Is 886 hours on a Universal 12 horse power 1983 a lot of hours? How many hours can one expect prior to an overhaul?
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Hayden Watson
1900 and going strong
I have an '88 C30 with a universal XP25 which has 1900 hrs. on it. It starts with 10 seconds of glow plugs in the coldest weather. It doesn’t smoke and runs strong. The oil level might be 1 cup below full at oil change time (100 hrs.) Life span all depends on how the engine is treated. Over the road truck engines run 200,000 to 500,000 miles before needing an overhaul. This would be 4,000 to 10,000 hrs. not including idle time. There are industrial engines that are run continuously for years on end that are never shut off. They change the oil while it is running.
I have an '88 C30 with a universal XP25 which has 1900 hrs. on it. It starts with 10 seconds of glow plugs in the coldest weather. It doesn’t smoke and runs strong. The oil level might be 1 cup below full at oil change time (100 hrs.) Life span all depends on how the engine is treated. Over the road truck engines run 200,000 to 500,000 miles before needing an overhaul. This would be 4,000 to 10,000 hrs. not including idle time. There are industrial engines that are run continuously for years on end that are never shut off. They change the oil while it is running.
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Bob
Maintenance is the key...
Changing oil regularly and generally maintaining your engine, while repairing/replacing components when needed rather than waiting awhile will go a long way in terms of reliability. Once neglected, most adverse affects are irreversible. Usually, Westerbeke/Universal dealers provide classroom training (for a nominal fee) which is well worth the money (usually $150 - $175). Cheers, Bob
Changing oil regularly and generally maintaining your engine, while repairing/replacing components when needed rather than waiting awhile will go a long way in terms of reliability. Once neglected, most adverse affects are irreversible. Usually, Westerbeke/Universal dealers provide classroom training (for a nominal fee) which is well worth the money (usually $150 - $175). Cheers, Bob
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Vic
Don't forget these engines ...
are used commercially as well where 800 hours can easily be put on in a year.
are used commercially as well where 800 hours can easily be put on in a year.
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EarlofShaw
Preventive Maintenance
I don't know sailing from Shinola, but I do know a thing or two about internal combustion engines. There is NO substitute for oil and oil filter changes on a regular basis: This prevents build-up of carbon deposits which "scorch" pistons and cylinders, leading to reduced compression and oil consumption. I change the oil and oil filter in my Ford Ranger every 3,000 miles. I do this BEFORE it begins to darken from carbon deposits. The same holds true for air filters: They are usually cheap, so keeping several on hand and replacing them, even prior to scheduled maintenance, is no biggie. 900 hours on a diesel engine, even one at sea, doesn't sound like much. Diesels run at lower temperatures and r.p.m.s than gasoline engines, so that they DO have incredibly long lives, as previous posts indicate. Best Wishes
I don't know sailing from Shinola, but I do know a thing or two about internal combustion engines. There is NO substitute for oil and oil filter changes on a regular basis: This prevents build-up of carbon deposits which "scorch" pistons and cylinders, leading to reduced compression and oil consumption. I change the oil and oil filter in my Ford Ranger every 3,000 miles. I do this BEFORE it begins to darken from carbon deposits. The same holds true for air filters: They are usually cheap, so keeping several on hand and replacing them, even prior to scheduled maintenance, is no biggie. 900 hours on a diesel engine, even one at sea, doesn't sound like much. Diesels run at lower temperatures and r.p.m.s than gasoline engines, so that they DO have incredibly long lives, as previous posts indicate. Best Wishes
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Melody Miller
Engine Life
Hi Glen: As I'm typing I don't recall if you said whether or not your engine was fresh water cooled. If it isn't, flush it with fresh water from time to time to remove a good deal of the salt. Alternatively, there is a solution that you flush with that is supposed to desolve salt. I'll be doing this with my Atomic -4 (affectionately known as "the bomb.") Good luck, Melody
Hi Glen: As I'm typing I don't recall if you said whether or not your engine was fresh water cooled. If it isn't, flush it with fresh water from time to time to remove a good deal of the salt. Alternatively, there is a solution that you flush with that is supposed to desolve salt. I'll be doing this with my Atomic -4 (affectionately known as "the bomb.") Good luck, Melody
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Tom
I've heard that 800 hours on a deisel is just past
the break in period. This is tongue in cheek but that is really not alot of hours. If anything it sounds like the engine was underutilized. I have heard time and again that it is better to run the deisel often than let it sit idle. 880 hours over 18 years is only about 50 hours a year. That seems very light. But does the engine start right up? Does it run well? If yes to both answers than I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep an eye on things like the exhaust elbow,(or just replace it now -- cheap insurance) internal zincs and the oil level.. I hear numerous times that a deisel that is maintained (regular oil changes, replace zincs and worn items, etc) with easily last 5,000 hours.
the break in period. This is tongue in cheek but that is really not alot of hours. If anything it sounds like the engine was underutilized. I have heard time and again that it is better to run the deisel often than let it sit idle. 880 hours over 18 years is only about 50 hours a year. That seems very light. But does the engine start right up? Does it run well? If yes to both answers than I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep an eye on things like the exhaust elbow,(or just replace it now -- cheap insurance) internal zincs and the oil level.. I hear numerous times that a deisel that is maintained (regular oil changes, replace zincs and worn items, etc) with easily last 5,000 hours.
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David Hirtle
I took a Universal 5411, raw water cooled installed on a 1980, 28' O;day with approximately 2,000 from Massachusetts to Fla. via the Intracoastal without a hitch....Maintenance. Change your oil @ the end of every season, fuel filters likewise. Maintain the injectors by bench checking every other year....Clean fuel, clean oil, cool engine...what more can you ask for!
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Cliff Carter
Dead Diesel
We purchased a 1977 C30 a year ago with 756 hours on the YSE-12 Yanmar 12 HP engine. I knew by the state of the engine that it had not been looked after and basically had been abused. Since I was not crazy about the single cylinder engine it was our intent to replace it with a 2 or 3 cylinder in the future, when funds permitted. I had to replace the water pump (raw water cooled) and then re-do the head because of a broken valve spring. The engine made it to 778 hours and then it died (RIP). Turned the rod bearing. I have the engine mostly dismantled but have not taken the crank out yet as it is seized. One of two things could have caused the failure. Overheating due to blockage of sea water getting to the engine OR oil pump failure with again overheats the engine with fatal results. So the future arrived sooner than later and a re-power is in this winters work project list. Anyone have a recommendation on which diesel is the easiest to convert to? BTW on a positive note my wife now tells me that we have a beautiful on the water cottage at the marina until the engine is replaced. S/V PlusOne (less an engine) #598 Oak Bay Marina, Victoria, B.C.
We purchased a 1977 C30 a year ago with 756 hours on the YSE-12 Yanmar 12 HP engine. I knew by the state of the engine that it had not been looked after and basically had been abused. Since I was not crazy about the single cylinder engine it was our intent to replace it with a 2 or 3 cylinder in the future, when funds permitted. I had to replace the water pump (raw water cooled) and then re-do the head because of a broken valve spring. The engine made it to 778 hours and then it died (RIP). Turned the rod bearing. I have the engine mostly dismantled but have not taken the crank out yet as it is seized. One of two things could have caused the failure. Overheating due to blockage of sea water getting to the engine OR oil pump failure with again overheats the engine with fatal results. So the future arrived sooner than later and a re-power is in this winters work project list. Anyone have a recommendation on which diesel is the easiest to convert to? BTW on a positive note my wife now tells me that we have a beautiful on the water cottage at the marina until the engine is replaced. S/V PlusOne (less an engine) #598 Oak Bay Marina, Victoria, B.C.
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Dakota Jim Russell
True Hours?
I think I might want to ask another question. Are those really the hours . . . 886 hours divided by 18 years means only 46 hours per year. Either the previous owner didn't sail much, or didn't need the engine much. Such might raise the question of the engine being underused, underserviced, and thus needing repair earlier from such disuse. An idle engine should be turned over periodically to keep the interior coated with oil. Thus a well used, well maintained engine will last longer than one that is put on the shelf and not properly maintained.
I think I might want to ask another question. Are those really the hours . . . 886 hours divided by 18 years means only 46 hours per year. Either the previous owner didn't sail much, or didn't need the engine much. Such might raise the question of the engine being underused, underserviced, and thus needing repair earlier from such disuse. An idle engine should be turned over periodically to keep the interior coated with oil. Thus a well used, well maintained engine will last longer than one that is put on the shelf and not properly maintained.
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