I'm interested in a 1987 boat with an 18 horse FWC Yanmar engine which was
installed new in 1997. The engine (and installation) looks brand new. The
hitch (maybe, and that's why I'm asking) is that the hour meter only shows
180 hours, and I have no idea how those hours are distributed time-wise.

I'm concerned that only 180 hours in 7 years may mean that internal rust may
be a problem. The broker has suggested that an engine surveyer could do
a "2 hour" presale look, but I'm wondering how he'd know?

So my question is....how would you know? Good deal...or pass?
Norm B

Comments below.

Doug
s/v Callista

"engsol" wrote in message
...
I'm interested in a 1987 boat with an 18 horse FWC Yanmar engine which was
installed new in 1997. The engine (and installation) looks brand new. The
hitch (maybe, and that's why I'm asking) is that the hour meter only shows
180 hours, and I have no idea how those hours are distributed time-wise.

There is no way you can know this from an hour meter.

I'm concerned that only 180 hours in 7 years may mean that internal rust
may
be a problem.

That's 25 hours per year which is not so bad for a boat that is used
on the weekends during the summer months. As long as the engine
has had antifreeze which includes rust inhibitor (normally the case)
there should be no internal rust to speak of. A new impellor in the
raw water side would be a good idea.

The broker has suggested that an engine surveyer could do
a "2 hour" presale look, but I'm wondering how he'd know?

Probably wouldn't hurt to have this done. Not sure what this
procedure is, but I would hope that he/she would pull the head and heat
exchanger and look for scale in the water galleries.

So my question is....how would you know? Good deal...or pass?
Norm B

I don't see how one can tell you this. 7 years and 180 hours isn't
squat for a FWC diesel as long as it was kept up including changing
the zincs. Probably want to pull the zincs and check them.

On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 23:21:26 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

The broker has suggested that an engine surveyer could do
a "2 hour" presale look, but I'm wondering how he'd know?

Probably wouldn't hurt to have this done. Not sure what this
procedure is, but I would hope that he/she would pull the head and heat
exchanger and look for scale in the water galleries.

==============================================

Any kind of "tear down" procedure would be highly unusual for an
engine survey, nor would most sellers permit it.

In addition to having an expert take a look at this engine, I assume you would
also want a sea trial. The way the engine starts up, or doesn't, and the way
it runs, or doesn't, will tell you most of what you need to know. You could
probably expect some rough starting, followed by either some blue or white
smoke. By time the engine warms up to full operating temperature, the
roughness and smoke should clear up. Find out what the max rpm for the engine
is (ought be in the 3400 to 3600 rpm range) and see if you can pull those rpms.
Listen, and look, hard when you do this.

If it starts and runs smoothly, there is a good chance you will have a boat
with a great engine. If it doesn't, you may want to pass.

On 02 Sep 2004 20:59:55 GMT, (Hmseconomy) wrote:

In addition to having an expert take a look at this engine, I assume you would
also want a sea trial. The way the engine starts up, or doesn't, and the way
it runs, or doesn't, will tell you most of what you need to know. You could
probably expect some rough starting, followed by either some blue or white
smoke. By time the engine warms up to full operating temperature, the
roughness and smoke should clear up. Find out what the max rpm for the engine
is (ought be in the 3400 to 3600 rpm range) and see if you can pull those rpms.
Listen, and look, hard when you do this.

If it starts and runs smoothly, there is a good chance you will have a boat
with a great engine. If it doesn't, you may want to pass.


Thanks for the input and wise advice. My main concern is that when an engine is
idle for a long period (whatever that means) the oil drains from the cylinder walls,
and condesation deposits water on the walls, leading to rust. In this case, (let me
hasten to say I'm not a Diesel expert), I'd expect the compression to be low(er),
resulting in a hard start. Plus, if severe enough, excessive blow-by would show
up as blue smoke.

Actually it's a moot point now. I visited the boat (Sun 27) this morning,and noticed
bright spots in the hull while diving into the bowels of the V-berth lockers. It was sunlight
shining through "thin" spots in the hull. Voids? That, plus the hull to deck joint seemed
to be secure with 10-32 bolts on 1 foot centers, was enough to make me walk away from the boat,

The search goes on.
Norm B