FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Following other posts here, I can confirm that Yanmar today exchanged my Heat Exchanger for a newer design with a different fin density.
The engine numbers affected are all those up to approx number 3500, mine was 3179.
No real fuss or argument, except they had their Yanmar dealer (excellent and courteous service, a credit to themselves, take a bow French Marine) change the coolant and clean the heat exchanger first, which in my case did not work.
I first encountered the issue this year, when chasing Magna Carter to get some good photos, at 3650, full revs for about 10 minutes. We drew abreast and suddenly the overheat alarm went off. Normal English day, probably 20 degrees ambient.
After the change of coolant, I encountered the issue again mid channel, but in 30 degrees ambient.
I just don't understand why Yanmar took the risk of this design miscalculation getting out of the bag and affecting their reputation. In the long run, it would have been cheaper to recall the affected units, and offer to do the work, no fuss.
However, at least they put up no resistance at my first insistence of changing it. I now expect the unit to gallantly perform as it usually does for many years to come.
I am very satisfied with the engine generally, in performance, economy, ease of use and noise/vibration characteristics.
The engine numbers affected are all those up to approx number 3500, mine was 3179.
No real fuss or argument, except they had their Yanmar dealer (excellent and courteous service, a credit to themselves, take a bow French Marine) change the coolant and clean the heat exchanger first, which in my case did not work.
I first encountered the issue this year, when chasing Magna Carter to get some good photos, at 3650, full revs for about 10 minutes. We drew abreast and suddenly the overheat alarm went off. Normal English day, probably 20 degrees ambient.
After the change of coolant, I encountered the issue again mid channel, but in 30 degrees ambient.
I just don't understand why Yanmar took the risk of this design miscalculation getting out of the bag and affecting their reputation. In the long run, it would have been cheaper to recall the affected units, and offer to do the work, no fuss.
However, at least they put up no resistance at my first insistence of changing it. I now expect the unit to gallantly perform as it usually does for many years to come.
I am very satisfied with the engine generally, in performance, economy, ease of use and noise/vibration characteristics.
