Vire 6

[terrymay]

I am nearing the end of the restoration of a 1972 Valiant 18 Sloop. Due to unforeseen events, this is the fifth year of a two year project. With the boat came a sorry looking Vire 6. The boat had been in this chaps garden for 6 years and was full to the cabin with water, (at least there were no holes in her)!!!!
Anyway this engine, dynostart, and the voltage regulator had been submerged for most of this time, To cut this story short, I cleaned and stripped everything, and with the help of Nick Le Feuvre, it now all works, even the regulator! If anyone is interested I have before and after pics. After getting up close and personal with this surpurb piece of engineering I've fallen in love with it and she sounds perfect. Again I'd like to thank Nick for the parts I needed, and his advise, and paitence!
I would like to chat with anyone who still runs a Vire down below

 

[VicS]

After getting up close and personal with this surpurb piece of engineering I've fallen in love with it and she sounds perfect.

But you've not yet used it to propel the boat for any significant distance ?

 

[Tranona]

But you've not yet used it to propel the boat for any significant distance ?

Don't be so cynical, Vic. When they run they are superb (bit like a Stuart Turner but running at twice the speed) - it is just when they decide not to run that you could fall out of love very quickly.

 

[terrymay]

The engine is in the boat, and had several test runs. To hear her after all she has happened to her, it could have sounded like the mother-in-law and I would still love it, But knowing this I could never sell her on with a clear conscience !

 

[bljones]

The engine is in the boat, and had several test runs. To hear her after all she has happened to her, it could have sounded like the mother-in-law and I would still love it, But knowing this I could never sell her on with a clear conscience !

Who in their right mind would buy a used mother-in-law?

 

[VicS]

Who in their right mind would buy a used mother-in-law?

My mother in law was a test pilot ................in a broom factory

 

[rob2]

Vire engines are indeed delightful in their engineering concept. The two weaknesses we found before eventually giving up and fitting a diesel were the electrics and the carburation.

The electrics are simply prone to failure as they do not work when wet - not usually a problem - and the Dynastart can overheat and unsolder itself. Some people have removed the generator problem by not using it and fitting an alternator if they have the room.

The carburation is an eminently suitable system as it is based on the principle employed with a chainsaw, the crankcase pressure pulses are used to pump the fuel via a diaphragm. What killed ours (we discovered after the new diesel was in place) was that when the throttle is closed, it exposes a bleed hole to allow the pressure to relieve. After years in a salt laden environment, the aluminium had corroded and closed the hole so that when you closed the throttle the engine flooded, wetting the plug and preventing a restart. A new carb would have sorted it!

Rob.

 

[bljones]

Huh, a British engine with common carb and electrics problems. Who woulda thunk it?


Seriously, I agree regarding the simplicity and design of the Vire briefcase engine- wonderful design let down by just a couple of parts.

 

[Niander]

I would like to see it running why not put on youtube?
and link
and link to pics?

 

[Niander]

I also rebuilt a totally submerged for a considerable time engine
but it was a Yanmar 1GM10
the seals held out the water apart from a slight amount

 

[Tranona]

Huh, a British engine with common carb and electrics problems. Who woulda thunk it?


Seriously, I agree regarding the simplicity and design of the Vire briefcase engine- wonderful design let down by just a couple of parts.

Not British. Made in Finland.

 

[bljones]

Not British. Made in Finland.

Ah, but IMMERSED in the UK, thus picking up UK engine maladies by osmosis.

(Seriously, I always thought they were a British engine for some reason.)

 

[Behome]

Just remember to carry a good stock of spare spark plugs.
We went to the Med through the canal system in the late 70's on a Snapdragon 670 with the deadly Vire. It got us there and back without breaking or us replacing anything but plugs (a lot!) when it got a bit hot. Had the nasty habit of cutting out at the critical moment as you throttled back entering harbour.

Dynostart is a misnomer, you'll probably need to help it with the pull cord to start cold.

 

[terrymay]

I would like to see it running why not put on youtube?
and link
and link to pics?

Give us a couple of days I'll try to get them on utube, thanks for the replies, Had a few british bikes in the past, so I'm used to things not working!

 

[SHUG]

Just heard on telly this morning on the Wright Stuff that to take an old neglected engine, dismantle it, carefully re-assemble it and get it to start again is better than sex. Eh Terry??? It may be too exciting to put on Youtube