damage, due to the overheating. I am not familiar with the electronics on this engine, but it may record the peak temps, and if you can find these, then it may either alarm you, or allay your concerns. VovloPaul and Latestarter are excellent sources of detailed knowledge on this forum.

When I bought Rafiki, she had just had the port short engine changed, complete with warranty, which for me was OK. This was as a result of overheating due to a blocked heat exchanger. I now keep a very close eye on the temps, and cleaned the ht ex out last winter.

 

[Firefly625]

I would be concerned how hot it had previously got on other outings as this may effect the longevity of the engine even when the cooling system stripped and flushed and all running as it should..

 

[davo]

i think i would agree with firefly625, the damage to the engine might already have been done, is there anyway you can find out how long the engine has had this problem, Channing the injectors for an overheating problem sounds a bit amateurish

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

How many hours, and how old is the engine?

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[Quest]

Show Stopper?

Thanks Gents. All noted.

Jimmy - 2007 engines with just over 200 hrs.

Mix of emotions - firstly, frustrated at this development but secondly, relieved this came to light before not after!

Thanks again,

Andrew

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Hi Andrew

I was just thinking about furred up heat exchangers, a prob I've had a couple of times. But the boat is too young, I think, the hours too low - and if it was just age- or use- related furring-up, then you'd probably see the symptoms on both engines.

I'd say that aquapower has it right. Let the vendor resolve, and then decide what to do. Best of luck.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[AdeOlly]

Hi Andrew - Agree with JTB, at 200 hrs it can't be furred up. Much more likely a blockage somewhere, but I second the opinions of others to let the vendor fix it, and also validate it hasn't been cooked.

Just a thought - have they checked the thermostats?

Assuming the boat otherwise performed I wouldn't pull out at the mo

 

[BrendanS]

Get a warranty for an extended period to cover any likelihood of consequential damage. They'll fight hard not to give it

 

[dpb]

I have had a similar issue and after much head scratching, bought an infra red thermometer to take some readings when over heating.
Usefull bit of kit as you can use it to compare the inlet and outlet temp of the hoses to / from the heat exchanger for example.
Anyway, turned out the engine wasn't overheating at all, all readings almost exactly the same as the other engine , was the gauge / sender which with use seems to be sorting itself out!

 

[longjohnsilver]

VolvoPaul is the chap to ask. Could be something very simple which has been missed or could be a bigger problem. Certainly needs sorting before you make any commitment. In the meantime keep on looking.

 

[Quest]

Good stuff, thanks again gents. Am exploring another option but I'll continue to monitor how things go with the work on this boat too.

 

[Cashbuyer]

Prestige 34 - not the rarest beast so another one will come along very soon. Walk away until/unless the vendor agrees to total fix. Even then you'll always have a niggle and be watching the guages. Your confidence in this particular boat has been knocked. I wouldn't rush into it... Weather is pants anyway so not much boating to be done!

 

[volvopaul]

Jimmy, not on d4s it's not, the heat exchanger is quite short and only has to have a couple of tubes blocked up to fail in it's duty.

Sound like the dealer has messed around in looking at other areas where I'd have gone straight to the coolers, it's the only component in the chain to fail.

Rydelime will do the job but f I were the buyer I'd be insisting on a removal of the heat ex and intercooler, a proper strip down, reseal and refit with new coolant.

 

[volvopaul]

Hi Andrew - Agree with JTB, at 200 hrs it can't be furred up. Much more likely a blockage somewhere, but I second the opinions of others to let the vendor fix it, and also validate it hasn't been cooked.

Just a thought - have they checked the thermostats?

Assuming the boat otherwise performed I wouldn't pull out at the mo

Hours are irrelevant it's more due to how long it's been stood idle, marine growth in heat exchangers grows when the water isn't flowing.

 

[volvopaul]

The Prestige 34 I was buying has a port-side engine problem, with the engine overheating at full throttle (VP D4 260's). No problem upto a certain point but when opened up fully the temperature starts to rise.

Now I'm not technical but I understand that a number of things have been checked by the VP dealer all to no avail, leaving the final option being to strip down the cooling system. - major job!

My understanding is there was no sign of physical blockage, the laptop didn't diagnose any problem, impellers have been changed, injectors have been changed...not sure what else might have been looked at but I believe all options short of stripping down the system.

My question is, when this problem is located and sorted, should I proceed with the sale or should I be worried and allow this issue to sufficiently alarm me to pull out completely?

I have not followed your post till now.

I have worked on many prestige 32 and 36, the port engine on any model boat wether kads or d range is a nightmare to work on, Mark santer owner os due south will know this, he was with me last week when I serviced due south for him, it's a 2 man job to change the intercooler anode! Due to how the stupid French builders literally have no idea how to build boats, they don't even plce the port engine racor filter where you can get to change the filter, and most stupid of All the exhaust runs over the top of it, clearly some of the worst boat building design in the engine bay area I have ever had to work on.

To remove the heat exchanger and intercooler on a prestige 32 or 36 would be a major task unless you are prepared to remove a lot of the port settee to gain access to the engine properly.

 

[AdeOlly]

I have not followed your post till now.

I have worked on many prestige 32 and 36, the port engine on any model boat wether kads or d range is a nightmare to work on, Mark santer owner os due south will know this, he was with me last week when I serviced due south for him, it's a 2 man job to change the intercooler anode! Due to how the stupid French builders literally have no idea how to build boats, they don't even plce the port engine racor filter where you can get to change the filter, and most stupid of All the exhaust runs over the top of it, clearly some of the worst boat building design in the engine bay area I have ever had to work on.

To remove the heat exchanger and intercooler on a prestige 32 or 36 would be a major task unless you are prepared to remove a lot of the port settee to gain access to the engine properly.

Paul - it's a Prestige 34 on outdrives, not a f/b shaftdrive job. The whole aft section of cockpit floor opens up on the 34, port engine access is easy, removing the intercoolers will not be a problem. I know this as I have one

Do non agree with your derogatory comments about the French not knowing how to build boats either, at least as far as the 34 goes. Much of the design and build on the 34 is streets ahead of both my previous Sealine and Hardy. Can't comment on the 32 and 36.