If you could talk to Yanmar...

[John T1594]

If you could talk to the design engineers at Yanmar or any of the other makers of small marine auxilliary engines, what would you suggest for improvements? My suggestions would be 1) a port to easily add a second sensor for a temperature gauge and 2) a drain plug for the oil pan.

 

[Claude]

Yanmar filter

As available on many other engines or after market kits for remote filters, I would like Yanmar to install the oil filter vertically to facilitate the do-it-yourself filter and oil change without major spill.I would also suggest to install slightly larger alternator as standards equipment.It is minor, but excellence is recognizable in details.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Water Pump

I'd like to see the raw water pump on the 2GM20F engine mounted facing forward so you don't have to remove the pump to change the impeller. Also, moving the oil dipstick to somewhere, anywhere, where you can see the hole would help.

 

[Kevin Hostler]

Yanmar

Cut all your prices by 5% ;D

 

[Landsend]

great suggestions so far...

lower cost. oil drain plug, dipstick forward, bigger alternator, acessable raw water pump, horizontal oil filter...How about the two cylinder producing 35-45 hp?and the three cylinder producing 50-65 hp?I'd like that.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Claude, DONE!

By me. To find your interchange filter just ask any auto parts store. The 3GM30F uses Mazda GLC or truck oil filters. If that side mount system is too sloppy for you, (it is for me) then call Summit Racing at 800 230 3030. Ask for their universal remote oil filter adapter. It uses a large Ford filter. Here's mine. Remember, think outside the box.

 

[Miles]

Yanmar

Re-engineer the banjo bolt/crush washer connections on the fuel system so they don't leak. Self bleeding would be nice. Gauges for temp and oil pressure instead of idot lights would be good too.

 

[Andy]

Remote filter by Fred

Fred, while I've been amazed and impressed by a lot of your work, the remote filter makes me a little nervous. The filter is so remote that I'm wondering if the lil Yanni oil pump has enough pressure/volume to push all the way there and back efficiently. That and the heal of the boat would make me a little nervous about your set-up. Of course, I'm a company man myself and prefer factory originals when it comes to filters. (a little spoiled, it has to be Heinz or its not Ketchup and it has to be Mount Gay or its just a drink).Back to the remote filter=did you research this or just start turning wrenches until you found one that fit nice? Was Summit Racing any help on this?You know guys, if you drain the oil FIRST its really not that messy! (hee hee)

 

[abe]

I thought you can only use Yanmar filters...

can someone clarify that. It had to do with opening pressures for the filter and therefore could not use the Mazda filter. Please clarify, trust your opinion Fred.

 

[David Whitworth]

Add digital gauges

Just a comment on the gauges issue and the problem with Yanmar providing only one sensor for temperature. (Note that you can't equip these engines safely with a "T" adaptor to allow two temperature sensors.)One solution is to install a digital temperature device that can display the actual temperature of the engine AND sound an alarm at a pre-programmed critical temperature. These instuments can also output NMEA data to any NMEA capable diplays on the boatso you need only one sensor even if you have several displays.I am about to install one such device manufactured by CruzPro (see link below) on my Hunter 33. The manufacturer tells me that the instrument is pre-loaded with response curves for most major sensors including Yanmar sensors (which are in fact made by Teledyne).I will post the results early in the new year once the job is completed. Presumable everyone including Yanmar will eventually go to digital instruments.

 

[JC on Bainbridge]

Fred: That sure is a nice clean engine box

Nice.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Thanks guys, sorry I'm late. I was salivating over

Davids post about his gauges.Miles, I did that too. The rubber replacement washer part numbers from Isuzu are in the project forum. Just a second, be right back, Try this; http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73257662603&fno=17 Sometimes the address is too long. If so just go to the photo/project forum and drop down about 10 lines to:Yanmar 3GM30F fuel filter leak fix. It's all there, so no sense in typing it over here. Andy, I searched the world for 15 years with no luck. I could have had a remote filter system custom built from several sources but they all were quoting $400 or more. When I found a kit at Summit for $39.95, I went for it. After using it for 450 hours I can recommend a couple of things. Use larger hose clamps. The kit comes with little fuel hose style clamps. Get wider ones for better sealing. Also snug up the block fitting. It's O-Ring can start to leak after a while. A eighth of a turn tighter does it. And the biggest advantage to this kit is how easy it is to remove the filter for replacement without making a mess. Just pull it out of its' tie wrap retainer and hold it over a pan while loosening. For a new filter (or to reuse an drained filter), FILL IT WITH OIL FIRST and then reinstall the filter. That's an old hot rodder trick that's even more valuable on a diesel. And as far as oil pump pressure, no sweat. The pump is gear driven so it's not going to fail. It looks like a rotary engine. And of course oil is positive displacement so it can be sent quit a distance in plumbing before anything bad happens. This filter length is nothing.Abe, many owners think only Yanmar filters can be used. That must be a marketing ploy they developed AFTER I bought mine. Not true. Use a quality filter and you'll be just fine.P.S. DUH! Sorry JC! I forgot to say thanks. THANKS!

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Abe, that sound like a crock! Yanmar charges

twice as much for a filter as an auto parts store. I've been using Mazda numbered filters since the eighties with no problem. Of course now I use a Ford style.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

David, How much for the guage?

They just tell you to call a dealer and those are probably closed. I want to know now! Cool product!

 

[Steve Dion]

Abe, keep using your Yanmar filters!

Abe:There is not enough savings by using brand x filters. There have been many posts on the internet about Fram oil filters exploding on motorcycles. There is also a fellow that has cut these filters open and has found major defencies in the construction. I doubt that you change your filter more than once a year. How much are you going to save by purchasing a potential deficient oil filter? What do you think that Fram, Wix or Napa is going to say when you tell them that their filter crapped out on your Yanmar filter that was designed for a GASOLINE powered Mazada engine.I think they are going to say something like this filter was NOT designed for that engine, Thank you!!!!It is your money!

 

[Steve Dion]

Many of these issues have been addressed.

Many of these issues have been addressed with the new YM series of engines. Very nice and much quieter too.

 

[Andy]

More Questions for Fred the Gadget Guy

Lets see, I have 3 pulleys on my engine including the alternator. Fred has those 3 AND, 1,2,3,4,5 more? One looks like a piston style compressor for AC or frig, one is the nifty hydraulic pressure pump (wet kit in truck talk) I'm not sure but that one may be for the supercharger! Fred, please do tell what they are all for. And have you ever thought of using the wet kit to have a hydraulic operated davit on the aft?

 

[Jerry]

Cruz Pro gauge

I am a fan of instrumentation with digital readouts and of Cruz Pro instruments in particular. I am in the process of replacing many of my non-working Hunter supplied gauges with their Cruz Pro equivalents. The T30 is one I have and it was very easy to install and calibrate and has been without problems this past year. Sure is nice to know what the water temperature is. the FU30 Fuel gauge is next on the list

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Andy we think alike. At least about boats.

That picture is #45 on my web site. #44 has an explanation of all the pulleys and pumps, including the hydraulic primary winch used for lifting the dingy onto the davits. The winch modification is seen on several previous photos and a couple of pictures following the engine. Oh hell, check out the site. Here.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Steve, regarding Yanmar oil filters,

What determines suitability to a task (filters) is first oil volume, then maybe pressure. A diesel engine is no more likely to adversely affect an oil filter than is a similar sized gasoline engine. Just use a good one like Wix and change it every so often.