What is the typical life expectancy of a well maintaine deisel engine.
How many hours could you reasonably expect without a maor overhaul?
How many hours could you reasonably expect without a maor overhaul?
Engine hours
- Thread starter mageekenneth
- Start date
A marine diesel engine will last much longer than 1500 - 2000 hours
particularly if one pays attention to regular oil changes and oil filter
changes. The only other items to keep in good order are fuel filters and
valve adjustments and the occasional flush of the cooling system. The
engines will usually outlast the boat.
Unfortunately, the engine is usually the most neglected part of the boat
until it starts giving problems. I'm in the middle of rebuilding a friends
MD6A which we pulled from his Albin Vega. I would be disappointed if a
marine diesel didn't last 5,000 to 8,000 hours between rebuilds.
For further information check
www.boatsafe.com
Regards
Perry Basden
Windsor, Ontario
particularly if one pays attention to regular oil changes and oil filter
changes. The only other items to keep in good order are fuel filters and
valve adjustments and the occasional flush of the cooling system. The
engines will usually outlast the boat.
Unfortunately, the engine is usually the most neglected part of the boat
until it starts giving problems. I'm in the middle of rebuilding a friends
MD6A which we pulled from his Albin Vega. I would be disappointed if a
marine diesel didn't last 5,000 to 8,000 hours between rebuilds.
For further information check
The Life Expectancy of the Marine Engine | Boat Safe | Water Sports, Product Reviews, and Nautical News
The Life Expectancy of the Marine Engine The average marine gasoline engine runs for 1,500 hours before needing a major overhaul. The average marine diesel engine will run for more than three times that long and log an average 5,000 hours under the same conditions. The number of hours that…
Regards
Perry Basden
Windsor, Ontario
Now that is interesting. Sin Tacha's engine hour meter just flicked
over 5900 hours, about 250 hours per year, on her 1983 Yanmar 2GMF. I
don't know if the hour meter was installed with the engine, or pre-
dated it. However, when I bought the boat the Yanmar had been in
there for more than 20 years, and still looked to be in pristine
condition, indicating that maybe it was well cared for.
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
over 5900 hours, about 250 hours per year, on her 1983 Yanmar 2GMF. I
don't know if the hour meter was installed with the engine, or pre-
dated it. However, when I bought the boat the Yanmar had been in
there for more than 20 years, and still looked to be in pristine
condition, indicating that maybe it was well cared for.
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
A lot of the old 7.3 navistar truck engines and mercedes engines go 300,000 miles. 300000 miles /50mph is 6000 hours. My old truck has 200,000 miles on it and the compression has only dropped 10% of what it was when new. I would guess a marine engine has a lot easier use on it (not as much start and stop) so the estimates of 6000 + hours seem feasible.
Hi All
Unless you know, in detail, the whole history of your engine then all is guesswork. Even if the engine has been pampered from new will not guarantee anything.
Boat engines, on average in the UK, are used about 50 hours a year. If this was the case then the 5000 hours quoted would mean 100 year life!!! Most Volvo MD6A and MD7A are now approaching 30 - 35 years in age. The problem with a rebuild of these old Volvos is the cost and availability of the spares and at the end you still have a 35 year old engine...
All in my opinion of course!
Cheers
Steve B
Unless you know, in detail, the whole history of your engine then all is guesswork. Even if the engine has been pampered from new will not guarantee anything.
Boat engines, on average in the UK, are used about 50 hours a year. If this was the case then the 5000 hours quoted would mean 100 year life!!! Most Volvo MD6A and MD7A are now approaching 30 - 35 years in age. The problem with a rebuild of these old Volvos is the cost and availability of the spares and at the end you still have a 35 year old engine...
All in my opinion of course!
Cheers
Steve B
Interesting, Steve .... only 50 hours a year in the UK.
So far I've put on 500 hours in just under 3 years, and I'm under
sail a lot. On my last trip up to Desolation Sound I kept a log of
sailing/motoring times and it was almost dead even: about 50 hours
sailing and 51 hours under power.
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
So far I've put on 500 hours in just under 3 years, and I'm under
sail a lot. On my last trip up to Desolation Sound I kept a log of
sailing/motoring times and it was almost dead even: about 50 hours
sailing and 51 hours under power.
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
Hi Peter
Ive had my Beta installed for close on 9 years and hourmeter says 359. I tend to motor off and on my pontoon berth and sail if I can.... Luckily nowhere is very far in The Solent. Last weekend I engined for 6 hours and sailed for 4 minutes!!!
Cheers
Steve B
Ive had my Beta installed for close on 9 years and hourmeter says 359. I tend to motor off and on my pontoon berth and sail if I can.... Luckily nowhere is very far in The Solent. Last weekend I engined for 6 hours and sailed for 4 minutes!!!
Cheers
Steve B
Back when we were 'weekend' sailing in the UK I reckon we did only about 60-70 hours per season under engine and knowing where SteveB's berth is compared to where we moored, I can well believe he's only doing 50 hours a year.
That said, since we've been cruising 6 months/year, our annual engine hours have jumped into the 250-350 range. IMO you did well with your 50/50 split around Desolation Sound; we've managed a sailing v motoring average of near to 50% just once out of five years and we certainly sail much more than the majority of other cruising yachts that we meet.
Bob Carlisle
Spring Fever 1776
That said, since we've been cruising 6 months/year, our annual engine hours have jumped into the 250-350 range. IMO you did well with your 50/50 split around Desolation Sound; we've managed a sailing v motoring average of near to 50% just once out of five years and we certainly sail much more than the majority of other cruising yachts that we meet.
Bob Carlisle
Spring Fever 1776
Commercial fishermen get 10,000 hours or more, and then may rebuild.Nicholas Walsh
Nicholas H. Walsh P.A.
111 Commercial Street
Portland Maine 04101
Tel. 207/772-2191
fax 207/774-3940
This email was sent from the law firm of Nicholas H. Walsh P.A. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you suspect that you were not intended to receive this email, please delete it and notify us as soon as possible. Thank you.
From: Perry Basden
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 4:03 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Re: Engine hoursA marine diesel engine will last much longer than 1500 - 2000 hours
particularly if one pays attention to regular oil changes and oil filter
changes. The only other items to keep in good order are fuel filters and
valve adjustments and the occasional flush of the cooling system. The
engines will usually outlast the boat.
Unfortunately, the engine is usually the most neglected part of the boat
until it starts giving problems. I'm in the middle of rebuilding a friends
MD6A which we pulled from his Albin Vega. I would be disappointed if a
marine diesel didn't last 5,000 to 8,000 hours between rebuilds.
For further information check
www.boatsafe.com
Regards
Perry Basden
Windsor, Ontario
Nicholas H. Walsh P.A.
111 Commercial Street
Portland Maine 04101
Tel. 207/772-2191
fax 207/774-3940
This email was sent from the law firm of Nicholas H. Walsh P.A. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you suspect that you were not intended to receive this email, please delete it and notify us as soon as possible. Thank you.
From: Perry Basden
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 4:03 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Re: Engine hoursA marine diesel engine will last much longer than 1500 - 2000 hours
particularly if one pays attention to regular oil changes and oil filter
changes. The only other items to keep in good order are fuel filters and
valve adjustments and the occasional flush of the cooling system. The
engines will usually outlast the boat.
Unfortunately, the engine is usually the most neglected part of the boat
until it starts giving problems. I'm in the middle of rebuilding a friends
MD6A which we pulled from his Albin Vega. I would be disappointed if a
marine diesel didn't last 5,000 to 8,000 hours between rebuilds.
For further information check
The Life Expectancy of the Marine Engine | Boat Safe | Water Sports, Product Reviews, and Nautical News
The Life Expectancy of the Marine Engine The average marine gasoline engine runs for 1,500 hours before needing a major overhaul. The average marine diesel engine will run for more than three times that long and log an average 5,000 hours under the same conditions. The number of hours that…
Regards
Perry Basden
Windsor, Ontario
Perry, how are finding the availability of parts for your rebuild? Any
problems getting all the bits and pieces? Thanks, Trev (V2915
problems getting all the bits and pieces? Thanks, Trev (V2915
Hello, Trevor.
I checked parts availability with Volvo Penta in British Columbia before we
stripped the engine down. We were considering replacing the whole engine
but the owner didn't want to put that much money into an old but dearly
loved boat.
Parts are getting harder to find but we managed to get a set of piston
rings, connecting rod bearings and all the necessary seals. The head was
sent to a local automotive machine shop for rework. The valves were still
good and were able to be seated properly without replacement. The previous
owner had the head reworked about 15 years ago. Unfortunately, the valves
had been ground to the same angle as the valve seats. Perhaps that's one
reason why the current owner was never satisfied with the operation of the
engine.
I understand that the Combi transmissions have all been bought up by one
individual and the prices have now skyrocketed beyond believe. It certainly
encourages one to consider a whole new drive train should the transmission
fail.
We should have the engine back together and running before installation,
probably by the end of the week. I'll let you know how we make out.
On another note concerning my previous post re: engine life, the only other
potentially problematic area of diesel engine life is the injection pump.
Again, good clean fuel with lots of filtration will prolong the life of the
pump. Bosch pumps for the MD6A are apparently no longer available... at
least from what I've been told. It might just be a Canadian thing. Perhaps
others have had more luck with replacement pumps. We did manage to get the
Bosch rebuilt at a local diesel engine specialty shop.
Regards
Perry Basden
Windsor, Ontario
I checked parts availability with Volvo Penta in British Columbia before we
stripped the engine down. We were considering replacing the whole engine
but the owner didn't want to put that much money into an old but dearly
loved boat.
Parts are getting harder to find but we managed to get a set of piston
rings, connecting rod bearings and all the necessary seals. The head was
sent to a local automotive machine shop for rework. The valves were still
good and were able to be seated properly without replacement. The previous
owner had the head reworked about 15 years ago. Unfortunately, the valves
had been ground to the same angle as the valve seats. Perhaps that's one
reason why the current owner was never satisfied with the operation of the
engine.
I understand that the Combi transmissions have all been bought up by one
individual and the prices have now skyrocketed beyond believe. It certainly
encourages one to consider a whole new drive train should the transmission
fail.
We should have the engine back together and running before installation,
probably by the end of the week. I'll let you know how we make out.
On another note concerning my previous post re: engine life, the only other
potentially problematic area of diesel engine life is the injection pump.
Again, good clean fuel with lots of filtration will prolong the life of the
pump. Bosch pumps for the MD6A are apparently no longer available... at
least from what I've been told. It might just be a Canadian thing. Perhaps
others have had more luck with replacement pumps. We did manage to get the
Bosch rebuilt at a local diesel engine specialty shop.
Regards
Perry Basden
Windsor, Ontario
Thanks Perry, what about cylinder sleeves? Trev (V2915)
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.comFrom: basden@...: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:58:14 -0400Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Re: Engine hours
Hello, Trevor.I checked parts availability with Volvo Penta in British Columbia before we stripped the engine down. We were considering replacing the whole engine but the owner didn't want to put that much money into an old but dearly loved boat.Parts are getting harder to find but we managed to get a set of piston rings, connecting rod bearings and all the necessary seals. The head was sent to a local automotive machine shop for rework. The valves were still good and were able to be seated properly without replacement. The previous owner had the head reworked about 15 years ago. Unfortunately, the valves had been ground to the same angle as the valve seats. Perhaps that's one reason why the current owner was never satisfied with the operation of the engine.I understand that the Combi transmissions have all been bought up by one individual and the prices have now skyrocketed beyond believe. It certainly encourages one to consider a whole new drive train should the transmission fail.We should have the engine back together and running before installation, probably by the end of the week. I'll let you know how we make out.On another note concerning my previous post re: engine life, the only other potentially problematic area of diesel engine life is the injection pump. Again, good clean fuel with lots of filtration will prolong the life of the pump. Bosch pumps for the MD6A are apparently no longer available... at least from what I've been told. It might just be a Canadian thing. Perhaps others have had more luck with replacement pumps. We did manage to get the Bosch rebuilt at a local diesel engine specialty shop.RegardsPerry BasdenWindsor, Ontario
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.comFrom: basden@...: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:58:14 -0400Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Re: Engine hours
Hello, Trevor.I checked parts availability with Volvo Penta in British Columbia before we stripped the engine down. We were considering replacing the whole engine but the owner didn't want to put that much money into an old but dearly loved boat.Parts are getting harder to find but we managed to get a set of piston rings, connecting rod bearings and all the necessary seals. The head was sent to a local automotive machine shop for rework. The valves were still good and were able to be seated properly without replacement. The previous owner had the head reworked about 15 years ago. Unfortunately, the valves had been ground to the same angle as the valve seats. Perhaps that's one reason why the current owner was never satisfied with the operation of the engine.I understand that the Combi transmissions have all been bought up by one individual and the prices have now skyrocketed beyond believe. It certainly encourages one to consider a whole new drive train should the transmission fail.We should have the engine back together and running before installation, probably by the end of the week. I'll let you know how we make out.On another note concerning my previous post re: engine life, the only other potentially problematic area of diesel engine life is the injection pump. Again, good clean fuel with lots of filtration will prolong the life of the pump. Bosch pumps for the MD6A are apparently no longer available... at least from what I've been told. It might just be a Canadian thing. Perhaps others have had more luck with replacement pumps. We did manage to get the Bosch rebuilt at a local diesel engine specialty shop.RegardsPerry BasdenWindsor, Ontario
The MD6A is not a sleeved engine but has a full cast iron block. I checked
the bores at 90 degrees as well as at several positions vertically to ensure
that they were not out of parallel and within tolerance. All they needed
was a light honing.
Regards
Perry
the bores at 90 degrees as well as at several positions vertically to ensure
that they were not out of parallel and within tolerance. All they needed
was a light honing.
Regards
Perry