Yanmar 2GM20

[Cactus]

Hi

The good ol' Bukh has probably seen it's last days..

The replacement seems to be the Yanmar 2GM20. Anyone use one of these? Any pros / cons.. ayes or naes?


Ta

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[steve28]

I assume you mean a new 2gm20 in which case it will be a freshwater cooled.
Good things are, Fresh water cooled, smooth running, quiet ,easy to install.
Not so good, Initial price, price of spares
weak area, Mounts need to be looked after/protected as they react badly to water/oil/diesel.

This is only my findings.


steve

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[steve28]

Forgot to say,
To protect the mounts use the bottom inch of a 4 pint milk container with a hole in the middle.
Fit on top of the engine mount stud.
If you are unlucky enough to have a leak of oil,diesel or water this is enough to protect the mount.




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[Cactus]

No, it's the Raw water cooled one, I think the fresh water is 2gm20F? - and it's about £700 more expensive!

Anyway, thanks for the reply.

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[steve_cronin]

It really would be better to get the fresh water model (2GM20FW) if it fits. Keep it running at 2200rpm and supplied with clean fuel and oil and it'll last for ever!! I was really repressed to give mine away with the last boat and get a Volvo on the new one.

it really is designed to be a fresh water cooled engine and you won't get any troubles like corroded exhaust elbows or blocked water passages or running too cold. Don't you have a wife to put out on the streets to get the extra masuma?

|Can't say if the "... mountings are suceptible to damage by oils etc" Mine stayed absolutely clean for the seven years I owned it.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[yoda]

The fresh water cooled version doesn't have a hand start, if thats your thing.

Yoda

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[paulrossall]

Yes you are correct an "F" is the fresh water cooled one.
I have a 2GM20 on my Macwester 30 and it is brilliant. Very reliable, uses 1.6litres per hour, approx 3 hours running to each gallon. I think spares are reasonably priced and Barrus, the main importer, are helpfull. They have starting handle which is usefull if battery does go down, which has not happened to me but I have hand started just to make sure I could do it.
They are designed to be sea water cooled so don't worry about corrosion. I have checked my exhaust elbow and it is fine after 1000 hours running. It is 8 years old.
I would only replace any boat engine with a Yanmar. They are also very quiet. IMHO. Paul

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[dulcibella]

Very happy with the 2GM20 (FW) on my previous boat. I agree with other respondents about the FW version being worth the extra cash. Make sure you change the rew water impeller annually - otherwise it tends to fail at sea in year 2!

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[snowleopard]

i have the raw water cooled version ( the 3gm30 in fact but differences are slight). it runs a bit cooler that the fresh water version but is lighter and needs less height over the bearers. you can't run a calorifier off it.

it has hand start but i've nearly ruptured myself trying to start it and never succeeded in getting it over the 1st compression. whar a wimp! perhaps i could doo it given enough adrenalin, approaching rocks, supertanker etc.

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[Birdseye]

Had a raw water cooled "gm20 which I replaced with cylinder head problems after 13 years in anticipation of a trip to the Med. When I took the old one to bits, I was really impressed by the state of the internals. Being designed for rawwater cooling, the internal corrosion was negligible, and this was reflected in the dealers willingness to give me a good part ex price. I didnt hesitate to buy another raw water cooled engine.

You can fit a calorimeter to a raw water cooled engine - the water wont get anything like as hot since the engine cooling water will be at a much lower temp to avoid salt precipitation. Nevertheless, it does work well - have a pal who has taken this line. Personally, I much prefer the gas water heater since it gives instant hot water without engine running.

The Yanmar engine is noisier and rougher (IMHO) than the beta of the same power. Next time, I would chose a Beta, about which I have heard nothing but excellent reports. And its much cheaper.

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[pandroid]

I had a raw water cooled 2GM20 for about 8 years (2 years old when I got it) and despite the fact that the only service I did on it was to change the oil and occasionally the impeller, it was an excellent engine. Never had any problems with it. Probably rather naughtily I also didnt change the cylinder anodes as often as I should have as they were difficult to get undone. I didnt find spares too bad - especially compared to the Volvo I've got now.

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[penfold]

What about getting another Bukh? Surely that would save a packet on installation costs? I know they cost a bit more but it isn't that much. If you are paying someone to do the installation it's likely to cost a lot more with a different engine type.

cheers,
david

<hr width=100% size=1>This candidate has low personal standards, and continually fails to meet them.

 

[Cactus]

The Bukhs are really the dogs cogs for marine engines... and the cost reflects this!

I think you'll pay nearly double the price for a BUKH, and as it'll be a bigger engine with more horses, we'll need all new shafts, coupling props etc.

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