Which engine would you choose.

Sneaky Pete

Sneaky Pete

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Looking for some advice. There are particular numbers of this model of boat on the market at the moment all are twin engine with stern drives. Engine options are KAD43’s, D4-210hp, KAD32 or D4-260hp. Which of the engines will be the most cost effective to run and maintain?
 
That's quite a range, so guessing it's a large boat and needs the ponies I'd say KAD43 (otherwise the 32), though that is not the same as saying which is the best engine nor best fit to the boat, just that its a simple engine and easier and cheaper to maintain when big parts go wrong. Conversely, not all parts are readily available.
 
I would slightly disagree there Bruce as it is torque and torque delivery which are more important and as for engines, it is a case of researching actual consumption figures and engine costs in the specific application.
 
Well, assuming that each engine had been appropriately matched to the particular boat by the manufacturer then it would always be the KAD series for me. Sure, the D series might be smoother and more economical but with plenty of electronics to go wrong, lots of sensors to put you in limp mode and expensive long-term maintenance costs they wouldn’t be my first choice. Just personal preference from an owner / maintainer :)
 
I am just now changing the oil in my kad32's.
No issues buying aftermarket oil filters which are cheap . Oil if the correct spec but not VP branded arrived yesterday at £57 for 20 litres including delivery which leaves some left over.
Fuel filters are not expensive. Air filters are same as a Volvo 240 car and very cheap.
Belts - do use Volvo Penta as alternatives of apparent good brands dont seem quite the same. My present belts have been on 4 years.
Impellers made in Italy changed in the spring at half the Volvo Penta price and are performing okay.
I guess a kad43 is much the same but needs more oil.
Because my engine bay can take 6 cylinder engines there is plenty of room for the oil chang and any other jobs.
 
petem said:
Hi Bruce, just out of interest, what's no longer available?
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hard to source Pete. Not the common items but things like tube stacks or valve covers cannot be had. The former is now an entire part the latter simply no longer produced. There are many things like this.
 
Out of the choices listed I would opt of the KAD series every time. I'm not a fan of the D series, particularly the early ones, which I suspect you might be looking at. Now, if the same boat is offered with KAD32 and KAD43, I would guess that the 32 powered version might be a bit underpowered, and as you never hear anyone say they wish they had less power, I would go with the KAD43. This engine is a particular favourite of mine, as it is basically a KAD42 with the problems fixed, or a KAD44 (with 30 less HP, I know) without the more complex 24 valve system.
 
BruceK said:
hard to source Pete. Not the common items but things like tube stacks or valve covers cannot be had. The former is now an entire part the latter simply no longer produced. There are many things like this.
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Understood, I had noticed that they'd stopped providing some individual parts and required you to buy some complete units (control heads for example). But I get the impression that everything to keep an engine running is available in one form or another. And you rarely see used engines for sale or ones breaking for parts so they seem to be far from end of life at present.
 
petem said:
Understood, I had noticed that they'd stopped providing some individual parts and required you to buy some complete units (control heads for example). But I get the impression that everything to keep an engine running is available in one form or another. And you rarely see used engines for sale or ones breaking for parts so they seem to be far from end of life at present.
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What I was driving at was in some cases the KAD would not be cheaper because you have to buy an entire part. So for instance replacing an entire oil cooler and the bypass valve gubbins it sits on rather than just the core (because they went and upgraded the part). Happened to me. Or having to replace both outdrive propshafts because they upgraded a single part. Happened to me. Overall though I still think it's a cheaper engine to maintain and repair when things go wrong.
 
Sounds like a sealine S34.

KAD43s probably the simplest best overall efficiency.
D4s will be better on fuel but more costly to service.

KAD32 will be ok as the 43s until the boat gets dirty when you’ll be running them at the upper end of their envelope.

ALL other things being equal I’d go KAD43s
 
Impossible to answer without knowing the boat. What might be preferable in one boat might not be in another.

As to KAD or D, I'd take the D. When did KAD go out of production, 10 years ago? Even if not now, there's going to come a time when people aren't going to want the 'old' engines when you're trying to resell.
 
Sneaky Pete said:
Looking for some advice. There are particular numbers of this model of boat on the market at the moment all are twin engine with stern drives. Engine options are KAD43’s, D4-210hp, KAD32 or D4-260hp. Which of the engines will be the most cost effective to run and maintain?
Click to expand...
They stopped building the KADs about 15 years ago. Some major components are no longer available. There will come a day in the future when many components are not in production the question is when?
I am surprised that if the boat was fitted with D4 260’s if it would perform well with KAD 32’s
Why were the KAD 44 and 300 not on this list?
If you are thinking about keeping the boat for at least 5 years I would go for the D4 260 for parts and ease of vessel resale.
 
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