Can anyone tell me how many hours have they put on their Yenmar diesel without making major repairs. Thank You!
- Status
Long life for Yanmar
Yanmar states that 10,000 hours is attainable. This assumes proper preventive maintenance. We have been selling and servicing Yanmar diesels since 1974 and have not seen any major catastrophies. We have rebuilt several of the older models but their problems probably were the result of inadequate care. I'd like to hear from some of the owners of high-hour Yanmars. With all our fresh water and short seasons here on the Great Lakes we probably don't know enough about what can really happen.
Yanmar states that 10,000 hours is attainable. This assumes proper preventive maintenance. We have been selling and servicing Yanmar diesels since 1974 and have not seen any major catastrophies. We have rebuilt several of the older models but their problems probably were the result of inadequate care. I'd like to hear from some of the owners of high-hour Yanmars. With all our fresh water and short seasons here on the Great Lakes we probably don't know enough about what can really happen.
Great reputation
Yanmar diesels have a great reputation and just about everyone who has them raves about them. When I got my 88 35 a couple years ago, the engine had about 900 hours on it, according to the meter. However, the primary filter (which I couldn't get open) was full of what looked like coffee grinds, the secondary filter was pure black and smashed into the bottom of the filter housing which was full of slimy stuff, and all but a little bit of the foam part of the air filter had rotted away and been sucked thru the engine! In retrospect, its amazing it got us to Miami from Ft. Lauderdale (tho' the engine choked just when we got into the Government cut). I might not have bought the boat had I seen this before I bought it. But I changed all the filters and the thing runs like a champ. My guess is that if your Yanmar dies before your boat or you its because of complete negligent or mistreatment. The major bitch I have heard is hard starting on cold days (no glow plugs).
Yanmar diesels have a great reputation and just about everyone who has them raves about them. When I got my 88 35 a couple years ago, the engine had about 900 hours on it, according to the meter. However, the primary filter (which I couldn't get open) was full of what looked like coffee grinds, the secondary filter was pure black and smashed into the bottom of the filter housing which was full of slimy stuff, and all but a little bit of the foam part of the air filter had rotted away and been sucked thru the engine! In retrospect, its amazing it got us to Miami from Ft. Lauderdale (tho' the engine choked just when we got into the Government cut). I might not have bought the boat had I seen this before I bought it. But I changed all the filters and the thing runs like a champ. My guess is that if your Yanmar dies before your boat or you its because of complete negligent or mistreatment. The major bitch I have heard is hard starting on cold days (no glow plugs).
800 hours.
Yanmar SB-8 (ca. 1977) used year round in salt water. I change the engine oil much more often than suggested (cheapest form of prevention), replace the entire diesel oil fuel content in my tank, the water separator, fuel filter, engine zinc, impeller, and water hoses every Spring regardless of actual engine usage during the previous year. I flush the system with Salt Away if I will be leaving the boat unattended for a while. (I am currently replacing the mixing elbow after 7 years and having the carbon deposits in the exhaust manifold sand-blasted away). Engine starts first time every time, and runs like the proverbial Swiss watch in any sea state.
Yanmar SB-8 (ca. 1977) used year round in salt water. I change the engine oil much more often than suggested (cheapest form of prevention), replace the entire diesel oil fuel content in my tank, the water separator, fuel filter, engine zinc, impeller, and water hoses every Spring regardless of actual engine usage during the previous year. I flush the system with Salt Away if I will be leaving the boat unattended for a while. (I am currently replacing the mixing elbow after 7 years and having the carbon deposits in the exhaust manifold sand-blasted away). Engine starts first time every time, and runs like the proverbial Swiss watch in any sea state.
1500 hrs and still going strong
I have 1500 hours on my 44 hp and it runs like a new engine. Starts instantly, never any cranking at all. I change the oil every 100 hours and find the waste oil is still pretty clear. I can't imagine that my engine will need a rebuild for many years. From what I understand, letting a diesel sit is the worst thing you can do to it.
I have 1500 hours on my 44 hp and it runs like a new engine. Starts instantly, never any cranking at all. I change the oil every 100 hours and find the waste oil is still pretty clear. I can't imagine that my engine will need a rebuild for many years. From what I understand, letting a diesel sit is the worst thing you can do to it.
Keeps On Ticking!
Had a 17-year old Yanmar 2GM (13 Hp) raw water cooled diesel. New in 1983. About 1,800 hours, never once failed to start and never failed to keep running. So what is the big deal? Changed oil maybe 5 or 6 times total. Never checked the impeller for 16 years and then it only had a cracked vane. Didn't replace any hoses for 16 years. Never changed transmisison fluid. Never drained or cleaned fuel tank. Never changed any fuel filters. Changed oil filter maybe 4 times. Doesn't say much for my maintenance skills but illustrates just how tough these engines really are! My son still uses the boat every weekend in St. Petersburg.
Had a 17-year old Yanmar 2GM (13 Hp) raw water cooled diesel. New in 1983. About 1,800 hours, never once failed to start and never failed to keep running. So what is the big deal? Changed oil maybe 5 or 6 times total. Never checked the impeller for 16 years and then it only had a cracked vane. Didn't replace any hoses for 16 years. Never changed transmisison fluid. Never drained or cleaned fuel tank. Never changed any fuel filters. Changed oil filter maybe 4 times. Doesn't say much for my maintenance skills but illustrates just how tough these engines really are! My son still uses the boat every weekend in St. Petersburg.
3500 hours and counting
I've got a 1990 P42 with a Yanmar 4JH2TE 62 HP turbocharged diesel. I have cruised the South Pacific with it, and my engine has 3500 hours on it. I just perform ordinary maintenance on it, which includes regular oil changes, double filtering all fuel, replacing the raw water impeller every 600 hours, checking the spray pattern on injectors every 600 hours (and replacing nozzles that are clogged), and other regular maintenance. My engine still starts easily and runs perfectly, even after abusing it by running it for hundreds of hours at low RPM (1200 to 1500) for fuel conservation reasons.
I've got a 1990 P42 with a Yanmar 4JH2TE 62 HP turbocharged diesel. I have cruised the South Pacific with it, and my engine has 3500 hours on it. I just perform ordinary maintenance on it, which includes regular oil changes, double filtering all fuel, replacing the raw water impeller every 600 hours, checking the spray pattern on injectors every 600 hours (and replacing nozzles that are clogged), and other regular maintenance. My engine still starts easily and runs perfectly, even after abusing it by running it for hundreds of hours at low RPM (1200 to 1500) for fuel conservation reasons.
Is it really abusing engine when you run low RPM ?
I keep hearing this, but does it have any real world evidence. I have never really heard anyone say their engine is ruined by this. I can understand "coking" in the exhaust building up over time. But can't that mixing elbow just be replaced? Does it really "ruin" the engine? I have also seen fuel additives that are supposed to clean out the carbons in an engine if there is a suspected build up. What does Torrenson Marine say?
I keep hearing this, but does it have any real world evidence. I have never really heard anyone say their engine is ruined by this. I can understand "coking" in the exhaust building up over time. But can't that mixing elbow just be replaced? Does it really "ruin" the engine? I have also seen fuel additives that are supposed to clean out the carbons in an engine if there is a suspected build up. What does Torrenson Marine say?
- Status