Starting engines on shore

[truro expat]

Hi I have been asked by a broker for an engine survey and they want to run my volvo d13s 900hp out of the water which I have never heard of before.
Is that ok to do as to me it seams risky given the impellers and water cooling etc?
Thanks

 

[Sianna]

either sort out some engine leg muffs for the water cooling if it's on an outdrive or I have removed the impeller, before starting the engine on land to warm the engine oil through before a service, without any problems.

 

[dankilb]

It’s possible to do safely but is a bit of an operation. I should imagine engines of that size would need more than a domestic hose poked into the inlet strainer. Our yard also requires their permission to run engines on the hard.

Perhaps the surveyor/broker/purchaser could commission a trusted engineer or the yard to undertake the work (and take responsibility for it)?

Or a full sea trial could be an alternative?

 

[truro expat]

They bare doing a full seat trial and its usual to do it in the water hence why i am asking why do it on shore, its also under cover and i assume they need to get the engines up to temp to check for alarms etc. My thoughts were that the impellers would be shot!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

D13s. I wouldn’t permit it under any circumstance. No way a cooling water supply could be adequately provided on shore. Do the sea trial.

 

[ChromeDome]

As a buyer, I'd be most interested in trialling the engines under load, a task that can never be undertaken on the hard.

Cooling is crucial - don't accept compromises - if they do not buy it, YOU are left with the consequences

 

[dankilb]

D13s. I wouldn’t permit it under any circumstance. No way a cooling water supply could be adequately provided on shore. Do the sea trial.

I do share the sentiment!

In theory, could it suck safely from an IBT full of water?!

Does seem a lot of faff (and/or a daft request!)

 

[itspaul]

no don’t let them start them out of the water the impellers will be toast in a matter off minutes. …

 

[Scubadoo]

If it were me, I wouldn't take the risk or hassle and why should you. Also, due to engine vibration, make sure the boat supports have been checked, usually Marinas don't allow it unless specifically approved.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I do share the sentiment!

In theory, could it suck safely from an IBT full of water?!

Does seem a lot of faff (and/or a daft request!)

I‘d think it would suck that dry in a couple of minutes.

 

[ChromeDome]

C'mon -

• removing impellers - NO because you want coolant to the exhaust and turbos et al
• hosing water into strainers - NO because even at idle you can't provide enough water for these big impeller pumps
• running until warm on the hard - NO as per above
• evaluating the condition of the engines on the hard - YES if you put them onto a dyno (which you don't because launching the boat costs a 10th)

The budget range here certainly will make the cost of a launch irrelevant, so just do it (the right way).

 

[truro expat]

Ok thanks for all the swift replies I have said no to starting the engines out of the water.

 

[James jameson]

Sounds like you need a new broker that knows what he’s talking about !

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Ok thanks for all the swift replies I have said no to starting the engines out of the water.

I think that’s wise. Wonder what possessed the buyer/ broker to think that this would be a good idea?

 

[ICTM]

Ok thanks for all the swift replies I have said no to starting the engines out of the water.

Correct decision IMHO. Daft of the broker not to have said no immediately on your behalf !

 

[penfold]

As others have identified short of an IBC on a scaffold/held up by a telehandler/forklift or a connection to a fire hydrant there's no way to supply enough water and most yards will respond to a request to run engines in a shed with "No". Even test running Perkins 6354s from a garden hose on a tap was only practical at idle and they're much smaller. All pointless if a seatrial is happening anyway.