Which engine Beta or Bukh?

[freeman]

Which engine should I go for?
A 4 cyl Beta or a turbo charged 2 cyl Bukh
All advice greatfully recieved. thanks

 

[sailorman]

Beta
i have the Nanni 4150 its now 3 yrs old around 360 hrs exellent engine but more expensive than the Beta based on same Kubota base unit

 

[ChrisE]

I have no knowledge of the Bukh but have, this season, re-engined with a 37.5 hp Beta and very please I am with it. Both in terms of performance, it sips abt 2l/hr at 1700 revs and starts well and the pre and post sales support of Betamarine.

 

[Hazymoonshine]

I have the Beta 13.5,and have been delighted both with it, and the service I have received from Beta.

J

 

[oldharry]

Come on you Bukh fans - we cant let all these Beta types get away with this heresy! Bukh is a brilliant purpose built marine engine, which does what it is meant to smoothly, economically and reliably. It has an efficient dealer network to back it, and the makers are incredibly helpful if you do have problems. They are normally ultra reliable - most of the tales against them come from the fact that they have now been around for over 30 years, and some of the earlier ones are beginning to wear out and become unreliable.

Will current Betas still be running as well in 30 years time? (That is assuming we still have oil to run them on.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif)

 

[Kilter]

No direct experience of Beta but people seem happy with them. Had a Bukh in the last boat and it was a great engine and would be my choice if re-engining

 

[bobgosling]

I have a 20hp Beta. Looks very solid and has been reliable so far. You have to get spares from a Beta dealer or directly from Beta, not like more popular (?) manufacturers like Volvo Penta, which every swindlery in the world seems hold spares for.

 

[ChrisE]

Yup, altho' Beta do a £75 maintenance pack in a nice plastic box. You get the following:

2 X oil filter
1 X fuel filter
1 X air filter
2 X o ring
1 X fuse
1 X belt
1 X impeller
1 X impeller gasket / o ring
1 X anode

Don't know whether this is good value but for a technoklutz like me it is a mighty handy offering.

 

[bigmart]

I'm just buying a Beta. Bukh smallest engine is 20HP & thats more than I need. The Bukh has an enviable reputation but the two little words Turbo Charged would put me off.

For a boat engine I want things as simple as possible & High speed whizzing Fans are one complication too far.

Martin

 

[jamesjermain]

I agree about the Torbo Charged bit. I cannot comment specifically on the reliability of the Bukh turbo model but, as a general principle, turbo diesels have proved to be unsuitable for use in yachts.

Some while ago yacht builders had a flirtation with turbos and they were fitted all over the place - lighter smaller etc. But it is, I think, significant that no major builder fits them anymore. Basically they proved unreliable and cost more in maintenance.

Of course, none of this may apply to the current generation of Bukhs, of which I have had no experience.

 

[Talbot]

Working on the Kiss principle - I would not touch a turbo for a sail boat .

 

[derekgillard]

Just been through this myself Bukh is 20 years old and costing too much to keep going looked at new Bukh & Beta but bought a Yanmar, overall I reckon it was a better deal.

Derek

 

[SimonJ]

BUKH and Beta are both good engines. If you already have a Bukh you are probably better to reengine with a BUKH.
Remember if you put a different engine in you will probably a need shaft, propeller, engine mount arrangement. If you replace a Bukh 20 with a Bukh 24 (its successor) it will take 2-3hrs as it uses same mounts etc and has same footprint. Replace with a Beta and you will have a week of work and extra expenses!
If you are putting in new everything anyway then Beta is probably a better option - lighter and cheaper at least in the short term. If you have to be on salt water cooling Bukh is made for it.
Good luck with your decision.
PS I have a Bukh and Bukh in Poole are VERY helpful and go direct to them for best price!

 

[Norman_E]

I thought Yanmar still supply turbo engines, and they have a good reputation.

 

[Birdseye]

Which do you think would be more reliable - a Morris Minor made today or a Ford Escort? Bit the same with the Bukh and the Beta. We have made progress. Modern products are better than their equivalent 30 years ago.

 

[cliff]

See quite a lot of morris minors still on the road from 30 years ago and older but do not see so many ford escorts on the roads these days even if they would be newer and more modern /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The older cars were better built albeit they needed regular servicing.

As for old designs, many were ahead of their time and should not be classed as obsolete or "old Technology".
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[DeeGee]

Not sure about 4-cylinder but my wonderful 28hp Beta is fine................

EXCEPT............

It gets through fan-belts quite quickly,and mine is not alone, as confirmed by a fair number of other peeps. But I am prepared to put up with that one failing for otherwise starts every time and goes and goes and goes... easily serviced.

 

[alahol2]

At the risk of hijacking a thread, I serviced my Beta 13.5 today, book says change fuel filter after 750 hours. That's about 10 years time for me, should I change it? Also my in-engine anode was completely gone, is this normal?

 

[cliff]

Oil filter yes most certainly - at least once a season - 750hrs does seem a little long between oil changes.

The Betas do eat anodes in my experience - not only dod mine but I have heard the same comment from other who have beta engines - up 3 per season - and they are not cheap!
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[alahol2]

Oil filter changed, it's the fuel filter supposed to be 750 hrs.
Do you check your engine anode mid season?