Vetus engines

[Ariadne]

I'm going to be replaceing my MD21b (hopefully) with a new Vetus VH480 & saildrive. This engine seem to have a good press, but does anybody out there have any first hand experience of them, if so what are they like in practice?

Are/which non Vetus fuel and oil filters compatable? Are spares (e.g. anodes for the engine and saildrive) easy to get hold of outside Europe?

 

[aluijten]

Being from the home country of Vetus (Holland) but not having personal experience, I can only tell you what I've heard.
The engines on itself can be very good (mostly Japanese stuff). However as Vetus does not manufacture these themselves they have a tendency to change models quite frequently, also for all the bolted on stuff (alternators etc.) this makes servicing these engines a potential nightmare in the long run.
One of the most important reasons to stick to Volvo or Yanmar is the worldwide presence of these engines. It does come at a cost though.

Cheers,

Arno

 

[Ariadne]

Not so good then?

 

[PetiteFleur]

When I researched new engines about three years ago, the Vetus(Mitsubishi based) was the cheapest but it had the following points which I did not like - no handpump for changing the oil, you had to suck it out through the dip stick hole(have you ever done this? it's a real pain!); the seawater pump was behind the front of the engine and on my installation would have been difficult to replace the impellor quickly and easily; only a standard engine offered with no mods at all which is fine if the new engine just drops onto the original bearers. As I said it was the cheapest, but in the end I went for a Beta Marine as they made the engine mounts wider to suit my bearers and they had other options like a high rise exhaust. Don't forget that you may need a new exhaust system, water trap, gooseneck)check which side thye exhaust is on). On my installation I took the opportunity to replace the sound insulation, non-drip stern gland, fuel filters, fuel line, fuel tank and also fitted a high up inlet water strainer. Spares should be easy to get hold of in Europe and you should be able to get compatible filters etc worldwide. Not sure about other engine spares though, ask them whet their worldwide spare network is like. Other engines you should consider are Nanni(Kubota), Volvo Penta, Yanmar and Thornycroft(Mitsubishi).

 

[sailorman]

Go Beta mainly Kubota based parts available any where

 

[aluijten]

It's up to you, but I would not buy one myself. If you are thinking about cruising outside Europe, I would be more interested systems that can be maintained in most part of the world without the need for flying in stuff from wherever... I think the English call this "false economy".

Having a Volvo Penta or a Yanmar might be more expensive but spare parts are available at a lot more places. With Vetus (as I have understood) it also means you first need find out for your specific model and version what spares are required and then you still need to get hold of those spares.

But maybe there is someone around that has more close experience with these engines...
Beware, I did not say the engines are of bad qualitiy!

Cheers,

Arno

 

[willie4646]

I concur with sailorman cheaper industrial spares and a good reliable power plant. After sales service excellent.
Willie

 

[sailorman]

My Nanni 4150 HE has now done 680 faultless hrs ( apart from alternator belts slipping /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif) generic filters foo the shelf @ local factors all the servuice bits accessable + the oil pump out pump

 

[boatmike]

I have a Mitsubishi/Vetus M4. Thats a 4 cylinder 32HP 1500cc jobbie. The engine is superb and being based on an industrial engine is in my opinion better than many engines built specifically for the marine leisure market. You can buy Mitsubishi spares anywhere in the world if you know what engine you have (I know the industrial equivalent of mine but have never needed spares). I have replaced the alternator with a 90 Amp one easily buy filters from an automotive supplier and belts from an industrial belting specialist. The marinising bits are of good quality and I have never needed replacement of anything critical. What more can I say? Excellent engine, does what I ask of it (and thats a lot!) never had a problem.

 

[michael_w]

Take a look at Westerbeke . Based on the Mitsubishi block too. I'm delighted with my recently fitted 35D three.

One advantage of having an American engine is their service ethic. No " I'm sorry sir, as the factory is closed for August we can't supply the spare you want". Instead, "Yes sir, it's dispatched and Fedex will get it to you tomorrow".

 

[Twister_Ken]

"no handpump for changing the oil, you had to suck it out through the dip stick hole(have you ever done this? it's a real pain!)"

Eh? It's dead easy, and doesn't hurt at all. Mind you, I use a vacuum pump, not my mouth.

 

[Ariadne]

The VH4.80 is based on a Hyundai engine, but I'm not sure which model; once I know I'm sure spares will be easilly avalable, as I'm sure FRAM will produce a standard filter to fit it.

Having the raw water pump inward facing is a good point as I don't have good access to the front of the engine, and changing the pump on my existing engine means removing the complete raw water pump assembly. The exhaust is on the right side for me no problem there, but I may have to move the raw water intake from the stbd side to the pt side. On the saildrive which comes with this engine you can do a complete oil change without having to lift the boat.